Theseus, the Duke of Athens, is thinking about setting up a marriage with Hippolyta, Theseus is planning a very large wedding. Then Egeus enters, after come his daughter Hermia, her Lysander, and her suitor Demetrius. Egeus would tell Theseus that Hermia does not want to marry Demetrius, she instead wanted to marry Lysander. He would ask if he can end Hermia with death if she does not follow his rules. Theseus agrees that Hermia's must obey her father, and tells her that she must marry the man her father chooses. Lysander is upset and states that his annoyance , but is challenged by the law. Furthermore Lysander and Hermia than decide to runaway at night into the woods surrounding the town, where they can escape the stiff law and get married. They trust Helena and tell her the plan. Helena who is madly in love with Demetrius tells them that Lysander and Hermia are escaping to possibly win his