1. Demetrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream:
- Demetrius is one of the four Athenian lovers involved in the play's central love conflict.
- He is initially in love with Hermia, but due to Puck's mischief with a love potion, his affections become temporarily redirected to Helena.
- Demetrius is often portrayed as arrogant, self-absorbed, and dismissive of Hermia's true feelings for him.
- His portrayal also showcases a theme of blind infatuation and the transformative power of love as his feelings shift throughout the play.
2. Demetrius in Titus Andronicus:
- Demetrius is one of the two sons of Titus Andronicus, the protagonist of the play.
- He and his brother Chiron play significant roles in the tragic unfolding of events that befall the Andronicus family.
- Demetrius, along with Chiron, are depicted as cruel, violent, and disrespectful towards others.
- Their actions set in motion a chain of revenge and destruction, and Demetrius, despite his name, represents a lack of virtue and integrity.
In both plays, Demetrius is a flawed character whose actions drive the plot forward and contribute to the themes and conflicts central to Shakespeare's storytelling. Through these characters, Shakespeare explores topics such as love, desire, revenge, and the complex nature of human nature.