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“I wooed thee”
Mythological Reference
Act 1,
Scene 1
Lines 16-17

An explanation of the reference to Theseus and Hippolyta’s history in Act 1, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Theseus 

Hippolyta, I wooed thee with my sword,
And won thy love doing thee injuries.

According to Greek mythology, Theseus was the founder and first ruler of the city of Athens, and Hippolyta was the queen of the Amazons, a tribe of female warriors. Theseus defeated the Amazons in battle and took Hippolyta as his prisoner, but he was so impressed by her that he fell in love and married her. 

According to one version of the myth, Hippolyta fell equally in love with Theseus, but according to another version, she only submitted to the marriage because, as Theseus' prisoner, she had no better option. Which version do you think fits Shakespeare's depiction of Hippolyta?