Final answer:
Egeus gives Hermia the choice of either facing death or becoming a nun dedicated to the goddess Diana, both of which are consequences of her refusal to marry the man he has chosen for her, highlighting the strict parental authority of the time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question refers to A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare, specifically focusing on the choices Egeus gives his daughter Hermia in the play. Egeus presents Hermia with two harsh options due to her disobedience to his wishes for her to marry Demetrius, the man Egeus has chosen for her. Hermia's first option is to die. This extreme choice originates from Athenian law, which grants a father the right to decide his daughter's fate. The second option is for Hermia to forsake all worldly connections and become a nun, living a life of celibacy in devotion to the goddess Diana.
Both options represent Egeus's control over Hermia and highlight the themes of parental authority and the limited autonomy of women during the era portrayed in the play. Egeus's ultimatum sheds light on the conflict between personal desires and social obligations that permeates the play.