Theseus's View of Lovers' Adventures in "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

In Shakespeare's play, Theseus is a rational, pragmatic ruler who dismisses romantic love as an "idle" pastime. He calls Demetrius's pursuit of Helena a mere "infatuation" and mocks his prior adoration of Hermia as a "schoolboy's passion." Theseus sees lovers' adventures as shallow and fleeting, unworthy compared to his military exploits and ducal duties.