Both Uses of
compel
in
A Midsummer Night's Dream
- DEMETRIUS If she cannot entreat, I can compel.†
Scene 3.2 *compel = force; or (more rarely) convince
- LYSANDER Thou canst compel no more than she entreat; Thy threats have no more strength than her weak prayers.†
Scene 3.2
Definition:
to force someone to do something
or more rarely:
to convince someone to do something
or more rarely:
to convince someone to do something
Most typically, compel describes an external influence forcing someone to do something, but it can also describe being driven by an internal desire.