HERMIA         Do you not jest?

HELENA                     Yes, sooth, and so do you.

LYSANDER     Demetrius, I will keep my word with thee.

DEMETRIUS   I would I had your bond; for I perceive

A weak bond holds you. I’ll not trust your word.

LYSANDER     What, should I hurt her, strike her, kill her dead?

Although I hate her, I’ll not harm her so.    (3.2.265-270)

Do you not jest? Hermia can’t believe how horrible Lysander’s being, insulting her, telling her he hates her, that she should just leave him alone; surely this is just a joke? That needles Helena from her silence: yes, sooth, and so do you. It HAS to be a joke, all of this, and you’re in on it! Stop pretending! But Lysander and Demetrius, at this point, seem to have eyes only for each other as they spoil for a fight. Demetrius, I will keep my word with thee. I’ve said I’ll answer your challenge, and I will. But Demetrius reckons he has the upper hand, because—presumably—Hermia is still clinging to Lysander, preventing him from going anywhere. I would I had your bond, an actual written assurance, for I perceive a weak bond holds you. I don’t trust a word you’re saying, and, besides, your girlfriend is holding you back! Ha, loser! I’ll not trust your word, you slippery bastard. (One might concur, although one has to remember, in fairness, that they are both out of their trees on magic flower juice at this point.) Well what am I meant to do about it? retorts Lysander, presumably struggling with Hermia all the while. What, should I hurt her, strike her, kill her dead? Are you advocating actual violence towards a woman? I’m trying to get out of this without hurting anyone (except you, Demetrius, obviously). Although I hate her, I’ll not harm her so. And that’s really horrid, demonstrating to Hermia that she has no power, that she’s at Lysander’s mercy, that he’s even thought about the possibility of hurting her physically, and that he really, really doesn’t care anymore.