Main Characters Theseus--Duke of Athens Egeus--Hermia's father Leysander, Demetrius--Hermia's suitors Philostrate--master of ceremonies Quince, Snug, Bottom, Flute, Snout, Starveling--players Hippolyta--Queen of the Amazons Hermia--Egeus's daughter Helena--in love with Demetrius Oberon--fairy king Titania--fairy queen Puck, Peas-blossom, Cobweb, Moth, Mustard-seed--fairies
A (Very) Brief Plot Summary
Act I Scene I: Hippolyta and Theseus are to marry in four days. Egeus wants Hermia to marry Demetrius, but she is in love with Lysander. Helena is in love with Demetrius. If Hermia does not agree to marry Demetrius she will be killed or sent to a convent. Lysander asks Hermia to run away with him. She agrees. They tell Helena their plan. Helena plans to tell Demetrius of the lovers' plan. Scene II: A play is prepared for the wedding.
Act II Scene I: Titania and Oberon accuse each other of loving Theseus and Hippolyta respectively. Their disagreement is causing disruptions in the weather. Oberon will make peace if Titania will give him the human child she is raising, but she will not. Oberon sends Puck to to fetch flowers for a love potion. Helena continues to pursue Demetrius. Puck brings the flowers and Oberon tells him to anoint Demetrius so he will fall in love with Helena. Scene II: Oberon gives Titania the potion. Lysander and Hermia are lost. Puck gives the potion to Lysander. Demetrius leaves Helena in the forest. Lysander wakes, sees Helena, and falls in love with her. She thinks he's making fun of her. Hermia awakes to find Lysander gone.
Act III Scene I: The men rehearse the play. Puck has given Bottom the head of a donkey. The man run away. Titania sees Bottom and falls in love with him. Scene II: Puck tells Oberon about Titania and Bottom. Oberon realizes Puck has given the potion to the wrong man. Hermia tells Lysander to leave her alone. Puck goes to find Helena. Oberon gives Demetrius the potion. He wakes, sees Helena, and (surprise, surprise) falls in love with her. Lysander and Demetrius argue over Helena, who thinks they're making fun of her. Lysander tells Hermia he's in love with Helena. Hermia accuses Helena of stealing Lysander. Oberon tells Puck to fix his mistake. Lysander, Demetrius, Helen, and Hermia get lost and fall asleep in the woods. Puck gives Lysander the potion.
Act IV, Scene I: Oberon releases Titania from the spell, and Bottom's head is restored. Demetrius tells Egeus he will marry Helena. Theseus says Lysander may marry Hermia. Bottom wakes and sees he has been restored.
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