Summary

The play A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare begins with the ruler of Athens, Theseus, making preparations for his wedding to Hippolyta, an Amazon he defeated in battle. A nobleman, Egeus, arrives to complain to Theseus that his daughter, Hermia, refuses to marry Demetrius, the man Egeus chose for her. He asks Theseus to punish her according to the ancient law. 

Hermia tells Theseus she is in love with Lysander, who also loves her back. Lysander agrees and mentions that Demetrius who now claims to love Hermia, previously seduced another woman, Helena. Despite having heard these rumors, Theseus insists that Hermia must obey her father’s will. If she does not marry Demetrius, she will be either executed or made to spend her entire life in isolation and never marry. 

Since everyone is against them, Hermia and Lysander decide to run away to Lysander’s rich aunt who lives outside of Athens. There, they will not be bound by Athenian law, so they will be able to marry. Hermia agrees to meet Lysander in the woods the next night and run away with him. 

Hermia tells her friend Helena about her plans to run away with Lysander. Helena decides to reveal this to Demetrius, hoping to receive his gratitude in return. 

A group of workers meet to prepare a play for Theseus’ wedding. The play features a pair of tragic lovers, Pyramus and Thisbe. A weaver, Nick Bottom, is chosen to play the lead male role of Pyramus, who is in love with a woman called Thisbe. After all roles...