# data[].attributes.body
Six Athenian tradesmen decide to put on a play, called “Pyramus and Thisbe,” which will be displayed before the Duke and Duchess on their wedding. According to Quince, their play is “The most lamentable comedy and most cruel death of Pyramus and Thisbe.” Quince is the man in charge of the script and assigns a role for each man for the play. Snub worries that he will be unable to play his part, but Quince comforts him saying that it will be easy to learn since the lion only grows and roars. Despite this, he worries that the lion will frighten any of the noble ladies watching the play, for they will be excited if this happens. On the other hand, while Quince is distributing the characters of each, Bottom constantly interrupts him to give him advice and suggests that he could play the role of the other men. Quince convinces him that he “can play no part but Pyramus, for Pyramus is a sweet-faced man...”  Finally, after distributing the role of each, Quince tells the men to meet him in the palace wood by moonlight to rehearse.

# data[].attributes.body
The Act begins with Theseus and Hippolyta, who are going to get married but it seems that there was a battle, in which Theseus obtained the reward of marrying Hippolyta. However, it’s unknown yet if this marriage between the duke and queen was forced or not. Then the scene continues with Egeus who wants her daughter Hermia to get married with Demetrius. Nevertheless, the true love of Hermia is Lysander, the reason why she doesn’t want to marry Demetrius. Since Hermia refuses to obey her father by marrying Demetrius, he demands that the sharp law of Athens punishes Hermia for going against his will. Theseus then talks firmly with Hermia and gives her three options:

1. Marry Demetrius

2. Die

3. Become a nun

Hermia it’s not pleased with any of these options. In response to this,  Hermia and Lysander make a plan to escape into the woods away from the sharp laws of Athens which force Hermia to marry Demetrius. There they will marry and the laws of Athens will not affect them. Lysander exists the scene and Helena, Hermia’s friend, enters. Helena has a frustrated love for Demetrius, who does not love her back and loves Hermia instead. Helena and Hermia talk about how Hermia hates Demetrius and he still loves her, but how Helena does everything to catch his attention but doesn’t really get it. Hermia makes it clear that she doesn’t want anything with Demetrius and tells Helena about her plan of running away with Lysander so that they can be happily together. Even though Helena is supposed to be Hermia’s friend, she decides to tell him about Lysander and Hermia’s planned escape, thinking that this could win Demetrius’ favor.

# data[].attributes.body
Act 2 begins in the forest with a conversation between Robin Goodfellow, servant of Oberon, and a Fairy, servant of Titania. Their discussion is about Titania and Oberon, who are having serious problems with each other because of the Indian boy that Titania refuses to give up to Oberon. The two fairies were interrupted when Oberon and Titania enter and confront one another. The marriage of Theseus and Hippolyta was near, and Oberon and Titania encountered each other near Athens. Titania accuses Oberon of loving Hippolyta, and Oberon accuses Titania of loving Theseus, which makes him very jealous. As they discuss about this, the situation of the Indian boy comes in again, now with Oberon telling Titania that he wants the boy to be his henchman. However, Titania refuses to give him the boy and explains to him that the mother of the boy was a devotee of hers before her death; so in her honor Titania will keep the boy. Titania then invites Oberon to go with her to a dance, but he refuses saying that if she didn't give him the boy, he was not going to the dance with her. After this, Titania leaves and Robin enters to receive an order from Oberon. Oberon instructs Robin to find him a purple flower with love’s wound, that maidens call “love-in-idleness,” (Barbara, n.d.) from which they make a love juice. Oberon wanted Robin to get him the love juice to put in the eyes of Titania, with the purpose of her falling in love with the first beast she sees when she wakes up. Next in the forest appears Demetrius begging Hermia to stop following him into the woods. Demetrius says firmly that he does not love and cannot love her, but Helena insists on continuing following him and wanting his love. Demetrius calls her out for risking her virginity in the woods where Demetrius could do anything with her. Nevertheless, he states that he will run form her and will leave her “to the mercy of wild beasts.” (Barbara, n.d.). Robin comes back to Oberon with the love juice, which he would put on Titania’s eyes. Before Robin came back, Oberon contemplated the complicated love situation of Helena with Demetrius. Consequently, he instructs Robin to anoint the eyes of Demetrius with the love juice, making sure that the next thing he sees is Helena.

# data[].attributes.body
Scene 2 opens with Titania, who orders the fairies to sing for her to fall asleep with the song. Once she falls asleep, the fairies exit, and then enters Oberon who anoints Titania’s eyelids with the love juice. In the woods, we also find Lysander and Hermia who are about to go to sleep. Hermia tells Lysander to not sleep so near to her for love and courtesy. He agrees to this and finds a bed a little apart from Hermia, and they both go to sleep. Robin then enters looking for the Athenian man that Oberon mentioned to him, referring to Demtrius. However, Robin confuses Demetrius with Lysander and ends up anointing Lysander’s eyelids with the love juice instead of Demetrius. Helena and Demtrius appear once again arguing, but this time Demetrius decides to leave and leaves Helena. All of the sudden, Lysander wakes up and the first thing he sees is Helena, who he falls in love with immediately. As soon as he wakes up, he declares his love for Helena, but she thought he was mocking her because of her unrequited love from Demetrius. She leaves madly, and Lysander follows her into the woods. Then Hermia wakes up from a nightmare where a serpent was eating her heart away and Lysander didn't help her, but sat smiling at the scene. As well, she finds out that Lysander is gone and goes into the woods to find him.

# data[].attributes.body
Throughout the whole play, we’ve seen how courageous and determined is Hermia’s character. After reading all the acts, there are three main character traits that characterize Hermia:

1. Independent: From the very first moment that Hermia appears in the play, she demonstrates her independence showing her determination in choosing her own husband. Hermia doesn’t mind her father's will and decides to escape with Lysander into the woods to marry him instead of Demetrius.

2. Courageous: Hermia evidenced her courage throughout the whole play. Starting with being brave enough to rebel against her father and escaping into the woods with Lysander putting into risk her chastity. Even when Lysander leaves to follow Helena under the influence of the nectar, Hermia doesn’t stay there and does nothing, but instead stands up and starts looking for him by herself in the woods.

3. Fiery: Hermia seemed to not be a person with a quick-tempered nature. However, she demonstrates this nature when Lysander confesses that he loves Helena and hates her because of the love potion.  Knowing this, Hermia becomes furious and has some heated arguments with Helena, to such a point that she threatens Helena to scratch her eyes out.

BBC. (2023, February 2). Shakespeare’s A Midsummer night’s dream - hermia - a midsummer night’s dream - shakespeare - KS3 English - bitesize - BBC Bitesize. BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zt69dp3#zk3kjfr

# data[].attributes.body
The Act begins with the four lovers still asleep on stage, enters Titania, the fairies, and Bottom, who still has an ass head. Since Titania had assigned fairies to satisfy Bottom’s desires, he orders Peaseblossom to scratch his head and orders Cobweb to bring him honey. Titania asks Bottom if he is hungry, and he replies that he would like to have a handful of dried peas. Bottom then says that he is tired and Titania tells him to sleep in her arms, and sends the fairies away for them to sleep together. Then enters Oberon who sees Titania sleeping with Bottom. Oberon tells Robin that he asked Titania to give him the Indian boy and she immediately agreed to give him the boy. Now that he obtained the changeling boy from Titania, he was going to release her from the enchantment, so he applied the nectar to her eyes and woke her up. Titania wakes up and tells Oberon right away of her love with an ass headed man thinking it was a dream, but Oberon tells her he is lying right there. Titania cannot believe she had fallen in love with such a man. Oberon orders Robin to take off the ass head of Bottom, which he did right away. Titania and Oberon take on their flight to go to Theseus’ wedding, where they will dance together triumphantly. The three of them exit the scene after Bottom's head was transformed back to normal and Titania was released from the love potion. Then enters Theseus, Hippolyta, and Egeus who find the four lovers sleeping together. Theseus asks Egeus that that day was the one where Hermia had to give an answer of her choice, to which Egeus agrees. Theseus then orders his servant to wake the four lovers up with horns. Once they are up from their sleep, Theseus asks them how did they end up there together if they were rivals, but for the lovers it was all like a dream. They explain how Lysander and Hermia escaped, and Demetrius and Helena followed, ending up all together in the woods. Egeus demands that Theseus applies the law upon Hermia and Lysander, but now Demetrius is in love with Helena instead of Hermia. However, Theseus overrules Egeus’ will and instead announces a feast where three couples will get married:

1. Theseus and Hippolyta

2. Hermia and Lysander

3. Helena and Demetrius

The four lovers still believe everything was a dream, despite the fact that Theseus told them to follow him to the temple. Demetrius then says that they are awake and that they should follow him. As they leave, Bottom wakes up saying that he has “had a most rare vision.” He then says that he will have Peter Quince write him a ballad of his dream, which he will name “Bottom’s Dream” since it had no bottom.

# data[].attributes.body
Act 3 initiates with the tradesmen rehearsing the play of “Pyramus and Thisbe” in the woods. The men continue to have concerns regarding specific scenes from the play that might frighten the ladies present. Bottom comes up with several solutions for these concerns:

1. In the play Pyramus must draw a sword to kill himself, so Bottom suggests to write him a prologue that says that there will be no harm with the swords, and that Pyramus is not kill indeed. For more assurance, he suggests that the other men should tell the audience that he is not Pyramus, but Bottom the weaver.  (Mowat, B., & Werstine, P., 1993)

2. For the part of the lion, Bottom suggests to name his name and that half of the face of Snug must be seen through the lion’s neck. As well, he should affirm that he is a man like any other and that they should not tremble for he is not a lion but Snug the joiner. (Mowat, B., & Werstine, P., 1993)

The men agree to the suggestions made by Bottom to prevent the ladies from being frightened when contemplating the play. They come to an agreement for the other parts for the play such as the light, the setting, and the wall, and then begin to rehearse. Robin appears among the men and turns Bottom’s head into that of an ass. The other tradesmen abandon him frightened by his new appearance. Bottom begins to sing for the other men to hear that he was not afraid. Titania is woken up by his singing and falls in love with him immediately because of the love juice.  She insists that he has to remain with her and assigns four fairies to assist him. Bottom has no idea that his head has been replaced with that of an ass, which is the reason why he says that his friends have acted like asses in leaving him. Then he introduces himself to the four fairies: Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Mote, and Mustarseed. Finally, Bottom accepts to follow Titania, who is in love with him regardless of his current appearance.

# data[].attributes.body
Hermia (In love with Lysander, but forced to marry Demetrius by her father)

Egeus (Hermia’s father)

Lysander (loves Hermia)

Demetrius (Wants to marry Hermia and is in love with her)

Theseus (Duke of Athens) (Going to marry Hippolyta)

Hippolyta (Queen of the Amazons) (Going to marry Theseus)

Helena (Hermia’s friend) (Is in love with Demetrius)

# data[].attributes.body
“Be advised, fair maid. To you your father should be as a god, one that composed your beauties,” - Theseus

“Upon that day either prepare to die for disobedience to your father’s will, or else to wed Demetrius, as he would, or on Diana’s altar to protest for aye austerity (a life of self-denial) and single life.” - Theseus

“From Athens is her house remote seven leagues, and she respects me as her only son. There, gentle Hermia, may I marry thee; and to that place the sharp Athenian law cannot pursue us.” - Lysander

“In that same place thou hast appointed me, tomorrow truly will I meet thee.” - Hermia

“I will go tell him of fair Hermia’s flight. Then to the wood will he tomorrow night pursue her.” - Helena

# data[].attributes.body
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” - Exodus 20:12

A way to look at this scene from a biblical perspective, it’s that God tells us several times in His word that we have to honor our father and mother. As we read we notice how Hermia it’s not honoring Egeus, her father, because she doesn’t want to obey him and wants to do basically what she wants. However, even if we don’t like the decisions or commands of our parents, we have to obey them completely because they are our authority and God gives us this command in the Bible.

# data[].attributes.body
"In A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare confronts us with mysterious images of romantic desire."

- Theseus and Hyppolyta who are about to be married. Theseus is the duke of Athens and Hippolyta is the queen of the Amazons. He is a great warrior and she is a warrior woman, who was defeated in battle by Theseus.

- Four lovers: Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius. These young people live in Athens, who resolve to sort themselves out into marriageable couples. However, this is only posible after one love triangle, with Hermia at the top and Helena at the bottom, is for the moment replaced with a new one having Helena at the top of the triangle and Hermia excluded.

- In the woods outside of Athens, we find King Oberon and Queen Titania, king and queen of Fairyland. They find themselves in a fight over the custody of an orphan boy. In the woods we also find Bottom, who is transformed into a monster by Robin Goodfellow, Oberon's helper. The king uses his magic to make Titania fall in love with Bottom, the monster.

- Last, there is the tragic love story of "Pyramus and Thisbe." This love, that leads to a double suicide, is wrttien and staged by Bottom and his workingmen partners.

# data[].attributes.body
Quince: In charge of the play that will be displayed in the wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta.

Nick Bottom: will play Pyramus, a man who is a lover that kills himself most brave for love.

Francis Flute: will play Thisbe, the lady that Pyramus must love. (Flute is not pleased with this role since he doesn’t want to play as a woman; he says to have “a beard coming.”)

Robin Starveling: will play Thisbe’s mother.

Tom Snout: will play Pyramus’ father.

Snub: will play the lion’s part.

# data[].attributes.body
Play Overview

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Love Story Greek Mythology: Pyramus and Thisbe

# data[].attributes.body
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” -Colossians 3:23-24

Scene 2 is about the play that Quince and his companion are working on. As I read, I thought about how we have to do everything with excellence for we shouldn’t do it for men but for the Lord. Anything we do we should do our best.  If we were them who are organizing the play, we shouldn’t be focused on pleasing the people present only, but on doing it all for glory of the Lord.

# data[].attributes.body
• Fairy (servant of Titania): The fairy knows her master and is able to express Titania’s feelings with Robin while they discuss the problems among them. This is helpful for Titania because the fairy will communicate her situation with Oberon’s servant, so that they can know how to advise their masters.

• Robin Goodfellow (servant of Oberon): He is a faithful servant of Oberon who will do as he says. Robin has the assignment of looking for the flower to make the love juice and anoint Demetrius’ eyes with it.

• Titania (Queen of the fairies): Titania doesn't have a stable relationship with Oberon. Even though Oberon has done things to make her mad, there seems to be some events that give Oberon reasons to be jealous.

• Oberon (King of the fairies): Oberon is a jealous man, who cannot stand the lack of attention from Titania, which is the cause of their argument over the Indian boy.

• Helena: After telling Demetrius about Hermia’s plan of escaping, she follows Demetrius into the woods. Once again the uncontrollable love of Helena for Demtrius and her desperation is shown when she refuses to stop following him.

• Demetrius: He goes into the woods looking for his forever love Hermia but is followed consistently by Hermia. His lack of interest for Helena is even more evident by the things he tells her to keep her away from him.

# data[].attributes.body
• “Take heed the Queen come not within his sight, for Oberon is passing fell and wrath because that she, as her attendant, hath a lovely boy stolen from an Indian king;” - Robin

• “How canst thou thus for shame, Titania, glance at my credit with Hippolyta, knowing I know thy love to Theseus?” - Oberon

• “But she, being mortal, of that boy did die, and for her sake do I rear up her boy, and for her sake I will not part him.” - Titania

• “The juice of it on sleeping eyelids laid will make or man or woman madly dote upon the next live creature that it sees.” - Oberon

• “To trust the opportunity of night and the ill counsel of a desert place with the rich worth of your virginity.” - Demetrius

• “A sweet Athenian lady is in love with a disdainful youth.” - Oberon

# data[].attributes.body
“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.” - Proverbs 14:30

The main conflict of this scene is between Oberon and Titania. The cause of this issue is that Oberon is jealous of the attention the Indian boy receives from Titania. However, God calls us to not to be jealous and have a “tranquil heart” instead. In this case what Oberon wants is the full attention of Titania since she is his wife, but even in that situation there has to be a balance. Oberon instead of being jealous, he should comprehend the motives of Titania for keeping the boy and be supportive.

# data[].attributes.body
Why do Titania and Oberon accuse each other of adultery?

Titania accuses Oberon for two situations :

First she claims that Oberon disguised himself as a shepherd to court a woman in India named Phillida.

Second she claims that the reason that Oberon came from India is to see Hippolyta marry Theseus since Hippolyta used to be Oberon’s mistress.

On the other hand, Oberon blames Titania for the end of past relationships of Theseus with other women. He also points that she shouldn’t be accusing him because she has been in a relationship in the past (Oppelt, 2019).

Oppelt, E. (2019, June 23). A Midsummer night’s dream. enotes.com. https://www.enotes.com/topics/midsummer-nights-dream/questions/in-a-midsummer-night-s-dream-by-shakespeare-have-557901

# data[].attributes.body
Titania (Queen of the Fairies): She fell asleep after hearing the song of the fairies and got her eyes anointed with the nectar by Oberon.

Fairies: They sing for Titania to fall asleep.

Oberon (King of the Fairies): He made his plan work by anointing the eyes of Titania with the love juice.

Hermia: She is completely in love with Lysander and her wish is to marry him. Now she has to find him after he left her alone in the woods.

Lysander: He is madly in love with Hermia and respects her limits, for example, when he told her to sleep a little away from her. Nevertheless, this love doesn't last long because the scene ends with him being in love with Helena.

Robin: He confuses Demetrius with Lysander anointing his eyes, ending up in the new love of Lysander for Helena.

Demetrius: He once again begs Helena to stop chasing him, and tells her that he will go alone.

Helena: She is so frustrated that Demetrius doesn't love her that everything revolves around it. Helena is so self conscious that believes Lysander is mocking her after seeing her when he woke up.

# data[].attributes.body
“What thou seest when thou dost wake, do it for thy true love take” - Oberon

“For my sake, my dear, lie further off yet. Do not lie so near.” - Hermia

“Is’t not enough, young man, that I never did, no, nor never can deserve a sweet look from Demetrius’  eye, but you must flout my insufficiency?” - Helena

“Then I well perceive you are not nigh. Either death or you I’ll find immediately.” - Hermia

# data[].attributes.body
The new love of Titania when she wakes up will create a complete new story and probably conflict. I don't think that Oberon will be able to take the Indian boy away from her, maybe the love juice won't affect her devotion for the boy. On the other side, Hermia will find Lysander and will end up heartbroken after noticing that his love for her faded away.

# data[].attributes.body
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” - Philippians 4:8

Throughout this act we see how Helena suffers and persists in a love that is not real. Then Oberon sympathizes with this love, but things don't turn out the way they were planned. So, what's the reflection of this situation? In the book of Philipians, Paul makes a call to think about all those good things God gives us. This relates with this scene in the way that based on Helena’s situation, others are affected by it. Now Hermia doesn't have the love of Lysander, Lysander is now in love with her, and Demtrius continues on his search for Hermia in the woods. No matter how desperate we are for something, we should first put in God’s hands and then think about all the good things we already have in our lives, instead of insisting on those we don't and can't have.

# data[].attributes.body
What is the meaning of Hermia’s dream?

Hermia dreams that a serpent, which is a symbol of betrayal, is eating her heart, which is a symbol of love. After understanding the symbols, the dream meant that her love has been stolen, but hasnt been stolen specifically from betrayal but from magic.

Florman, B. (2013, July 22). A Midsummer night’s dream: Act 2, scene 2 summary & analysis. LitCharts. https://www.litcharts.com/lit/a-midsummer-nights-dream/act-2-scene-2

# data[].attributes.body
Oberon will make his plan work and steal the Indian boy from Titania. Anointing Demtrius’ eyes with the love juice might complicate things among the four lovers. There are two possibilities:

Robin confuses Demetrius with another man, creating a new story or problem.

Robin does anoint Demtrius’ eyes but Helena is not the first person he sees.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Oppression and Objectification of Women in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

# data[].attributes.subject
The Oppression and Objectification of Women in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

# data[].attributes.body
The article written by Seidman (2017) explains the role of women during the time A Midsummer Night’s Dream was written. It’s necessary for us to understand how women were seen in that society because it will help us comprehend why things happen.

Seidman, C. (2017, December 14). The oppression and objectification of women in “A midsummer night’s dream.”

Shakespeare Comes Alive! https://shakespearecomesalivesdsufall2017.wordpress.com/4-group-performance-history/#:~:text=The%20female%20characters%20in%20A,played%20no%20part%20in%20marriages.

# data[].attributes.body
Usually, the meaning of some words or the use of words in the plays written by Shakespeare are complicated for us to understand. In the article “Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night’s Dream - language,” we have an overview of the language used in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Before starting to read this book, it’s key to have an overview of what you might find regarding the language used, so that it’s easier for you to understand and analyze the play.

BBC. (n.d.). Shakespeare - A Midsummer night’s dream - language. BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z6gsf82#zvj496f

# data[].attributes.body
Bottom (Makes sure the ladies don’t get scared through the play. His head is turned into that of an ass. Titania falls in love with him under the influence of the love juice.)

Quince

Snout

Starveling

Snug

Flute

Titania (Wakes up after Oberon anointed her eyes with the nectar and sees Bottom first, whom she loves instantly regardless of his appearance.)

Robin Goodfellow (Puck) (Turned Bottom’s head into that of an ass)

Fairies: Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Mote, and Mustardseed. (The ones assigned by Titania to attend Bottom.)

# data[].attributes.body
“Write me a prologue, and let the prologue seem to say we will do no harm with our swords, and that Pyramus is not killed indeed.” - Bottom

“O monstrous! O strange! We are haunted. Pray, masters, fly, masters! Help!” - Quince

“I pray thee, gentle mortal, sing again. Mine ear is much enamored of thy note, so is mine eye enthralled to thy shape,” - Titania

“Methinks, mistress, you should have little reason for that. And yet, to say the truth, reason and love keep little company together nowadays.” - Bottom

“Be kind and courteous to this gentleman.” - Titania

# data[].attributes.headline
Preparation for the Play by the Tradesmen

# data[].attributes.subject
Preparation for the Play by the Tradesmen

# data[].attributes.body
In this scene, Bottom and the tradesmen must find a 'calendar' to confirm the moon will shine the night they perform their play. Enjoy this video by National Theatre of this part of the scene!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A Midsummer Night's Dream Act 3 Scene 1 | Bottom Takes A Selfie | Bridge Theatre

# data[].attributes.body
This scene begins with Oberon wondering if his plan of having Titania fall in love with the first beast she sees worked. Robin then goes to him to communicate that the plan worked out and at the same time that he anointed the eyes of the Athenian man just as Oberon told him to previously. Hermia and Demetrius enter, and Oberon tells Robin that he is the man, however, Robin agrees that is the same woman who was lying next to the man yet that Demetrius is not the same man he anointed the eyes to. Demetrius argues with Hermia about his love for her but Hermia accuses him of killing Lysander. Demetrius claims that he is not responsible for his blood nor does he think that he is dead. Hermia exits to continue looking for Lysander after he abandoned her on the woods. Demetrius lies down and falls asleep. Oberon tells Robin that he had mistaken the Athenian man he told him about at the beginning, referring to Demetrius. Oberon then takes the nectar and anoints Demetrius’ eyes, who is still sleeping. At this moment Lysander and Helena enter the scene, with him claiming that he loves Helena and that loves Hermia no more. He also tells her that Demetrius is in love with Hermia and not her. Then Demetrius wakes up with the effects of the love juice and is instantly attracted to Helena too. Helena cannot believe everything that is happening and now thinks that both of them are mocking her for she knows they hate her in their hearts. Lysander and Demetrius start to argue over Helena, they both  make emphasis on the fact that the real love of each other is Hermia and suggest each other to stay with her so that the other can stay with Helena. Then Hermia enters, finally finding Lysander after a long search only to find out that he no longer loves her and is now in love with Helena. When Helena sees Hermia she thinks now that the three of them have come together to conspire against her. The four of them then begin to make their claims: Helena believes they are mocking her, Hermia still doesn’t believe that Lysander is now in love with Helena, Demetrius claims to love Helena all of the sudden, and Lysander affirms Hermia that the one he loves is Helena and not her. Hermia then tells Lysander that he cannot do greater harm than to hurt her, but Lysander tells her that he actually hates her and loves Helena. Hermia accuses Helena of stealing Lysander’s love from her, and believes that she sued her height to persuade Lysander into doing so. She becomes furious and threatens to scratch out Helena’s eyes. The two men because of their love for her vow to protect her from Hermia, but then they also become angry with each other and leave the women alone and go into the woods to have a fight for Helena’s love. After watching the scene, Oberon feels that Puck caused all this conflict on purpose. Puck swears that he had made a mistake and it was not intentional at all, but he also says that he is satisfied with having anointed the eyes of the wrong man. Oberon orders him to keep the men apart from fighting with illusions and tricks. Puck does so, as Oberon leaves to go get the boy from Titania.

# data[].attributes.body
Oberon (Believes Puck made the mistake on purpose and has to find a solution for the conflict among the four lovers. Goes to Titania to get the Indian boy and after he gets the boy, he will reverse the spell)

Robin (Puck) (Puck doesn’t regret the mistake he did and is instructed by Oberon  to prevent Demetrius and Lysander to fight)

Demetrius (Demetrius had his eyes anointed by Oberon and fell in love with Helena too)

Hermia (She cannot believe that Lysander no longer loves her and accuses Helena of stealing Lysander’s love)

Helena (First she believed that Lysander was mocking her for his sudden love for her, but now she thinks that the three of them came together to conspire against her)

Lysander (He tells Hermia that he hates her and the one he actually loves is Helena)

# data[].attributes.body
The following article explains the similarities and differences between Lysander and Demetrius. I consider it key to understand the characteristics of each one to help us better understand their actions throughout the play. Take a look at this article by David Alberts so that you can learn more about these two main characters. Click on the link below!

Alberts, David. "Compare and contrast Demetrius and Lysander in A Midsummer Night's Dream." edited by eNotes Editorial, 16 Aug. 2019, https://www.enotes.com/topics/midsummer-nights-dream/questions/compare-contrast-characters-demetrius-lysander-254098.

# data[].attributes.body
“This is the woman, but not this the man.” - Robin

“I am not guilty for Lysander’s blood, nor is he dead, for aught that I can tell.” - Demetrius

“Thou hast mistaken quite and laid the love juice on some true-love’s sight.” - Oberon

“You both are rivals and love Hermia, and now both rivals to mock Helena.” - Helena

“Now I perceive they have conjoined all three to fashion this false sport in spite of me.” - Helena

“Why are you grown so rude? What change is this, sweet love?” - Hermia

“I m not yet so low but that my nails can reach unto thine eyes.” - Hermia

“When thou wak’st, thou tak’st true delight in the sight of thy former lady’s eye.” - Robin

# data[].attributes.body
“Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.” - Ecclesiastes 7:9

In this scene discussions and fights prevail. We see how Hermia accuses Helena of stealing Lysander’s love and threatens her with taking her eyes out. Hermia is furious with the situation, but going to violence is not the way to solve the current conflict among the four of them. The same happens with Lysander and Demetrius who are under the influence of the nectar and decide to go into the woods to fight with each other over Helena’s love. God calls us to not be provoked easily in our spirit, and this kind of situations are very hard but we should not let anger take over us.

# data[].attributes.body
At the end of the scene, Robin applies the nectar to Lysander’s eyes with the purpose of him loving Hermia again. I consider that it will work out perfectly and their love will be once again as lovely as in the beginning of the book, and everything that happened will feel only like a dream.

# data[].attributes.body
Titania (At the beginning she continues to be in love with Bottom, but then Oberon releases her from the enchantment.)

Bottom (Begins the act with the ass head but then Robin transforms his head back to normal. He believes that everything that happened was just a dream.)

Fairies: Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Mustarseed.

Robin Goodfellow (In charge of releasing Bottom form the enchantment)

Oberon (Finally obtains the boy from Titania and releases her from the enchantment, and retrieves his love from Titania)

Hippolyta

Theseus (In charge of applying the Athenian laws. When he sees the situation among the four lovers he decrees that they should remain just as they are.)

Helena

Hermia

Demetrius (In love with Helena and wants to marry her)

Lysander (Wakes up again and goes back to his real love, Hermia)

# data[].attributes.body
“O, how I love thee! How I dote on thee!” - Titania

“I then did ask of her her changeling child, which straight she gave me, and her fairy sent to bear him to my bower in Fairyland.” - Oberon

“Tell me how it came this night that I sleeping here was found with these mortals on the ground.” - Titania

“But speak, Egeus. Is not this the day that Hermia should give answer of her choice?” - Theseus

“How comes this gentle concord in the world, that hatred is so far from jealousy to sleep by hate and fear no enmity?” - Theseus

“But as yet, I swear, I cannot truly say how I came here.” - Lysander

“I beg the law, the law upon his head.” - Egeus

“The object and the pleasure of mine eye, is only Helena.” - Demetrius

“Egeus, I will overbear your will, for in the temple by and by, with us, these couples shall eternally be knit.” - Theseus

“I have had a most rare vision. I have had a dream past the wit of man to say what dream it was.” - Bottom

# data[].attributes.body
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28

This Bible verse explicitly tells us that all things that happen in our lives work for good because of our love for Him. In this scene, we read the resolution of this dramatic story involving many conflicts among the characters. Through the resolution I can conclude that everything worked out for good after the storm. At the same time, even though it was not through the best means, everything happened according to the purpose and for the well being of all. Mostly with Helena and Demetrius who were both suffering for unrequited love but at the end they end up happy and in love.

# data[].attributes.body
Why does Theseus overrule Egeus?

Egeus wants Theseus to apply the law over Hermia and Lysander, since Theseus is the upholder of law and reason. However, Demetrius testifies that he followed Hermia into the woods because he loved her, he now loves Helena. In presence of this, Theseus overrules Egeus and even decides that the four lovers will marry at his wedding. Theseus realized that it was the best decision because reason and law were not going to solve happily what their dreamlike experiences had already solved for the best of the four lovers.

# data[].attributes.body
The scene begins with the tradesmen who are worried about Bottom’s disappearance. Flute asks if the play will still be done without Bottom, but Quince answers him saying that no one else can play Pyramus other than Bottom because he is the best person in all Athens for the character. Snug comes in with interesting news saying that the Duke and other two or three men and ladies have been married. He adds that if their play would have gone through, they would have “all been made men” (Mowat, B., & Werstine, P., 1993). Flute suggests that Bottom would have received a great amount of money from the Duke for his impeccable performance in the play as Pyramus. All of the sudden, Bottom comes back! The men who were sad became extremely overjoyed when they saw Bottom. Quince tells Bottom to share with them what happened to him when he was gone. However, Bottom answers saying that there is no time for that and that they should get ready for the play for Theseus had chosen their play to be performed that night. Bottom gives them some specifications like letting Thisbe have clean linen and tells them not to eat onions or garlic in order for them to have sweet breath. Finally, all the men go away to get ready for the play.

# data[].attributes.body
Quince

Flute

Snout

Starveling

Bottom (Returns from what he considered a dream with Titania and tells the men that the play must be shown)

Snug

(All the men were first worried and sad that Bottom was not there to play Pyramus, but then were cheerful that he returned)

# data[].attributes.body
“No, he hath simply the best wit of any handicraftman in Athens.” - Flute

“It is not possible. You have not a man in all Athens able to discharge Pyramus but he.” - Quince

“An the Duke had not given him sixpence a day for playing Pyramus, I’ll be hanged. He would have deserved it.” - Flute

“Where are these lads? Where are these hearts?” - Bottom

“Bottom! O most courageous day! O most happy hour!” - Quince

“Meet presently at the palace. Every man look o’er his part. For the short and the long is, our play is preferred.” - Bottom

# data[].attributes.body
“For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a person may be weighed down by misery.” - Ecclesiastes 8:6

God's timing for us is perfect, even when we don't understand why some things happen and at the moment they happen. The tradesmen were somehow miserable by Bottom’s disappearance and the fact that there was no other man who could play Pyramus. All of the sudden, Bottom reappears at the perfect moment. He came back just in time where they could still present the play in the wedding of the Duke. That's just how perfect God is with us in every moment, even when we think everything is over.

# data[].attributes.body
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” - Colossians 3:23

The way of acting of Bottom towards the play in this scene really gets my attention. From the beginning he was very interested in the play and performing the best way he could. In this scene we see how he finds a solution for two concerns regarding the ladies that were going to be present watching the play. That’s how we should be when we are participating in something, just as this verse calls us too. Everything we do we should do it with excellence and all of our heart  as we everything we do is for the Lord and not for men.

# data[].attributes.body
In the last act of the book, Hermia demonstrated to be an independent woman who is determined in achieving her goals and desires. In Act 2, she continues to evidence her independence but shows herself as an assertive and careful woman. When the time to go to sleep comes for her and Lysander at the woods, Hermia orders Lysander to lie away from her. Even though Lysander insists on resting by her side, she argues that he should sleep farther away from her for her sake (Mowat, B., & Werstine, P., 1993). The way in which Hermia dealt with the persuasion of Lysander demonstrates how independent and strong she is to stand firm in her own beliefs. In the last part of the scene, we see how easily she decides to follow Lysander into the woods after he abandoned her to follow Helena. In this last part, we see one more time how determined she can be to be with Lysander since she could follow him anywhere no matter the risks it implied.

Hermia, A Midsummer night’s dream. No Sweat Shakespeare. (2020, June 29). https://nosweatshakespeare.com/characters/hermia-midsummer-nights-dream/

# data[].attributes.body
The last act of this interesting story begins at Theseus’ palace with himself talking with Hippolyta about the story that the four lovers have told them concerning their experiences with the love enchantment. Theseus claims that the story told by the lovers is not true and that he does not believe it. However, Hippolyta points out that it is curious that all their thoughts and version of the story have managed to make sense and narrate the events in the exact same way. The four lovers enter and Theseus welcomes them with joy. Theseus tells the lovers that they should pass the remaining time before bed with a performance, for this he calls Philostrate. Philostrate then reads to Theseus several options of performances for the moment, but Theseus does not find any of them acceptable. Then Philostrate tells him about the play of the tradesmen, “Pyramus and Thisbe”,  which he considers too long by having some ten words. He warns Theseus not to choose this play for he considers that it is terrible for the moment. Nevertheless, Theseus says that he will hear the play and that “anything can be amiss when simpleness and duty tender it” (Mowat, B., & Werstine, P., 1993). Based on Theseus’ decision, all the men and women take their seats for Quince to present the prologue of the play.  The manner in which Quince presents the prologue, makes their message unclear due to the pauses he makes. After the prologue is over, all the tradesmen enter the scene to play as their respective characters. The men act out the play in such a clumsy way that causes the audience to laugh and joke among themselves about the actors performance. The play ends with Pyramus, or Bottom, pretending to kill himself after he finds a mantle stained with blood thinking that the lion killed her. Then Thisbe finds Pyramus dead and proceeds to kill herself too. After the play is done, Bottom asks the audience if they would like an epilogue or a Bergomask dance. Theseus replies saying that they would like no epilogue but they would appreciate the Bergomask dance. After Bottom and Flute perform the dance, the newly married couples exit for bed. Puck enters and says that the fairies will come to the castle and that he has been sent “to seep the dust behind the door” (Mowat, B., & Werstine, P., 1993). Then Titania and Oberon bless the new lovers to remain faithful and for their kids to be beautiful with a fairy song.  They exit, and then Robin addresses the audience saying that if the play has offended them, they should remember it as a simple dream. He finishes with a sort of apology saying: “Give me your hands, if we be friends, and Robin shall restore amends” (Mowat, B., & Werstine, P., 1993).

# data[].attributes.body
Hippolyta

Theseus

Lysander

Demetrius

Hermia

Helena

Philostrate

Quince

Bottom (Pyramus)

Flute (Thisbe)

Snout (Wall)

Starveling (Moonshine)

Snug (Lion)

Quince (Prologue)

Oberon

Titania

Robin Goodfellow

# data[].attributes.body
“More strange than true. I never may believe these antique fables nor these fairy toys.” - Theseus

“And grows to something of great constancy, but, howsoever, strange and admirable.” - Hippolyta

“ I have heard it over, and it is nothing, nothing in the world, unless you can find sport in their intents,” - Philostrate

“We do not come, as minding to content you, our true intent is. All for your delight we are not here.” - Quince, Prologue

“Moon, take thy flight! Now die, die, die, die, die.” - Bottom, as Pyramus

“ Come, trusty sword, come, blade, my breast imbrue!” - Flute, as Thisbe

“No epilogue, I pray you. For your play needs no excuse. Never excuse.” - Theseus

“Hand in hand, with fairy grace, will we sing and bless this place.” - Titania

“To the best bride-bed will we, which by us shall blessèd be, and the issue there create ever shall be fortunate.” - Oberon

“And, as I am an honest Puck, if we have unearnèd luck now to ’scape the serpent’s tongue, we will make amends ere long.” - Robin

# data[].attributes.body
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

In Act 5, we read the final resolution of the story, which ends happily for most of the characters. Throughout the book, the characters encounter many conflicts in which they are desperate, sad, angry, happy, etc. Despite all the conflicts they had to face and moments they had to go through, they had a happy ending where they earned what they desired. We can notice that there was peace and light after all the storm. God calls us to trust in Him and have peace, for He has overcome the world. No matter all the conflicts we may be facing, we shouldn't worry but instead have peace that God is already in control of our situation.

# data[].attributes.body
This humurous video by myShakespeare, provides us a clear idea of how the play performed by the tradesmen was like when presented to Theseus and the others.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
myShakespeare | Midsummer Night's Dream 5.1 Performance: Snout, Theseus, Demetrius Line 155-168

# data[].attributes.body
Many of Shakespeare’s plays have examples of daughters who rebel against their fathers. For example, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Miranda in The Tempest and Jessica in The Merchant of Venice, and, of course, Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

BBC. (2023, February 2). Shakespeare’s A Midsummer night’s dream - hermia - a midsummer night’s dream - shakespeare - KS3 English - bitesize - BBC Bitesize. BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zt69dp3#zk3kjfr

# data[].attributes.body
Hermia, A Midsummer night’s dream. No Sweat Shakespeare. (2020, June 29). https://nosweatshakespeare.com/characters/hermia-midsummer-nights-dream/

# data[].attributes.headline
Changes in Character throughout the Play

# data[].attributes.subject
Changes in Character throughout the Play

# data[].attributes.body
Hermia is one of the main characters in the play, for this reason she faces many conflicts throughout the book. As the conflicts change, we get to understand her character plainly.

Independent: In Act 1 and 2, Hermia shows her independent and fearless character by confronting her dad and escaping into the woods with her lover to avoid the Athenian laws. When Hermia wakes up and notices that she has been abandoned by Lysander, she doesn’t think about it twice and goes in search of her love.

Helpless: In Act 3, Hermia has a combination of emotions like confusion, troubled, and helpless, when she finds out that she no longer has Lysander’s love. Hermia seems so helpless when Lysander says that he hates her, and it’s all confusing since it happened unexpectedly.

Content: Lastly in Act 4 and 5, she gains Lysander’s love again after Robin anointed his eyes one more time. Even though she doesn’t talk much in the scene, we can infer that she was cheerful of having his lover back again and finally marrying him.

BBC. (2023, February 2). Shakespeare’s A Midsummer night’s dream - hermia - a midsummer night’s dream - shakespeare - KS3 English - bitesize - BBC Bitesize. BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zt69dp3#zk3kjfr

# data[].attributes.body
Hermia definitely had a happy ending! At the end of the story, Hermia finally gets to marry Lysander as she wanted from the very beginning. Although she had to face several unexpected conflicts, she made it through all of them with courage and married her lover. It’s delightful how Hermia fought for Lysander’s love and was not willing to let it go all together for something that didn’t go as planned. Since Hermia approaches love as something that was not easily lost, although easily threatened, she had her happy ending with Lysander.

# data[].attributes.body
As I see it, the play had a happy ending for all the characters. The four lovers had their happy ending by getting married by the end of the play. Helena finally had her long-awaited love, after risking herself by going into the woods alone. Demetrius stopped chasing a love that didn't belong to him and found true love with someone who did love him. Hermia and Lysander married each other happily and honestly before the Athenian laws.Theseus displayed lots of enthusiasm for marrying Hippolyta and their honeymoon, and it's nice to see how they get happily married at the end of the play. Bottom and Titania resolved their issues regarding the custody of the boy and together they blessed the newly married couples. The tradesmen performed the play just as they planned in the wedding. Even though their play seemed silly and funny to the audience, the concerns they had of the ladies being frightened by their acts were not even close to happening. Robin was able to fix his mistakes and even had the opportunity to ask for forgiveness at the end of the play for those mistakes. In short words, all the characters of the play had a happy ending where most of their conflicts were resolved.

# data[].attributes.body
Hermia and Lysander: Their conflict was completely resolved since they were able to get married without rebelling against the laws. At first they couldn't get married in Athens because Theseus was applying the laws on Hermia, but after he decided to overrule Egeus, the two lovers could join in marriage joyfully.

Demetrius and Helena: At first they were both pursuing a love that did not belong to them, but ended up marrying each other happily as well. However, I consider that their conflict was somehow repressed since Demetrius is in love with Helena due to the love juice and not for genuine love. The only ones that are aware of this are Oberon and Puck, but things in the future could change if suddenly Demetrius is released from the enchantment.

Titania and Oberon: The King and Queen of the fairies have a happy ending as well, where their conflict over the Indian boy came to an end as a result of Oberon’s plan. The plan executed by Oberon was a little bit risky, but things worked out perfectly and Titania had no idea that it was her who put her under the spell. Considering this, their conflict was truly resolved and gave them a happy ending of songs and dances together.

Theseus and Hippolyta: At the end of the play they get married happily and don't face much conflict throughout the play. Hippolyta didn't seem to be as excited as Theseus to get married at the beginning, but she doesn't express any objection towards it in the play.

Egeus: The father of Hermia, had to face from the very beginning the desire of her daughter to marry a man that had not won his favor. Then he also has to face her daughter's strong character who decides to escape from the Athenian laws that were being imposed on her. Even though we may think that at the end of the play things happen in Egeus’ favor, what happens is all the contrary. Hermia married Lysander, instead of Demetrius, after Theseus decreed that the four lovers should join in marriage and overruled Egeus' will. Unlike most characters, Egeus didn't accomplish what he wished and had to accept that her daughter would not marry Demetrius but Lysander.

Robin Goodfellow: Robin faced several conflicts when he confused Lysander and Demetrius, and then had to fix these mistakes. Despite that, he fixed them successfully and was able to ask the audience to forgive them for those mistakes. Looking at the positive side of his mistakes, thanks to him the four lovers could marry each other and have a happy ending. Looks like Robin had a happy ending as well!

# data[].attributes.body
The characters so far in the story are: Hermia, Egeus, Lysander, Demetrius, Theseus, Hippolyta, Helena, Quince, Nick Bottom, Francis Flute, Robin Starveling, Tom Snout, Snub.

Hermia is one of the main characters in A Midsummer Night's Dream, named after Hermes, the Greek god of commerce (n.d., 2020). Hermia is one of the two women in the group of the four lovers made of Lysander and Hermia and Helena and Demetrius  (n.d., 2020). I chose Hermia because her story is the one that seems the most interesting to me and one which I'm anxious to figure out its ending. The story of Hermia has a dramatic beginning in the book, when Egeus, her father, goes to Theseus for him to apply the Athenian laws upon her. Egeus wants her to marry Demetrius, but if she doesn't wed him, she would either die or become a nun. However, Hermia doesn't select any of the three options she is given, but decides to escape with Lysander into the woods. Based on this decision, I can notice a disobedient and rebellious character since she is basically doing what pleases her and suits her. Looking at her from another perspective, I could say that Hermia is a courageous character who is determined to obtain what she proposes and desires. Confident with her decision, Hermia says to Lysander “In that same place thou hast appointed me, tomorrow truly will I meet thee”. At the same time, Hermia shows herself to be a caring person at the end of the act, when she goes to Helena, her best friend, to inform her that she is escaping into the woods with Lysander, meaning that she is leaving Demetrius behind.

Sources:

Hermia, A Midsummer night’s dream. No Sweat Shakespeare. (2020, June 29). https://nosweatshakespeare.com/characters/hermia-midsummer-nights-dream/

# data[].attributes.body
Hermia has one single participation in this act, which is to express that she feels that all the confusion they went through before going to sleep feels like a dream. However, this act represents the resolution of her love story with Lysander. Finally, after searching for him in the woods and almost scratching Helena’s eyes out, Hermia once again has Lysander’s love, after Robin anointed his eyes again to release him from the enchantment. It can be inferred that Hermia is content with having Lysander’s love again and that she will get to marry him after Theseus decrees that they should remain together, as well as Demetrius and Helena. Additionally, in this act we can see that her in independence and courage did lead her to marry the man whom she loved. If she wouldn’t have been courageous enough to go into the woods looking for Lysander, maybe things wouldn’t have turned out as good as they did for the four lovers.

Hermia, A Midsummer night’s dream. No Sweat Shakespeare. (2020, June 29). https://nosweatshakespeare.com/characters/hermia-midsummer-nights-dream/

# data[].attributes.body
"A Midsummer Night’s Dream" by William Shakespeare involves a variety of characters that all together construct a delightful play. Among the characters, we find Lysander, Hermia, Demetrius, and Helena, who are the four lovers around whom the story revolves; Theseus, the Duke of Athens, and Hippolyta, the Queen of the Amazons, who is going to marry the Duke; Oberon and Titania, the King and Queen of the fairies; and the six tradesmen who are performing the play for Theseus’ wedding. As I read the book, I gathered more information about who the characters are, and based on this, I decided to choose Hermia for my character analysis. I chose Hermia because her story seemed very interesting to me and is the one I'm most anxious to know the resolution of. Throughout this essay, I will describe how Hermia’s personality developed through the story and how her character changed in the midst of all the conflicts she had to face. Once I’ve described her entirely, I’ll be able to determine if she had a happy ending or not based on my criteria.