“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
William Shakespeare
Plot Summary, Themes & Characters
ACT 1
The play opens in Athens, where Duke Theseus is preparing for his wedding to Hippolyta, queen
of the Amazons. Egeus, an Athenian nobleman, arrives with his daughter Hermia and her two
suitors, Lysander and Demetrius. Egeus demands that Hermia marry Demetrius, whom he has
chosen for her, but Hermia loves Lysander. Theseus gives Hermia an ultimatum: obey her father,
face death, or become a nun.
Hermia and Lysander decide to flee to the forest to escape Athenian law and marry in secret.
They confide in Helena, Hermia's friend who is in love with Demetrius. Helena, hoping to win
Demetrius's favor, tells him of their plan.
Meanwhile, a group of Athenian craftsmen, led by Peter Quince, plan to perform a play,
"Pyramus and Thisbe," for Theseus's wedding. The enthusiastic but bumbling Nick Bottom is
assigned the role of Pyramus.
DLCNOTES© 2024
William Shakespeare
Plot Summary, Themes & Characters
ACT 1
The play opens in Athens, where Duke Theseus is preparing for his wedding to Hippolyta, queen
of the Amazons. Egeus, an Athenian nobleman, arrives with his daughter Hermia and her two
suitors, Lysander and Demetrius. Egeus demands that Hermia marry Demetrius, whom he has
chosen for her, but Hermia loves Lysander. Theseus gives Hermia an ultimatum: obey her father,
face death, or become a nun.
Hermia and Lysander decide to flee to the forest to escape Athenian law and marry in secret.
They confide in Helena, Hermia's friend who is in love with Demetrius. Helena, hoping to win
Demetrius's favor, tells him of their plan.
Meanwhile, a group of Athenian craftsmen, led by Peter Quince, plan to perform a play,
"Pyramus and Thisbe," for Theseus's wedding. The enthusiastic but bumbling Nick Bottom is
assigned the role of Pyramus.
DLCNOTES© 2024
