The Woods: Most of the rest of the play took place in the woods. The biggest example of this is when Lysander and Hermia got married in the woods and when they put on the play for the wedding.
"You, Pyramus' father.—Myself, Thisbe’s father.—Snug the joiner, you, the lion’s part.—And I hope here is a play fitted." (1.2.29-32)
The palace: Most of the the beginning of the play took place in the palace when Lysander was talking to the duke about his love for Hermia. The duke did not approve of the relationship of Lysander and Hermia since Hermia was to marry Demitrius. Lysander and Hermia planed to leave the palace.
"A good persuasion. Therefore, hear me, Hermia.
I have a widow aunt, a dowager
Of great revenue, and she hath no child.
From Athens is her house remote seven leagues,
160And 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. If thou lovest me then,
Steal forth thy father’s house tomorrow night." (1.1.156-164)
The Play
Occurrences:
This was introduced in scene 2 of act 1. They started practising and rehearsing in act 3. In the 5th act it was finally performed at the weeding and it went terrible.
Key Quotations: (1.2.5-6)
(5.1)
The Royals
Occurrences: In act 1, Theseus and his soon to be wife are introduced to the duke of Athans.
Key Quotations: 1.1.1
The potion
Occurrences:
In the play Oberon casts a spell on titania for revenge. He later undoes the spell out of pitty.
Key Quotations: (4.1.43)
Mid Summers Night Dream
The use of Humour
Key Quotations: You have her father’s love, Demetrius.
Let me have Hermia’s. Do you marry him.
(1.1.93-94)
Key characters: Lysander
Settings
Themes
Symbols/Motifs
Conflicts
One of the main conflicts in the play is when the duke says that if Hermia doesn't marry Damitrious, he will have her killed or make her become a nun and never lose her virginity.
Full of vexation come I with complaint
Against my child, my daughter Hermia.—
Stand forth, Demetrius.—My noble lord,
25This man hath my consent to marry her.—
Stand forth, Lysander.—And my gracious duke,
This man hath bewitched the bosom of my child.— (1.1.22-29)
Love leading to madness
Key Quotations: My good Lysander!
I swear to thee by Cupid’s strongest bow,
170
By his best arrow with the golden head,
By the simplicity of Venus' doves,
By that which knitteth souls and prospers loves,
(1:1, 169- 173)
Key Characters: Hermia, Helina, Demetrius, Lysander
Characters
Peaseblossom,
Mustardseed,
Cobweb,
Moth
Obedient
(3.1.81)
And sing while thou on pressèd flowers dost sleep.
And I will purge thy mortal grossness so
That thou shalt like an airy spirit go.—
Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, and Mustardseed!"
Snug, Tom Snout, Robin Starveling, Francis Flute, Philostrate
Fearful
(3.1.48-49)
"I’ll follow you. I’ll lead you about a round
Through bog, through bush, through brake, through brier."
Peter Quince
Leader Figure
(1.2-16)
"Flute, you must take Thisbe on you."
Lysander
Determined
Demetrius
Mean
(2.2.60)
"Stay, on thy peril. I alone will go."
Helena
Inflexible
(2.1.190-195)
"Use me but as your spaniel—spurn me, strike me,
Neglect me, lose me. Only give me leave,
Unworthy as I am, to follow you.
What worser place can I beg in your love—
And yet a place of high respect with me—
Than to be usèd as you use your dog?"
Hermia
Sneaky
(1:1, 169- 173)
My good Lysander!
I swear to thee by Cupid’s strongest bow,
170
By his best arrow with the golden head,
By the simplicity of Venus' doves,
By that which knitteth souls and prospers loves,
Egeus
Demanding
(1.1.40-45)
Consent to marry with Demetrius,
I beg the ancient privilege of Athens,
As she is mine, I may dispose of her:
Which shall be either to this gentleman
Or to her death, according to our law
Immediately provided in that case.
I beg the ancient privilege of Athens,
As she is mine, I may dispose of her:
Which shall be either to this gentleman
Or to her death, according to our law
Immediately provided in that case."
Robin Goodfellow
Destructive
(2.2.64-70)
"Love and languish for his sake.
Be it ounce or cat or bear,
Pard or boar with bristled hair,
In thy eye that shall appear,
When thou wakest, it is thy dear.
Wake when some vile thing is near."
Titania
Caring
(2.1.107-110)
"Set your heart at rest.
The Fairyland buys not the child of me.
His mother was a votaress of my order,
And in the spicèd Indian air by night
Full often hath she gossiped by my side”
Oberon
Greedy
(2.2.15-23)
(squeezing flower juice on TITANIA ’s eyelids)
What thou seest when thou dost wake,
Do it for thy true love take.
Love and languish for his sake.
Be it ounce or cat or bear,
Pard or boar with bristled hair,
In thy eye that shall appear,
When thou wakest, it is thy dear.
Wake when some vile thing is near."
Hippolyta
Positive
(1.1.7-11)
"Four days will quickly steep themselves in night.
Four nights will quickly dream away the time.
And then the moon, like to a silver bow
10New bent in heaven, shall behold the night
Of our solemnities."
Theseus
Powerful
(1.1.20)
“Happy be Theseus, our renownèd duke.”
