Plot Summary

Act I

Scene 1

• Duke Theseus of Athens plans his wedding to Hippolyta.
• Egeus demands Theseus enforce the law against his daughter Hermia, who refuses to marry Demetrius, Egeus's choice because she loves Lysander.
• Theseus gives Hermia a choice: marry Demetrius, face death, or become a nun.
• Hermia and Lysander plan to flee to Lysander's aunt's house to marry.
• Hermia's friend Helena, who loves Demetrius, decides to inform Demetrius of their plan.

Scene 2

• A group of Athenian craftsmen, led by Peter Quince, plan to perform a play, "Pyramus and Thisbe," for Theseus's wedding.
• Nick Bottom is given the role of Pyramus and enthusiastically suggests improvements.

Act II

Scene 1

• Oberon, king of the fairies, and Titania, queen of the fairies, quarrel over a changeling boy.
• Oberon instructs Puck to fetch a magical flower whose juice, when applied to sleeping eyelids, makes the person fall in love with the first creature they see upon waking.
• Oberon overhears Helena and Demetrius and decides to use the flower on Demetrius to make him love Helena.

Scene 2

• Oberon applies the flower juice to Titania's eyes.
• Puck mistakenly applies the juice to Lysander's eyes, causing him to fall in love with Helena upon waking.
• Helena is confused and upset by Lysander's sudden affection.

Act III

Scene 1

• The craftsmen rehearse their play in the forest.
• Puck transforms Bottom's head into that of a donkey.
• Titania awakens and falls in love with Bottom.

Scene 2

• Puck realizes his mistake and applies the juice to Demetrius's eyes.
• Both Lysander and Demetrius now love Helena, who believes they are mocking her.
• Hermia is bewildered by Lysander's rejection.
• Oberon orders Puck to fix the lovers' situation.
• Puck uses fog and enchantments to separate the lovers and applies an antidote to Lysander's eyes.

Act IV

Scene 1

• Titania dotes on Bottom.
• Oberon, having obtained the changeling boy, releases Titania from the spell.
• Theseus, Hippolyta, and Egeus discover the lovers in the forest.
• Theseus overrides Egeus's wishes, allowing the couples to marry as they desire: Lysander with Hermia, and Demetrius with Helena.
• The bottom's head is restored to normal.

Scene 2

• The craftsmen worry about Bottom's disappearance.
• Bottom returns, and they prepare to perform their play.

Act V

Scene 1

• The play "Pyramus and Thisbe" is performed at the wedding celebration.
• The play is comically flawed, but it entertains the audience.
• After the play, the fairies bless the couples.
• Puck delivers a final monologue, asking for the audience's applause and suggesting the events might have been a dream.