Play description

ACT I

Scene 1. In Athens, preparations are underway for the wedding of Duke Theseus to Hippolyta, Queen

of the Amazons. An angry father, Egeus, comes to the ducal palace and accuses Lysander of

bewitching his daughter Hermia, even though she is already betrothed to Demetrius. Hermia confesses

her love for Lysander, and Theseus tells her that according to the law, she must either die or enter a

nunnery if she refuses to marry the man chosen by her father. He gives her until the new moon to

decide. Hermia and Lysander decide to run away; they agree to meet the following night in a wood

outside the city. They tell Helena, Hermia's childhood friend, of their plan; she, however, is in love

with Demetrius, who has rejected her for Hermia, and she hopes to regain his favor by telling him of

the lovers' intentions.

Scene 2. A group of Athenian workmen, "rude mechanicals," are preparing an entertainment to be

performed at the Duke's wedding. They have chosen "The most lamentable comedy and most cruel

death of Pyramus and Thisby."