A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream Summary | Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

A Midsummer Night's Dream begins in Athens at the palace of Theseus. Theseus enters with Hippolyta, Philostrate and their attendants. Theseus and Hippolyta are to be married in four days, and they eagerly await their wedding. Theseus sends Philostrate into the city to encourage the young citizens to celebrate the happy event. Although Theseus won Hippolyta in war, he intends to wed her with revelry and joy.

Egeus enters with Hermia, Lysander and Demetrius. Egeus wishes his daughter, Hermia, to marry Demetrius, but she has refused and insists that she loves Lysander. Egeus blames the situation on Lysander, who has stolen Hermia's affections. Exasperated, Egeus has brought his complaint to Theseus and hopes that he will settle the matter by forcing Hermia to either marry Demetrius or be executed according to Athenian Law.

Theseus confirms that if Hermia does not agree to marry Demetrius, she must either be executed or retire to a convent for the rest of her life. Hermia remains adamant that she prefers a convent to a marriage against her preference. Theseus gives her until his own wedding with Hippolyta to consider her choice.

Demetrius, Lysander and Egeus begin to argue. Demetrius wants Lysander to give Hermia up. Lysander asks Egeus to consider his suit, since he has as much fortune as Demetrius. Additionally, Demetrius has been wooing Helena, and she is deeply in love with him. Theseus tells Demetrius and Egeus that he wishes to speak with them in private about the matter. In parting, Theseus repeats his warning to Hermia of the consequences should she continue to defy her father's will. Everyone exits save for Hermia and Lysander.

Alone together, Lysander and Hermia lament that "the course of true love never did run smooth." Lysander has a wealthy aunt who lives outside of Athens and would be willing to take him in as her son. He asks Hermia to meet him tomorrow night in the woods, and together they will flee. Hermia agrees with the plan and promises to be there. Their conversation is interrupted by the entrance of Helena.

Helena is miserable because Demetrius has left her for Hermia. Hermia insists that she has shown no favor to Demetrius, but he pursues her anyway. She tells Helena of Lysander's plan for them to meet in the woods and flee. The two lovers exit, as Helena muses over how happy their situation is compared to her own. Although Helena is attractive, Demetrius has shifted his affections to Hermia, leaving Helena to pursue him hopelessly.

Helena blames the foolishness of love, which "...looks not with the eyes but with the mind; And therefore is winged cupid painted blind..." for her wrongs. Although it is a betrayal of her friend, Hermia, Helena resolves to tell Demetrius of Lysander and Hermia's plan to escape. She knows that Demetrius will follow the pair into the woods, and she herself will follow Demetrius in the hopes of regaining his attention.