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   luannw Teacher
   High School - 11th Grade

   In Act 2, sc. 1, Titania and Oberon quarrel.  Oberon is upset that Titania is spending so much of her time and attention on a changeling child she has brought with her from India.  The boy's mother was one of Titania's ladies-in-waiting as well as one of her friends.  The woman, who was mortal, died giving birth to the child, who is part fairy, and Titania, for the sake of their friendship, has taken the child ro raise.  Titania feels an obligation to this boy and apparently dotes on him which has caused Oberon to resent the child.  Oberon wants to bring the boy into his fold to be his "henchman", but Titania does not want that.  She is not ready to give up the boy yet. Oberon figures that if Titania is consumed with love for someone - as the juice from the flower would cause - then he'll be able to take the boy from her because her attention won't be on the boy.  Oberon doesn't care with whom or with what Titania falls in love; he just wants her attention diverted so he can take the boy.  Then Titania will pay attention to him again.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/midsummer/act-ii-scene-1-summary-an...

   http://www.enotes.com/midsummer/summary

   http://www.enotes.com/midsummer/themes

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   Posted by luannw on Saturday April 11, 2009 at 5:58 AM