Act I, Scene 1 Summary
At the opening of the play A Midsummer Night's Dream, by William Shakespeare, the duke of Athens, Theseus, and his fiancée, Hippolyta (the queen of the Amazons, whom he has kidnapped), are discussing their wedding plans. They are to be wed in a mere four days. Excited by their forthcoming wedding, they plan to begin celebrating four days in advance, with constant entertainment and partying leading up to their wedding date.
As the couple discuss these plans, a citizen of Athens, Egeus, and his daughter, Hermia, enter the room. They are followed by Demetrius and Lysander, two Athenian youths who are in love with Hermia. The father, Egeus, is furious that his daughter is refusing to marry Demetrius as he has ordered her to. Hermia, however, is in love with Lysander. Egeus pleads with Theseus to use his power as duke to force Hermia to marry Demetrius.
Initially, Theseus demands that Hermia obey her father and marry Demetrius or be sent away to a convent or put to death. However, Lysander steps in and reminds Theseus that Demetrius is not a respectable suitor, since he backed away from a previous engagement to Hermia's friend Helena after meeting Hermia. Theseus considers this and then orders Hermia to decide, in the next four days leading up to his marriage to Hippolyta, whether she will marry Demetrius, spend the rest of her life in a convent, or be put to death.
Hermia and Lysander are distraught at the outcome of the meeting with Theseus. They curse the trials of star-crossed lovers and devise a plan to flee from Athens to somewhere they can be safe to love each other without fear or oppression from Hermia's father or Athenian law. They decide to run away to Lysander's aunt, who lives outside of Athens. Once free from the reach of Athenian law, they can marry.
As the couple are making these plans to leave during the night, Hermia's friend Helena appears to the lovers. She confides that she is deeply saddened by Demetrius's lack of love for her. The couple comforts her and then tell Helena of their plan to flee Athens to be together. Helena realizes that if she tells Demetrius of the young couple's plan, he will likely follow them into the woods. Helena thinks that perhaps if she pursues Demetrius into the woods, she will have the chance to win his heart again.
Expert Q&A
Who is Nedar in Act 1, Scene 1, Line 109 of A Midsummer Night's Dream?
In Act 1, Scene 1, Line 109 of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Nedar is identified as Helena's father. His character is briefly mentioned and not much else is known about him. Literary scholars suggest that the name Nedar could be an anagram of "Arden," a reference to Shakespeare's maternal ancestry, or related to the river Neda in Greece, though the latter theory is less substantiated.
How does Helena's soliloquy in act 1, scene 1, lines 226–251, of A Midsummer Night's Dream influence the play's actions?
Helena's soliloquy in act 1, scene 1, lines 226–251, of A Midsummer Night's Dream influences the play's actions by driving the plot forward. Her determination to inform Demetrius about Hermia and Lysander's elopement leads to a series of events involving the fairies' intervention, mistaken identities, and enchantments, culminating in significant confusion and emotional turmoil for both Hermia and Helena.
Why does Egeus claim Lysander is unworthy of Hermia in Act 1, Scene 1 of A Midsummer Night's Dream?
In Act 1, Scene 1, Egeus claims Lysander is unworthy of Hermia because he believes Lysander is insincere and merely attempting to seduce her. Egeus accuses Lysander of wooing Hermia with false love and gifts, thereby "filching" her heart. Moreover, Egeus is upset that Lysander is challenging his paternal authority by encouraging Hermia to disobey him, which further solidifies his view that Lysander is not a suitable match for his daughter.
What is the key dramatic unit in Act 1, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream?
The key dramatic unit in Act 1, Scene 1 of A Midsummer Night's Dream is the introduction of the love triangle between Hermia, Lysander, and Demetrius. This creates dramatic tension as Hermia defies her father's wish for her to marry Demetrius, highlighting themes of patriarchy versus individual desire. The scene's climax occurs when Hermia and Lysander plan to flee, setting the play's plot into motion and raising questions about love's triumph or tragedy.
What does Theseus promise Hippolyta in Act 1, Scene 1?
In Act 1, Scene 1, Theseus promises Hippolyta a wedding filled with joy, peace, and festivity, contrasting with the violence of their initial encounter. He vows to "wed thee in another key, with pomp, with triumph, and with reveling," suggesting a celebratory event akin to a Roman triumphal parade. This promise hints at his view of Hippolyta as a conquest, reflecting the play's exploration of different forms of love and control.
Based on act 1, scene 1 of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, how does Theseus view women?
In act 1, scene 1 of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Theseus shows by his treatment of Hermia and of Hippolyta, his own bride-to-be, that his attitude towards women is wholly patriarchal and that he believes the patriarchy should be imposed on women by Athenian law and maintained by force whenever necessary.
In A Midsummer Night's Dream, what are Helena's comments on love at the end of act 1, scene 1?
Helena's comments at the end of Act 1, Scene 1, reflect on the irrational nature of love. She notes that love can transform "base and vile" things into beautiful ones and argues that love is guided by the mind, not the eyes, suggesting love's blindness and lack of judgment. Her remarks highlight love's unpredictability and the emotional over logic, as seen in her willingness to betray a friend to win Demetrius's affection.
In the context of Act 1, Scene 1 of A Midsummer Night's Dream, can you create some word-play around a scene, situation, or circumstance?
In Act 1, Scene 1 of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hermia's use of "fair" to describe Helena offers wordplay opportunities. "Fair" can mean beautiful, just, or light-skinned, and Helena uses it to express both a compliment and envy. To create wordplay, consider words like "see/sea," "spectacles," or "glass," which have dual meanings and relate to themes of perception and love's blindness. This approach can creatively expand on the scene's dynamics.
In A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 1, Scene 1, what desires do Theseus, Hippolyta, Hermia, Lysander, Helena, Demetrius, and Egeus have, aside from marriage?
In Act 1, Scene 1, Theseus and Hippolyta are focused on their impending wedding, while Egeus desires control over Hermia's marriage, valuing paternal authority. Hermia and Lysander wish to marry for love, defying Egeus's choice of Demetrius. Helena is obsessed with Demetrius, longing for his affection despite his interest in Hermia. These desires highlight themes of love's complexities, authority, and obsession beyond mere marriage aspirations.
How does Helena explain Demetrius' sudden shift of affection from her to Hermia in Act 1, Scene 1?
Helena explains Demetrius' shift of affection by highlighting the power of Hermia's eyes, suggesting that when Demetrius saw Hermia, he transferred his love from Helena to Hermia. She laments that, despite being considered as beautiful as Hermia, Demetrius does not see her that way, attributing his change of heart to an error in judgment and the captivating influence of Hermia's appearance.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.
