Illustration of a donkey-headed musician in between two white trees

A Midsummer Night's Dream

by William Shakespeare

Start Free Trial

Student Question

Who first suggests using the love potion on Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream?

Quick answer:

Oberon, the king of the fairies, first suggests using the love potion on Titania. He instructs Puck to apply the potion to her eyelids to distract her and gain control of a changeling boy they are disputing over. Oberon later decides to use the potion on Demetrius to make him love Helena, but Puck mistakenly applies it to Lysander, causing a comedic mix-up in affections.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

Oberon tells the story of the potion and the white flower to Puck.  He orders Puck to get the juice to put on Titania's eyelids.  In the play, he also decides to put it on Demetrius' eyes so that he would fall in love with Helena again.  However, Puck puts it instead on Lysander's eyes who, having loved Hermia, sees Helena and falls in love with her.  From there, it's a complete and hysterical mess.

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

In A Midsummer Night's Dream, who first suggests using the love potion on Titania?

Oberon, the king of the fairies and Titania's husband, is the character who sends Puck to put the love potion on Titania's eyes. He and Titania have been arguing over a changeling, a boy, which Titania possesses and Oberon desires for his own. He wants Titania to become spellbound, lovesick over some "vile thing," so that he can take the child without her noticing or protesting.

In fact, Titania and her changeling are the main reason why Oberon instructs Puck to fetch the magical flower with the love potion effect. Demetrius is an afterthought of Oberon's after he witnesses Helena's pursuit of Demetrius and his cruel dismissal of her affection. Lysander is a mere innocent bystander.

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.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial