enchanted forest, Puck puts his love potion into the wrong eyes, by mistake, such that both Lysander and Demetrius fall in love with Helena. But this is an error, not an intentional ploy to cause trouble (though Puck is amused by the troubles that follow, saying "what fools these mortals be"). Althoughtragedy could have ensued, had Lysander or Demetrius killed each other over Helena, in this light-hearted romp everything works out. If, as the play notes "the course of true love never did run smooth," in this magical world it all comes out right, and every misunderstanding is resolved before any lasting damage has been done.

In Othello, however, the malevolent Iago plots to destroy Othello and attacks him at his weakest point, his love for Desdemona. Othello is older than Desdemona, and as a Moor, darker skinned, and though a triumphant warrior, he feels highly insecure in love. Iago exploits that insecurity to plant in Othello's mind the idea that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, who acted as a go-between when Othello was courting Desdemona. Iago ruthlessly plays on Othello's fears as well as the sense of honor so important to a warrior, plants "evidence" in the form of a handkerchief to tar Desdemona, and in the end it all goes badly. Whereas in the enchanted world of A Midsummer Night's Dream violence is averted, Othello tragically and needlessly murders his wife.