A Midsummer’s Night Dream Act 1 Scene 1

Act 1 Theseus, Hermia, Lysander, and Helena face are facing many problems, and they decide how they are going to solve them. Theseus, Hermia, Lysander, and Helena face are facing many problems, and they decide how they are going to solve them.

Background Information Time and Place Time and Place The characters Theseus and Hippolyta were borrowed from Greek mythology. The characters Theseus and Hippolyta were borrowed from Greek mythology. In Greek Mythology: In Greek Mythology: Theseus was considered a hero of Athens. He was thought to be a friend of Heracles (Hercules) Theseus was considered a hero of Athens. He was thought to be a friend of Heracles (Hercules) Hippolyta (Queen of the Amazons, a group of female warriors) Hippolyta (Queen of the Amazons, a group of female warriors). Theseus took her as his prisoner and then married her.. Theseus took her as his prisoner and then married her.

Vocabulary Preview austerity n. condition of lacking pleasure or luxury austerity n. condition of lacking pleasure or luxury beguile v. to trick beguile v. to trick cloister n. place where members of a religious community live cloister n. place where members of a religious community live dote v. to love with foolish fondness dote v. to love with foolish fondness extenuate v. to lessen the seriousness of extenuate v. to lessen the seriousness of feign v. to pretend feign v. to pretend idolatry n. false worship idolatry n. false worship reveling enjoying festivities reveling enjoying festivities

Characters Duke Theseus of Athens is the cousin of Hercules (the mythic strong man of Greek mythology) Duke Theseus of Athens is the cousin of Hercules (the mythic strong man of Greek mythology) When Shakespeare introduces us to Theseus in Act 1 scene 1 he is anxiously awaiting his upcoming marriage to Hippolyta When Shakespeare introduces us to Theseus in Act 1 scene 1 he is anxiously awaiting his upcoming marriage to Hippolyta Hippolyta is an Amazon queen he captured in battle Hippolyta is an Amazon queen he captured in battle

Characters continued Egeus is a nobleman and the old fashioned father of Hermia Egeus is a nobleman and the old fashioned father of Hermia Hermia is in love with Lysander, but is set to marry Demetrius. Hermia is in love with Lysander, but is set to marry Demetrius. Lysander is a young nobleman and a rival of Demetrius. Lysander is a young nobleman and a rival of Demetrius. Demetrius is a nobleman who is in love with Hermia. Demetrius is a nobleman who is in love with Hermia. Helena is an old friend of Hermia’s, who is in love with Demetrius. Helena is an old friend of Hermia’s, who is in love with Demetrius.

The Rundown Act 1 Scene 1 Act 1 Scene 1 The scene takes place at the palace of Duke Theseus of Athens The scene takes place at the palace of Duke Theseus of Athens Four days before the wedding of Theseus to Hippolyta Four days before the wedding of Theseus to Hippolyta Egeus arrives at court with his daughter Hermia and two rivals Demetrius and Lysander Egeus arrives at court with his daughter Hermia and two rivals Demetrius and Lysander Egeus demands that Hermia marry Demetrius his choice of a husband Egeus demands that Hermia marry Demetrius his choice of a husband Shakespeare reveals to us that Hermia would rather marry Lysander Shakespeare reveals to us that Hermia would rather marry Lysander

The Rundown continued Egeus believes that Lysander is responsible for Hermia’s disobedience Egeus believes that Lysander is responsible for Hermia’s disobedience Theseus agrees with Egeus that Demetrius is a good match for Hermia Theseus agrees with Egeus that Demetrius is a good match for Hermia Theseus states that according to law a daughter must obey her father, and failure to do so results in execution or a life in a convent. Theseus states that according to law a daughter must obey her father, and failure to do so results in execution or a life in a convent. Lysander declares that he is an equal suitor Lysander declares that he is an equal suitor Theseus plans on talking to Demetrius about dating Helena and abandoning her. Theseus plans on talking to Demetrius about dating Helena and abandoning her.

Lysander speaks to Hermia in private and reminds her that love always has plenty obstacles and unsolicited advice. Lysander speaks to Hermia in private and reminds her that love always has plenty obstacles and unsolicited advice. Lysander suggests to Hermia that they avoid Athenian law and elope to his wealthy Aunt’s 16 miles from Athens. Lysander suggests to Hermia that they avoid Athenian law and elope to his wealthy Aunt’s 16 miles from Athens. Hermia accepts Lysander’s proposal, and they tell Helena who in turn tells Demetrius. Hermia accepts Lysander’s proposal, and they tell Helena who in turn tells Demetrius.

Questions What approaching event is referred to in the opening lines of the play? What approaching event is referred to in the opening lines of the play? Who were the Amazons? Who were the Amazons? What purpose of the opening scene? What purpose of the opening scene? What is the point of Lysander’s comment that “The course of true love never did run smooth?” What is the point of Lysander’s comment that “The course of true love never did run smooth?” Who is more influenced by money Lysander or Demetrius? Who is more influenced by money Lysander or Demetrius?

Questions continued Who is more influenced by love Lysander or Demetrius? Who is more influenced by love Lysander or Demetrius? Why would Demetrius deserve a scolding from Theseus? Why would Demetrius deserve a scolding from Theseus? Consider the elopement plans. Why does the plan take into consideration distance, law, money, a doting widowed aunt, a short period of time, the woods, and the darkness? Consider the elopement plans. Why does the plan take into consideration distance, law, money, a doting widowed aunt, a short period of time, the woods, and the darkness?