A Midsummer Night’s Dream –
Summary of the play
Once upon a time the evil dad Egeus came to his friend, the duke Theseus, and asked him to
enact the Athenian law which allows Egeus to choose his daughter’s future husband. Hermia
is actually in love with Lysander but is supposed to marry Demetrius who had an affair with
Helena who is in love with him. Not complicated enough? They run away into the forest, not
a regular forest but a magical forest full of fairies! Meanwhile a group of craftsmen rehearse
a play for the wedding of Theseus and his beautiful wife-to-be, the Amazon queen Hippolyta.
And where do they rehearse? Of course in the forest! There we get to know the fairy king
Oberon, his servant Puck, the queen Titania and her fairies. The king and queen quarrel about
an Indian boy they both want to have for themselves and by doing so, they bring nature out
of balance. Oberon wants to enchant Titania with the help of a magical flower and since he
noticed the complicated lover’s fight, he wants to help those Athenians youths by enchanting
them as well. Unfortunately, Puck mistakes them and brings even more chaos into the lover’s
fight. The enchanted Titania falls in love with one of the acting craftsmen, Bottom, who – by
the way – has received an ass’s head by Puck.
But somehow it all turns out okay and everyone is reunited with their beloved ones. They all
come back to Athens to watch a hilarious play and they really lived happily ever after.
Rollenprofile
Theseus (m)
The duke of Athens, plans his wedding to Hippolyta. Egeus comes to him in Act I to decide over
Hermia’s faith. In Act V he chooses which play to watch before the wedding and comments on
everything. A very strong and powerful decision maker who represents order in the play while he is
also deeply in love with Hippolyta.
-CROSSOVER-CAST CHARACTER with Prince Henry-
Hippolyta (f)
The queen of the Amazons, engaged to Theseus. Beautiful and proud, also represents the order but
has sympathy towards Hermia. Cheerful at the end, also laughs about the play.
-CROSSOVER-CAST CHARACTER with Captain Dumaine-
Egeus (m/f)
The “evil” father/mother, wants to decide whom Hermia will marry according to his right as her
father/mother. Since she refuses his/her order, s/he asks Theseus to enforce Athenians law. Later
also joins Theseus and Hippolyta in searching for the lovers and watching the play.
-CROSSOVER-CAST CHARACTER with Widow/er-
Philostrate/Fairy (m/f)
Philostrate is Theseus’ Master of the revels (Herrscher der Freuden/Hofzensor), organizes the
wedding celebrations. The fairy is the first one to appear and introduces us to Titania, arguing with
Puck. Might be carrying secret notes between Theseus and Titania who might be having a little affair
but psssst!
Hermia (f)
Must decide between death, a life as a nun, or to marry Demetrius, which means that she has to give
up her love to Lysander. She rebels against her father’s will and duke Theseus’ ultimatum – and flees
with Lysander to the forest. Helena is her childhood friend, but their friendship is put to the test when
Puck starts to enchant Lysander and Demetrius.
Helena (f)
Her love to Demetrius, with whom she had an affair, is close to obsession. She primarily is jaundiced
about his rejection and love to Hermia. Often reacts desperate, but also ambivalent; her friendship to
Hermia is questionable, also due to her loyalty to Demetrius. Helena is generally insecure and
suspicious, especially when Lysander and Demetrius both fall in love with her in the forest.
Lysander (m)
Courageous and determined to marry Hermia. Annoyed by Egeus’ preference for Demetrius, reacts
witty and rebellious. When facing Demetrius, he is rather combative. He is willing to do everything for
Hermia, which proves his strong affection for her.
Demetrius (m)
is, at least in Egeus‘ eyes, the perfect son-in-law – and conscious about his reputation and standing. He
is not very interested in his affair to Helena, but rather in Hermia and his claim to marry her. Does he
really love Hermia? Or does he only want to restore his relationship to Egeus (and his wealth)? Or does
he only want to win against Lysander?
Quince/ Prologue (m/f)
A carpenter (Zimmermann) and the leader of the craftsmen’s group who rehearse and present the
play ‘Pyramus and Thysbe’ for Theseus and Hippolyta’s wedding. S/he is frequently annoyed by
Bottom who tries to take the lead. S/he plays the Prologue.
Snug/ Moth/ Lion (m/f)
Snug is a joiner (Tischler) who is to play the lion. He fears to frighten to ladies with his roaring (and is
in general a rather fearful person.) Moth is one of Titania’s fairies who dance for her and attend to
Bottom once Titania falls in love with him. Both parts share character traits.
Flute/ Peaseblossom/ Thisby (m/f)
Flute is a bellows-mender (Blasebalgflicker) who is to play Thysbe, a young girl in love, against his
wish. He intends to use a high-pitched voice for that. Peaseblossom is one of Titania’s fairies who
dance for her and attend to Bottom once Titania falls in love with him. Both parts share character
traits.
Snout/ Cobweb/ Wall (m/f)
Snout is a tinker (Kesselflicker) who is to play Wall. (S/he might be a rather dull person.) Cobweb is
one of Titania’s fairies who dance for her and attend to Bottom once Titania falls in love with him.
Both parts share character traits.
Starveling/ Mustardseed/ Moon (m/f)
Starveling is a tailor (Schneider) who is to play Moonshine. S/he pays a lot attention to detail.
Mustardseed is one of Titania’s fairies who dance for her and attend to Bottom once Titania falls in
love with him. S/he is rather fiery and quick. Both parts share character traits.
Oberon (m)
King of the fairies. Power play with Titania, as both quarrel over an Indian boy, whom Oberon wants
to train for his personal entourage. Appears rather emotional and enraged in the direct fight with
Titania – obviously, he prefers pulling the strings behind the scenes. He orders Puck to get the magical
flower in order to enchant Titania. Some of his lines will be transformed into songs.
Titania (f)
Queen of the fairies. Takes custody of an Indian boy, who is the son of a friend that died. She is
outraged at Oberon’s demand to hand over the boy. Knows about the natural catastrophes caused by
their quarrel, but ignores Oberon and avoids facing him. Enchanted by Oberon, she falls in love with
Bottom, who’s head is transformed by Puck into that of a donkey.
Puck (m/f)
Oberon’s servant. As “merry wanderer of the night”, he enjoys playing tricks on others, but primarily
to amuse his king Oberon. Very obedient to him and fights for his recognition. Mistakes the Athenians
he is supposed to unite, and applies the love potion to Lysander instead of Demetrius. Puck also
transforms Bottom’s head into that of an ass – thus he is the trouble-maker in the play, but with partly
good intentions. Resolves the chaos in the end. Some of his lines will be transformed into songs.
Bottom/ Pyramus (m/f)
The weaver (Weber), extremely self-confident and self-assured, believes to be able to play all roles in
the groups’ play for the duke. Arrogant and slightly big-headed, he interrupts Quince several times,
but maintains his standing in the group. Gets partly transformed to an ass by Puck, which he is not
aware of. When Titania falls in love with him, he is only a little surprised, and adjusts to the situation
without really questioning it. In the group’s play he enacts Pyramus, the male lead role who dies
dramatically.