A Midsummer Night's Dream Act I: Scene i Summary & Analysis

Setting

• Location: Palace of Theseus, Duke of Athens.
• Occasion: Discussion of the upcoming wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta.

Characters Introduced

• Theseus: Duke of Athens, impatiently awaiting his wedding.
• Hippolyta: Queen of the Amazons, betrothed to Theseus.
• Philostrate: Master of the Revels, ordered to create entertainment for the wedding.
• Egeus: A citizen of Athens, father of Hermia, who wants his daughter to marry Demetrius.
• Hermia: Daughter of Egeus, in love with Lysander, but promised to Demetrius.
• Lysander: Hermia's beloved, not the choice of her father.
• Demetrius: The suitor Egeus favors for Hermia, previously betrothed to Helena.
• Helena: In love with Demetrius, who has abandoned her for Hermia.

Key Plot Points

1. Wedding Arrangements: Theseus and Hippolyta discuss their forthcoming wedding.
2. Egeus's Complaint: Egeus demands that Hermia marries Demetrius, as he has arranged.
3. Hermia's Dilemma: Hermia is given a choice by Theseus: marry Demetrius, face death, or become a nun.
4. Lysander's Accusation: Lysander points out Demetrius's fickle nature, having loved Helena previously.
5. Elopement Plan: Hermia and Lysander decide to escape to Lysander's aunt's house to marry away from Athenian law.
6. Helena’s Scheme: Helena decides to inform Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander's plan, hoping to win back his affection.

Themes and Analysis

• Love's Difficult Path: Reflecting the famous line, "The course of true love never did run smooth," illustrating the love challenges.
• Lovers' Imbalance: The play sets up an imbalance by having both men love Hermia, leaving Helena out, hinting at structural and emotional discord.
• Comedy and Farce: Characters are portrayed in exaggerated manners, both serious about their emotions and often in absurd situations.
• Magic and Resolution: The play hints at magic resolving these imbalances by the end, as depicted in the fairies’ intervention.

Important Quotes

• "The course of true love never did run smooth."
• "Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind."

Structural Elements

• The mix of serious romantic conflicts and comedic elements set the tone for the play as a farcical comedy.
• The tension between parental authority and romantic desire.

Discussion Points

• The implications of Theseus's options for Hermia and how it reflects societal norms.
• The possible outcomes of Helena's plan and her motivations.

This summary highlights the foundational conflicts and character dynamics that propel the narrative into a comedic exploration of love and choice.