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A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Act I Scene 1.
NARRATOR #1:We have a story, strange but true,
That we would like to share with you.
We set the stage to begin our show
In Athens, Greece, quite long ago.
NARRATOR #2:Duke Theseus of Athens was in command,
Ruling his people with a firm, steady hand.
A Queen named Hippolyta would soon share his life
In just four days, they’d be husband and wife.
NARRATOR #1:Throughout this great city, the excitement grew.
A huge feast was planned. And entertainment, too!
These arrangements were made at a feverish rate,
But the business of governing would not wait.
NARRATOR #2:A man named Egeus burst into the room;
His face was furrowed with fury and gloom.
His daughter, Hermia, felt the strain.
She knew her father was there to complain.
NARRATOR #3:A young man, Lysander, followed behind.
Passionate love thoughts enveloped his mind.
He cherished dear Hermia, that was clear.
So did Demetrius, who brought up the rear.
Egeus bows low to Duke Theseus and steps forward to speak.
EGEUS:Duke Theseus, I ask you to help me and order
My daughter to marry the man I picked for her.
Demetrius is the husband I chose,
But to this poor man she snubs her nose.
She wants to be Lysander’s wife,
But I won’t allow it! Not on your life!
She must do as I say and listen to me,
Or prepare to die. That is the decree!
THESEUS:Young lady, you’re making your father irate,
And on this matter there will be no debate.
Fathers choose husbands! That is the rule!
So marry Demetrius. Don’t be a fool.
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HERMIA:I despise Demetrius! I say that with candor.
And I am devoted to handsome Lysander.
This love in my heart cannot be swayed.
To marry another would be a charade.
THESEUS:If you refuse to be Demetrius’s wife,
Then you must choose to forfeit your life,
Or live in a convent the rest of your days.
You must decide soon. There will be no delays.
HERMIA:I will not obey you. This law I defy!
I’ll become a nun. I’ll even die!
LYSANDER:I’m as rich as Demetrius and as well born.
Why must you treat our love with such scorn?
And furthermore, I wish to say,
Demetrius loved Helena until yesterday.
He courted the lady and won her soul.
I tell you, Demetrius has no self-control!
THESEUS:The law of Athens cannot be denied.
By my wedding day, you will have to decide.
Theseus exits with Hippolyta. Egeus and Demetrius follow after them.
NARRATOR #3:The Duke and his group then quickly departed.
Hermia was desolate and broken-hearted.
LYSANDER:Don’t cry, Hermia. Your tears I will soothe.
The course of true love never did run smooth.
An aunt of mine lives seven leagues away.
We could go to her house without delay.
There we shall marry, and end this sorrow.
Run away with me at twilight tomorrow.
HERMIA:Lysander, I vow by Cupid’s bow,
Tomorrow night I’ll be ready to go.
Helena enters.
NARRATOR #3:Now in came Helena, Hermia’s best friend.
She looked like she was at her wit’s end.
HELENA:Hermia, you know Demetrius is my life.
But he dotes only on you. He won’t make me his wife.
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Teach me, Hermia. Tell me what to do.
If only I were as beautiful as you.
HERMIA:Oh, poor Helena, please don’t cry.
I promise you I can’t stand that guy!
I frown on him coldly, yet he loves me still.
But I love Lysander and always will.
LYSANDER:We’re running away tomorrow night.
It’s the only way to solve our plight.
HERMIA:Farewell, sweet friend, please pray for us.
May good luck grant you your Demetrius!
Lysander and Hermia exit.
HELENA:Through Athens I am thought as fair as she.
So why does Demetrius love her more than me?
(She suddenly has an idea.)
I’ll tell Demetrius of their scheme;
He’ll thank me for sure, then I’ll be supreme!
Act I Scene 2.
NARRATOR #4:Now all this time, not far away,
Six jolly men were practicing a play.
They would perform it for Theseus and his bride.
In the house of Peter Quince they gathered inside.
QUINCE:Is everyone here? We need to act fast.
Now, listen, as I call out the names of the cast.
Nick Bottom, the weaver, you will play
Pyramus, a lover most gallant who kills himself for love.
BOTTOM:I’ll have all the ladies in showers of tears.
They’ll remember my acting for many years.
My Pyramus will be hard to resist.
But proceed, dear Quince, go on with your list.
QUINCE:Francis Flute, you will play Thisbe.
FLUTE:What is Thisbe? A wandering knight?
QUINCE:Oh no, my young friend. Thisbe is a she,
And madly in love with Pyramus, you see.
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FLUTE:Let me not play a woman. That would be weird.
Besides, can’t you see that I’ve started a beard?
BOTTOM:Let me be Thisbe!
I’ll speak like a lady, as sweet as a dove.
(in a high voice) Oh, Pyramus! Pyramus, you are my love.
QUINCE:No, you must play Pyramus. Flute will play Thisbe.
Now, Robin Starveling, the tailor–
STARVELING:Here, Peter Quince!
QUINCE:You will play the moonlight.
Tom Snout, the tinker–
SNOUT:Here, Peter Quince!
QUINCE:You will play the wall.
Snug, the joiner, you will play the Lion.
SNUG:Give me the script now, for I am concerned
The part will take me some time to learn.
I am slow of study. I implore!
QUINCE:Don’t worry, all you do is roar.
BOTTOM:Let me play the Lion too!
I can roar better than any of you!
(loudly) Roar!
QUINCE:You might scare the ladies, and that would be wrong.
BOTTOM:Then I will roar soft as a nightingale’s song.
(Softly) Roar. Roar.
QUINCE:No! You only play Pyramus! No more debate!
Any more talk I will not tolerate!
We’ll meet in the woods tomorrow night
And rehearse our play by the moon’s silver light.
Act II Scene 1a.
NARRATOR #5:Lysander and Hermia met as was planned,
And trudged through the forest, hand clutching hand.
Demetrius followed the couple’s route.
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And Helena followed him in hot pursuit.
NARRATOR #6:But in the dark woods, as the mortals took flight,
The fairies held revels far into the night.
Oberon was the king of the fairy land.
The little sprites jumped at his every command.
But for fairies too, life’s not always serene.
Oberon had quarreled with Titania, his Queen.
OBERON:Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania.
TITANIA:Jealous Oberon, why are you here?
Since the start of midsummer, we’ve had this feud.
It’s put all of nature in an angry mood!
OBERON:Then fill your Oberon’s heart with joy.
I do but beg your servant boy.
Come now, Titania, it’s my only request.
He’ll be my helper, and we’ll end this unrest.
TITANIA:You do not seem to comprehend.
This boy is the son of a very dear friend.
I promised her I’d raise her son,
And I won’t give him to anyone.
The fairy land buys not the child of me
Come hither, my elves. Away we shall flee!
Titania and her fairies exit.
OBERON:I’ll need some help to change my bad luck.
I call upon my spirit, Puck!
NARRATOR #5:Robin Goodfellow was Puck’s real name.
In the world of magic he held much acclaim.
Puck was always playing jokes
On any unsuspecting folks.
Puck enters and speaks directly to the Narrator.
PUCK:(To the Narrator) Thou speak’st aright.
I am that merry wanderer of the night!
OBERON:I need you to find an unusual flower.
I’m in frantic need of its magical power.
When sleeping eyes are streaked with its juice,
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A powerful love potion is set loose.
I’ll drop this nectar in the fairy queen’s eyes,
And when she awakens she’ll have a surprise.
For the next thing she sees, be it bull or bear,
She will suddenly feel a love most rare.
I will not cancel this magic spell
Till she gives me the boy. Then all will be well.
PUCK:Yes, King Oberon, this flower I’ll find.
I can do it so fast it will boggle your mind!
Puck runs off quickly.
Act II Scene 1b.
Demetrius enters, followed by Helena.
NARRATOR #7:Now Demetrius appeared, with Helena behind.
She was pleading with him to change his mind.
DEMETRIUS:I love thee not, therefore pursue me not!
HELENA:Demetrius, you are all my world!
I have to you my love unfurled.
I reported their plan. I did my part.
I beg you now, give me your heart!
DEMETRIUS:I love Hermia, and I always will.
I told you before, you make me ill!
HELENA:Even for that do I love you more.
I am your spaniel. Spurn me, strike me, neglect me,
Only let me follow you.
DEMETRIUS:I’ll leave you to the mercy of wild beasts!
HELENA:The wildest has a kinder heart than you!
Demetrius runs off, and Helena follows.
NARRATOR #7:Now Oberon was touched by Helena’s plight,
So he made a second promise on that night.
OBERON:This shameful conduct just won’t do.
I’ll use the flower on this lad too!
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When the young man awakes, he’ll see Helena’s face,
And she is the one he will want to embrace.
Puck enters with the purple love flower.
PUCK:I’ve circled the globe to find this flower
With its strong and magic power.
Then back I flew through the night
Soaring at the speed of light.
OBERON:Welcome, wanderer! That is well done.
We’ll do our tricks now, one by one.
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows.
There sleeps Titania some time of the night,
Lulled in these flowers with dances and delight.
I’ll meet Titania for our rendezvous.
This juice will make my dreams come true.
Now, you must find the Athenian youth
Who is running about here so wild and uncouth.
The lady he scorns follows close behind.
You must give this Demetrius a change of mind.
Take some of this juice and anoint his eyes.
But make sure Helena is the first one he spies.
You’ll know the lad by his Athenian clothes.
Come back before the rooster crows.
PUCK:Fear not, my lord, your servant shall do so.
Act II Scene 2.
NARRATOR #8:But Puck was soon to commit a blunder.
He would mix up the couples, and that was no wonder.
Hermia and Lysander still wandered around.
The home of his aunt was nowhere to be found.
HERMIA:Lysander, stop! I’m so distressed.
I’m feeling faint. I need to rest.
Lysander, find you out a bed,
And I upon this bank will rest my head.
Puck enters and sees the sleeping lovers.
PUCK:There is the youth that Oberon chose,
For he is wearing Athenian clothes.
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And here is the maiden, sleeping sound
On the dank and dirty ground.
Now upon his eyes I throw
All the power this charm doth owe.
So awake when I am gone,
For I must now to Oberon.
Puck exits as Helena enters.
NARRATOR #9:Along came Helena, gasping for air.
Her heart was heavy and full of despair.
HELENA:Oh, I am out of breath in this fond chase.
The more my prayer, the lesser is my grace.
She sees Lysander and steps closer to him. She taps his shoulder to wake him.
HELENA:Lysander, if you live, good sir, awake . . .
He awakes and is immediately in love.
LYSANDER:. . . And run through fire I will for thy sweet sake!
HELENA:Don’t say such things, upon my life!
I know it’s Hermia you want for your wife.
LYSANDER:Not Hermia, but Helena I love.
Who will not change a raven for a dove?
HELENA:Your speech to me is like a thorn;
How dare you treat me with such scorn?
NARRATOR #8:Then she stomped off, in great disdain;
Lysander followed with a loving refrain.
NARRATOR #9:But what about Hermia, still sound asleep,
Lying on the grass in a curled-up heap?
Soon she awoke from a dreadful nightmare;
She couldn’t find Lysander anywhere.
HERMIA:Lysander, my love, what has occurred?
Out of hearing? Gone? No sound? No word?
Alack, where are you? Speak if you can!
NARRATOR #8:Then into the night she ran after her man.
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NARRATOR #9:As Hermia awoke from her slumber deep,
Titania, the fairy queen wanted to sleep.
TITANIA:Come Peaseblossom, Moth, and Mustardseed,
Come Cobweb, and sing me now to sleep.
PEASEBLOSSOM,
COBWEB, MOTH, &
MUSTARDSEED:You spotted snakes with double tongues,
Thorny hedgehogs, be not seen.
Newts and blind-worms, do no wrong,
Come not near our fairy queen.
Philomel, with melody, sing in our sweet lullaby.
Lull, lulla, lullaby, lulla, lulla, lullaby.
Never harm, nor spell nor charm,
Come our lovely lady nigh;
So, good night, with lullaby.
Weaving spiders, come not here,
Hence, you long-legg’d spinners, hence!
Beetles black, approach not near,
Worm nor snail, do no offense.
Philomel, with melody, sing in our sweet lullaby.
Lull, lulla, lullaby, lulla, lulla, lullaby.
Never harm, nor spell nor charm,
Come our lovely lady nigh;
So, good night, with lullaby.
NARRATOR #8:Oberon peered from behind the trees,
Then crept towards her on bended knees.
OBERON:What thou see’st when thou dost wake,
Do it for thy true love take;
Be it lynx or cat or bear,
Leopard, or boar with bristled hair,
When thou wak’st, it is thy dear.
Wake when some vile thing is near.
Oberon exits.
End of Part One
Act III Scene 1.
NARRATOR #10:In the moonlight, quite near where the fairy queen lay,
The six merry men were practicing their play.
Not one of them noticed Puck appear,
For he was invisible and had nothing to fear.
NARRATOR #11:Bottom stood up to practice his cue;
He wanted to be ready for his debut.
As he left the stage, Puck followed behind,
A cunning thought brewing in his mind.
NARRATOR #12:What happened next is hard to conceive.
His friends saw a sight they could not believe.
When Bottom returned, he had a new head,
No longer a man’s, but a donkey’s instead!
SNOUT:Oh, Bottom, you’ve changed! What do I see on your face?
QUINCE:Oh, monstrous, oh strange, let us fly from this place!
Quince and the other Mechanical run away in fear.
BOTTOM:What do you see? Why do you flee?
Is this to make a donkey of me?
I’ll show them that I have no fear.
I’ll march and sing out loud and clear.
(He sings.)
The finch, the sparrow, and the lark--
Hee haw! Hee haw!
Titania wakes and approaches him.
TITANIA:I pray thee, gentle mortal, sing again.
Mine ear is much enamoured of thy strain;
I am enchanted by your lovely notes.
Come, fairy servants, bring him some oats.
Let’s wrap sweet roses in his hair.
He’s beautiful beyond compare.
Peaseblossom! Cobweb! Moth! And Mustardseed!
Attend this mortal, whatever he may need.
The fairies bring food to Bottom and place a wreath of flowers on his head.
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PEASEBLOSSOM, COBWEB,
MUSTARDSEED, & MOTH:Hail, mortal!
PEASEBLOSSOM:I shall bring thee jewels from the deep.
COBWEB:And I shall sing while thou on flowers sleep.
MUSTARDSEED:I’ll pluck the wings from painted butterflies
To fan the moonbeams from your sleeping eyes.
Act III Scene 2.
NARRATOR #13:Back to his master Puck flew in a dash,
Intent to deliver the latest news flash.
PUCK:King of Shadows, please hear my report.
She’s in love with a monster, a donkey of sorts.
OBERON:Well done, Puck. That’s quite a surprise.
This falls out better than I could devise.
NARRATOR #13:Then they heard footsteps approaching their spot.
Hermia rushed in, looking distraught.
Hermia runs in, chased by Demetrius.
HERMIA:Demetrius, I fear you are up to no good.
Did you kill Lysander somewhere in this wood?
DEMETRIUS:I’m innocent, Hermia. Believe what I’ve said.
I’m sure Lysander is not dead.
Why do scold me so severely?
My only fault is to love you dearly.
HERMIA:Demetrius, I know you speak in jest.
I must find Lysander. Stop being a pest!
Hermia runs off, and Demetrius lies down exhausted.
OBERON (to Puck): Did you squeeze the juice into his eyes?
Tell me, Puck! And I want no lies.
PUCK:I remember the woman who looked so alarmed,
But that is not the man I charmed.
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OBERON:Puck, oh Puck, this isn’t right.
You chose the wrong man, you silly sprite!
Fly like the wind. Be Helena’s guide.