Midsummer Night's Dream ACT II Scene ii HANDOUT
Miss Simison
31 January 2007
Handout III

The way these Fairyland characters speak is very light and graceful, which Shakespeare did to express their spirit-like nature. The fairies use bat wings for elf coats:
“Some war with rere-mice (bats) for their leathern wings,
To make my small elves coats; and some keep back….” (lines4-5)

This reminds us that……..what?

We read both a lullaby by the fairies and an incantation by Oberon:
The lullaby tries to ward off spells and charms The incantation puts a charm on Titania.
The lullaby names eight small animals and The incantation adds six large animals to the list.
insects plus a nightengale.
The lullaby asks that nothing come near the queen. The incantation asks for something to come near, and that the viler it is, the better.

What is not covered by either song?

So what’s up with Hermia and Lysander? We haven’t seen very much of either of them but they’re supposed to be meeting in the woods and Helena and Demetrius are out there looking for them!

Does Lysander seem confident to you? Why?


What is his response to Hermia hoping he’ll love her till he dies?


This is a scene when things really pick up! When Oberon told Puck to go find the two mortals wearing Athenian clothes, what did he not take into account?

Convenient coincidence:
Hermia made a big issue over not sleeping too near Lysander:
“Nay good Lysander. For my sake, my dear
Lie further off yet; do not lie so near.” (lines 43-44)

So, to wrap things up:
Titania’s eyes have been enchanted! She awaits being awakened by her destined “beloved.”

Puck has mistaken Lysander for Demetrius, OOPS! Now Lysander will love Helena!


We have an even worse situation than we had at the beginning: neither man loves the woman who loves him.
Hermia‡ Lysander ‡ Helena ‡ Demetrius ‡ Hermia
Got it? Good! Everyone dance!