MND ACT III Scene ii
Miss Simison
8 February 2007
Handout IV

I know, I know, it was a long scene! But it was wonderful, right?

Puck tells Oberon about Bottom’s transformation and how the ass is the new object of Titania’s love.
“When in that moment, so it came to pass,
Titania wak’d and straightway loved an ass.” (lines 33-34)

Oberon is more than pleased with the result.

How do you think Puck feels when he is telling Oberon all the mischief he has been causing?


Who’s in the dark?
Demetrius: He left Helena before she woke Lysander up and was beloved of him because of the love-
charm. All he knows is that Helena told him of the planned elopement and he wants Hermia for himself and is searching for her.
Hermia: Lysander left her sleeping when he left to follow Helena. When she wakes up, she sees Demetrius, and we see Hermia begging Demetrius for information on Lysander’s location. Hermia says that Lysander would NEVER leave her side, and accuses Demetrius of killing Lysander.

As we know, Puck has made the mistake of applying the love-charm to Lysander instead of Demetrius.
“What hast thou done? Thou hast mistaken quite,
And laid the love juice on some true-love’s sight.
Of thy misprision must perforce ensue
Some true love turn’d, and not a false turn’d true.” (lines 88-91)

Puck has turned a true love into a false one and has not turned any false love true.


Oberon and Puck realize the mistake and as a quick fix, Oberon enchants Demetrius and sends Puck to find Helena so Demetrius can fall in love with her.

What is the simile Oberon uses to describe how Demetrius will see Helena when he wakes up?

Uh oh: both men love Helena and this makes for an interesting scene when all four lovers are together.
When Lysander and Helena enter the spot where Demetrius is napping, the moment when Lysander argues that Demetrius loves Hermia and not Helena is the same moment when Demetrius wakes up and immediately declared his great love for Helena:
Lysander: Demetrius loves her, and he loves not you
Demetrius: (Awakening) O Helen, goddess, nymph, perfect, divine! (lines 136-137)

Helena’s reaction?


How does Hermia think Helena has won Lysander?

Yes, even back in the 16th century, there were girl fights, and the argument that ensues between Hermia and Helena is priceless.

Oberon has an antidote for the love-charm and instructs Puck to apply it to Lysander. Oberon will apply it to Titania once he has the little Indian boy.

Puck and the voices:
Puck sees Lysander searching for Demetrius
Puck speaks in Demetrius’s voice and Lysander goes toward the voice
Demetrius enters after hearing Lysander’s voice.
Demetrius calls Lysander a coward.
Puck eggs Demetrius on by speaking like Lysander.
Puck leads Demetrius away.
Lysander comes back, is tired, and decides to rest
Puck tires Demetrius out and he, too, falls asleep.
Helena enters, also very tired, and asks for sleep in hopes that it will put her out of misery.
Hermia enters, exhausted and also falls asleep.



What are Hermia’s last words before she falls asleep?

Puck chants Lysander and gives him the antidote,

We leave the scene with all four lovers sleeping.