At the start of the play, Oberon and Titania’s relationship is strained. They have been arguing over a little changeling boy, who both of them want to keep. Titania will not tell him where the boy is when he visits her.

‘Tarry, rash wanton.’ (Oberon, 2:1)

‘…with they brawls they have disturbed our sport.’ (Titania, 2:1)

Oberon decides to put the magic potion in Titania’s eyes with the help of his servant Puck. He seems to want to teach her a lesson.

‘Wake when some vile thing is near.’ (Oberon, 2:2)

Once Titania has seen and fallen in love with Bottom, Oberon seems to forgive her and wants to put an end to their arguments. They reunite before the end of the play.

‘Come my queen, take hands with me…’ (Oberon, 4:1)

When Titania first sees Bottom she falls in love with him instantly because of the potion, even though he has the head of a donkey. Bottom is confused as to why someone so beautiful would love him but is also besotted with the fairy queen and her attention.

‘And thy fair virtue’s force perforce doth move me, On first view to say, to swear, I love thee.’ (Titania, 3:1)

‘…reason and love keep little company these days.’ (Bottom, 3:1)

Titania showers Bottom with gifts and gives him everything he wants, much to the amusement of her fairy servants.

‘Or say, sweet love, what thou desir’st to eat?’ (Titania, 4:1)

When the potion is reversed and Titania sees Bottom clearly, still with his donkey’s head, she falls instantly out of love with him and thinks he is horrible.

‘O how mine eyes do loathe his viasge now!’ (Titania, 4:1)

At the start of the play, Oberon and Titania’s relationship is strained. They have been arguing over a little changeling boy, who both of them want to keep. Titania will not tell him where the boy is when he visits her.

‘Tarry, rash wanton.’ (Oberon, 2:1)

‘…with they brawls they have disturbed our sport.’ (Titania, 2:1)

Oberon decides to put the magic potion in Titania’s eyes with the help of his servant Puck. He seems to want to teach her a lesson.

‘Wake when some vile thing is near.’ (Oberon, 2:2)

Once Titania has seen and fallen in love with Bottom, Oberon seems to forgive her and wants to put an end to their arguments. They reunite before the end of the play.

‘Come my queen, take hands with me…’ (Oberon, 4:1)

Puck is Oberon’s servant and seems willing to do anything for his master, although Puck’s mischievous side comes across clearly. Oberon tasks Puck with his own errands and seems to trust him.

‘I’ll put a girdle round about the earth, In forty minutes.’ (Puck, 2:1)

‘My gentle Puck, come hither’. (Oberon, 2:1)

Oberon is annoyed at Puck when he mistakes Lysander for Demetrius and directs him to go and fix it.

‘I go, I go, look how I go! Swifter than an arrow from a Tartar’s bow.’ (Puck, 3:2)

‘This is thy negligence.’ (Oberon, 3:2)

Once Puck has fixed his mistake their relationship seems to be restored and Oberon treats Puck with the same respect he did before.

‘Welcome, good Robin.’ (Oberon, 4:1)

When Titania first sees Bottom she falls in love with him instantly because of the potion, even though he has the head of a donkey. Bottom is confused as to why someone so beautiful would love him but is also besotted with the fairy queen and her attention.

‘And thy fair virtue’s force perforce doth move me, On first view to say, to swear, I love thee.’ (Titania, 3:1)

‘…reason and love keep little company these days.’ (Bottom, 3:1)

Titania showers Bottom with gifts and gives him everything he wants, much to the amusement of her fairy servants.

‘Or say, sweet love, what thou desir’st to eat?’ (Titania, 4:1)

When the potion is reversed and Titania sees Bottom clearly, still with his donkey’s head, she falls instantly out of love with him and thinks he is horrible.

‘O how mine eyes do loathe his viasge now!’ (Titania, 4:1)

Puck is Oberon’s servant and seems willing to do anything for his master, although Puck’s mischievous side comes across clearly. Oberon tasks Puck with his own errands and seems to trust him.

‘I’ll put a girdle round about the earth, In forty minutes.’ (Puck, 2:1)

‘My gentle Puck, come hither’. (Oberon, 2:1)

Oberon is annoyed at Puck when he mistakes Lysander for Demetrius and directs him to go and fix it.

‘I go, I go, look how I go! Swifter than an arrow from a Tartar’s bow.’ (Puck, 3:2)

‘This is thy negligence.’ (Oberon, 3:2)

Once Puck has fixed his mistake their relationship seems to be restored and Oberon treats Puck with the same respect he did before.

‘Welcome, good Robin.’ (Oberon, 4:1)

At the start of the play, Demetrius wants to marry Hermia but she is in love with Lysander.

‘…I refuse to wed Demetrius.’ (Hermia, 1:1)

‘Relent sweet Hermia.’ (Demetrius, 1:1)

Demetrius follows Hermia after learning she has run away with Lysander. When Lysander disappears Hermia blames Demetrius for killing him and does not trust him.

‘Out dog! Out Cur!’ (Hermia, 3:2)

When Demetrius wakes and falls in love with Helena, Hermia is more concerned about Lysander than Demetrius and blames Helena for what is happening.

‘My love to Hermia melted as the snow.’ (Demetrius, 4:1)

At the start of the play Helena is in love with Demetrius, who she was once engaged to, but he does not love her anymore. She tells him that Hermia is running away into the forest and he goes to follow her instead.

‘Through Athens I am thought as fair as she…Demetrius thinks not so.’ (Helena, 1:1)

Helena and Demetrius’ relationship gets worse in the forest. She follows after him and Demetrius tells her to go home. She claims she will just love him more.

‘I love thee not, therefore pursue me not.’ (Demetrius, 2:1)

‘You draw me you hard-hearted adamant.’ (Helena, 2:1)

Demetrius is affected by the love potion that Puck has given him and he suddenly falls in love with Helena. His behaviour has changed so quickly, she thinks it’s a cruel joke.

‘Oh Helen, goddess, nymph, perfect, divine!’ (Demetrius, 3:2)

‘O spite! O hell! I see you are all bent to set against me for your merriment.’ (Helena, 3:2)

By the end of the play Demetrius and Helena’s relationship has been restored and they are in love with each other.

‘The object and the pleasure of mine eye, Is only Helena.’ (Demetrius, 4:1)

‘I have found Demetrius like a jewel, Mine own, and not mine own.’ (Helena, 4:1)

At the start of the play, Lysander and Hermia’s relationship seems strong. They have decided to marry each other even though Hermia's father wants her to marry Demetrius and the Duke, Theseus, has threatened that she will die if she doesn’t obey her father.

‘…gentle Hermia, may I marry thee.’ (Lysander, 1:1)

‘Before the time I did Lysander see, seem’d, Athens as a paradise to me…He hath turned a heaven unto a hell.’ (Hermia, 1:1)

Lysander and Hermia run away together into the forest to escape her father’s plan and Theseus’ decision. They stay together in the forest but Hermia asks that they sleep apart and Lysander respects this.

‘One turf shall serve as pillow for us both.’ (Lysander, 2:2)

Lysander is affected by the love potion that Puck gives to him by mistake. It causes him to fall in love with Helena instead, because she is the first thing he sees. This hurts Hermia, who is confused and upset.

‘Content with Hermia? No, I do repent the tedious minutes I with her have spent.’ (Lysander, 2:2)

‘…can you do me greater harm than hate?’ (Hermia, 3:2)

When the effects of the potion wear off, Lysnader’s feelings for Hermia return and the two of them get married, with Theseus conducting the service.

‘For in the temple, by and by, with us, these couples shall eternally be knit.’ (Theseus, 4:1)

Egeus has complete power over Hermia, and is able to decide who she will marry. At the start of the play he chooses to use an ancient law to threaten her with death if she does not obey him in marrying Demetrius.

‘I beg the ancient privilege of Athens: As she is mine, I may dispose of her.’ (Egeus, 1:1)

‘Be advis’d fair maid. To you your father should be as a God.’ (Theseus, 1:1)

‘I would my father look’d but with my eyes.’ (Hermia, 1:1)

Hermia pulls back some power by running away with Lysander, to escape Egeus’ commands.

‘Lysander and myself will fly this place.’ (Hermia, 1:1)

Egeus’ power over Hermia is removed by Theseus’ decree at the end of the play, which allows her to marry Lysander and disobey her father.

‘Fair lover, you are fortunately met…For in the temple…These couple shall eternally be knit.’ (Theseus, 4:1)

At the start of the play, Demetrius wants to marry Hermia but she is in love with Lysander.

‘…I refuse to wed Demetrius.’ (Hermia, 1:1)

‘Relent sweet Hermia.’ (Demetrius, 1:1)

Demetrius follows Hermia after learning she has run away with Lysander. When Lysander disappears Hermia blames Demetrius for killing him and does not trust him.

‘Out dog! Out Cur!’ (Hermia, 3:2)

When Demetrius wakes and falls in love with Helena, Hermia is more concerned about Lysander than Demetrius and blames Helena for what is happening.

‘My love to Hermia melted as the snow.’ (Demetrius, 4:1)

At the start of the play, Lysander and Hermia’s relationship seems strong. They have decided to marry each other even though Hermia's father wants her to marry Demetrius and the Duke, Theseus, has threatened that she will die if she doesn’t obey her father.

‘…gentle Hermia, may I marry thee.’ (Lysander, 1:1)

‘Before the time I did Lysander see, seem’d, Athens as a paradise to me…He hath turned a heaven unto a hell.’ (Hermia, 1:1)

Lysander and Hermia run away together into the forest to escape her father’s plan and Theseus’ decision. They stay together in the forest but Hermia asks that they sleep apart and Lysander respects this.

‘One turf shall serve as pillow for us both.’ (Lysander, 2:2)

Lysander is affected by the love potion that Puck gives to him by mistake. It causes him to fall in love with Helena instead, because she is the first thing he sees. This hurts Hermia, who is confused and upset.

‘Content with Hermia? No, I do repent the tedious minutes I with her have spent.’ (Lysander, 2:2)

‘…can you do me greater harm than hate?’ (Hermia, 3:2)

When the effects of the potion wear off, Lysnader’s feelings for Hermia return and the two of them get married, with Theseus conducting the service.

‘For in the temple, by and by, with us, these couples shall eternally be knit.’ (Theseus, 4:1)

Lysander knows Helena as the best friend of Hermia, who he wants to marry. Helena is the only person who knows when Hermia and Lysander run away together. He respects her and seems to want things to work out between her and Demetrius.

‘Helen adieu. As you on him, Demetrius dote on you.’ (Lysander, 1:1)

Lysander and Helena’s relationship changes when Puck gives him the love potion and makes him fall in love with her. Helena is confused because she knows how much he loved Hermia, her best friend.

‘And run through fire I will for thy sweet sake.’ (Lysander, 2:2)

‘I thought you lord of more true gentleness.’ (Helena, 2:2)

Helena becomes more confused as Lysander makes great declarations of love, thinking the whole thing must be a joke.

‘O spite! O hell! I see you are all bent to set against me for your merriment.’ (Helena, 3:2)

Lysander and Helena’s relationship returns to normal as the love potion is reversed and Lysander returns to loving Hermia.

At the start of the play Helena is in love with Demetrius, who she was once engaged to, but he does not love her anymore. She tells him that Hermia is running away into the forest and he goes to follow her instead.

‘Through Athens I am thought as fair as she…Demetrius thinks not so.’ (Helena, 1:1)

Helena and Demetrius’ relationship gets worse in the forest. She follows after him and Demetrius tells her to go home. She claims she will just love him more.

‘I love thee not, therefore pursue me not.’ (Demetrius, 2:1)

‘You draw me you hard-hearted adamant.’ (Helena, 2:1)

Demetrius is affected by the love potion that Puck has given him and he suddenly falls in love with Helena. His behaviour has changed so quickly, she thinks it’s a cruel joke.

‘Oh Helen, goddess, nymph, perfect, divine!’ (Demetrius, 3:2)

‘O spite! O hell! I see you are all bent to set against me for your merriment.’ (Helena, 3:2)

By the end of the play Demetrius and Helena’s relationship has been restored and they are in love with each other.

‘The object and the pleasure of mine eye, Is only Helena.’ (Demetrius, 4:1)

‘I have found Demetrius like a jewel, Mine own, and not mine own.’ (Helena, 4:1)

Lysander knows Helena as the best friend of Hermia, who he wants to marry. Helena is the only person who knows when Hermia and Lysander run away together. He respects her and seems to want things to work out between her and Demetrius.

‘Helen adieu. As you on him, Demetrius dote on you.’ (Lysander, 1:1)

Lysander and Helena’s relationship changes when Puck gives him the love potion and makes him fall in love with her. Helena is confused because she knows how much he loved Hermia, her best friend.

‘And run through fire I will for thy sweet sake.’ (Lysander, 2:2)

‘I thought you lord of more true gentleness.’ (Helena, 2:2)

Helena becomes more confused as Lysander makes great declarations of love, thinking the whole thing must be a joke.

‘O spite! O hell! I see you are all bent to set against me for your merriment.’ (Helena, 3:2)

Lysander and Helena’s relationship returns to normal as the love potion is reversed and Lysander returns to loving Hermia.

At the start of the play, Egeus has come to Theseus to get his approval and support as he is trying to make Hermia marry Demetrius. As the Duke of Athens, Theseus has a lot of power in this situation.

‘Thanks good Egeus. What’s the news with thee’. (Theseus, 1:1)

‘Full of vexation come I, with complaint, Against my child.’ (Egeus, 1:1)

At the end of the play, Theseus uses his power over Egeus and overrules his decision, allowing Hermia and Lysander to marry.

‘Egeus, I will overbear your will.’ (Theseus, 4:1)

At the start of the play, Egeus has come to Theseus to get his approval and support as he is trying to make Hermia marry Demetrius. As the Duke of Athens, Theseus has a lot of power in this situation.

‘Thanks good Egeus. What’s the news with thee’. (Theseus, 1:1)

‘Full of vexation come I, with complaint, Against my child.’ (Egeus, 1:1)

At the end of the play, Theseus uses his power over Egeus and overrules his decision, allowing Hermia and Lysander to marry.

‘Egeus, I will overbear your will.’ (Theseus, 4:1)

Egeus has complete power over Hermia, and is able to decide who she will marry. At the start of the play he chooses to use an ancient law to threaten her with death if she does not obey him in marrying Demetrius.

‘I beg the ancient privilege of Athens: As she is mine, I may dispose of her.’ (Egeus, 1:1)

‘Be advis’d fair maid. To you your father should be as a God.’ (Theseus, 1:1)

‘I would my father look’d but with my eyes.’ (Hermia, 1:1)

Hermia pulls back some power by running away with Lysander, to escape Egeus’ commands.

‘Lysander and myself will fly this place.’ (Hermia, 1:1)

Egeus’ power over Hermia is removed by Theseus’ decree at the end of the play, which allows her to marry Lysander and disobey her father.

‘Fair lover, you are fortunately met…For in the temple…These couple shall eternally be knit.’ (Theseus, 4:1)