A Midsummer Night’s Dream delivers a comedic tale of an ancient Greek love triangle, which falls apart under hilarious circumstances in the woods with the help of some mischievous fairies, who in the end convince the humans that the night’s strange events must have been just a dream.
A Midsummer Night's Dream Summary
The play centers around the marriage of Duke Theseus of Athens and Queen Hippolyta of the Amazons. The beginning of the play reveals a love triangle: Hermia is in love with Lysander, but she is supposed to marry Demetrius who is in love with her. Helena loves Demetrius. Hermia wants to go against her father Egeus’ wishes, which enrages him and he appeals to the Duke.
Meanwhile, Peter Quince’s theater troupe plans to put on a performance of Pyramus and Thisbe for the wedding entertainment. Nick Bottom is going to be playing the part of Pyramus, but becomes so excited that he wants to turn the play into a one-man show.
At the same time, the king and queen of the fairies, Oberon and Titania, arrive in the forest outside of Athens for the wedding. Oberon is angry at Titania because she won’t give him her changeling, so he asks Puck the sprite to mix up a potion that when put on the eyelids of a sleeping person causes them to fall in love with the first thing they see in the morning. He wants Titania to fall in love with an animal of the forest so that he can use that as leverage to get the changeling from her.
Hermia and Lysander escape from Egeus into the forest; Helena, hoping to gain favor with Demetrius, tells him where they’ve gone, and they follow them into the forest as well. Oberon sees that Demetrius treats Helena with cruelty and instructs Puck to put some of that same potion on Demetrius; however, Puck accidentally puts it on Lysander instead. Helena stumbles upon Lysander and he instantly falls in love with her. Oberon realizes something has gone wrong, so he puts the potion on Demetrius while Puck brings Helena to him. Now both men are in love with Helena, but Helena doesn’t believe either man is being sincere. Hermia is heartbroken by Lysander’s betrayal, and Lysander and Demetrius prepare to duel until Oberon and Puck intervene, separating the two men.
Puck sees Nick Bottom and the other players rehearsing in the forest, and he turns Nick Bottom’s head into a donkey’s head, scaring the other players. Titania awakens with the potion on her eyes and instantly falls in love with the donkey-headed Bottom. Oberon takers her changeling and arranges Puck to reverse the potion and convince everyone they were only dreaming. Demetrius loves Helena now, so Hermia is free to marry Lysander. King Theseus decides all of the couples should get married. Puck ends the play by suggesting to the audience that the play might have been a dream.
Create your own Storyboard
Try it for Free!Create your own Storyboard
Try it for Free!Check out our lesson plans for A Midsummer Night's Dream!
Date Published: 1595
Genre: Comedy
Major Themes: Love; magic and the supernatural; the power of dreams; transformation
Famous Quote: “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.”
Check out all of our Shakespeare Resources
- Types of Shakespeare Plays
- Romeo and Juliet
- Macbeth
- Hamlet
- Othello
- Julius Caesar
- Richard III
- King Lear
- The Tempest
- Twelfth Night
- Sonnet 73
- A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Picture Encyclopedia of Shakespeare Plays
How Tos about A Midsummer Night's Dream Summary
Engage students with a Midsummer fact-finding scavenger hunt
Organize a classroom scavenger hunt focused on Midsummer traditions and facts. List clues around the room that relate to Midsummer customs, foods, and celebrations. Students work in teams to find and discuss each clue, promoting active learning and curiosity.
Connect Midsummer to science by exploring daylight changes
Show students how Midsummer relates to the summer solstice and changes in daylight. Use a globe and flashlight to demonstrate Earth’s tilt and sunlight patterns. Discuss why days are longer and how this affects cultures celebrating Midsummer.
Spark creativity with Midsummer-inspired art projects
Invite students to create art that represents Midsummer festivals. Provide materials for flower crowns, sun-themed drawings, or festival posters. Encourage students to use their research to inspire their creations, deepening their understanding through hands-on activity.
Compare global Midsummer celebrations using a Venn diagram
Guide students to research and compare how different countries celebrate Midsummer. Draw a Venn diagram on the board to visualize similarities and differences. This strategy helps students grasp cultural diversity and common themes.
Encourage reflection with a Midsummer journal prompt
Ask students to write a short journal entry imagining their own Midsummer celebration. Prompt them to include traditions, foods, and activities they would enjoy. This supports personal connection and creative thinking about the topic.
Frequently Asked Questions about A Midsummer Night's Dream Summary
What is Midsummer and why is it celebrated?
Midsummer is a traditional holiday marking the middle of summer, often celebrated around the summer solstice. Many cultures honor Midsummer with festivals, dances, and rituals to welcome the longest day and sunlight, symbolizing growth and abundance.
How do different countries celebrate Midsummer?
Sweden celebrates with maypoles and folk dances, while Finland lights bonfires and holds lake parties. In England, people gather at Stonehenge. Each country has unique customs reflecting their history and local traditions.
What are some traditional Midsummer activities for students?
Popular activities include crafting flower crowns, learning folk dances, making summer-inspired art, and exploring nature. Outdoor games, storytelling, and science lessons about the solstice are also engaging for students.
What is the difference between Midsummer and the Summer Solstice?
The Summer Solstice is the astronomical event when the sun is highest in the sky, while Midsummer is the cultural celebration that often happens close to the solstice, featuring rituals and festivals.
Why is Midsummer important in folklore and literature?
Midsummer plays a key role in stories, myths, and plays, like Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. It often symbolizes magic, transformation, and the power of nature in literature and folklore.
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office