In 'King Lear,' King Lear asks his daughters to describe their love for him so he can decide how to divide his kingdom among them. His elder daughters, Goneril and Regan, emote flowery sentiments of love despite not truly loving him. The youngest daughter, Cordelia, truly loves her father, but feels so disgusted by her sisters' chicanery, she will only say she loves her father according to her duty. Unimpressed by Cordelia's answer, the King divides his kingdom between Goneril and Regan, keeping little for himself and giving nothing to Cordelia. Cordelia marries the King of France, moves away, and becomes a queen. Having extracted his riches, Goneril and Regan treat their father with disdain. Their betrayal drives King Lear half-mad, and he winds up wandering about the heath. Cordelia learns of her father's predicament and rescues him. Father and daughter might have lived happily ever after, however 'King Lear' is a tragedy, and a happy ending is not in store for our characters. Goneril and Regan's armies attack and defeat Cordelia's army, and the evil sisters throw Cordelia and King Lear into prison. Goneril's husband, the Duke of Albany, realizes his wife is wicked. Goneril kills Regan and then herself. Cordelia is hung in prison, and the old King dies of a broken heart.
In 'King Lear,' King Lear asks his daughters to describe their love for him so he can decide how to divide his kingdom among them. His elder daughters, Goneril and Regan, emote flowery sentiments of love despite not truly loving him. The youngest daughter, Cordelia, truly loves her father, but feels so disgusted by her sisters' chicanery, she will only say she loves her father according to her duty. Unimpressed by Cordelia's answer, the King divides his kingdom between Goneril and Regan, keeping little for himself and giving nothing to Cordelia. Cordelia marries the King of France, moves away, and becomes a queen. Having extracted his riches, Goneril and Regan treat their father with disdain. Their betrayal drives King Lear half-mad, and he winds up wandering about the heath. Cordelia learns of her father's predicament and rescues him. Father and daughter might have lived happily ever after, however 'King Lear' is a tragedy, and a happy ending is not in store for our characters. Goneril and Regan's armies attack and defeat Cordelia's army, and the evil sisters throw Cordelia and King Lear into prison. Goneril's husband, the Duke of Albany, realizes his wife is wicked. Goneril kills Regan and then herself. Cordelia is hung in prison, and the old King dies of a broken heart.
In 'King Lear,' King Lear asks his daughters to describe their love for him so he can decide how to divide his kingdom among them. His elder daughters, Goneril and Regan, emote flowery sentiments of love despite not truly loving him. The youngest daughter, Cordelia, truly loves her father, but feels so disgusted by her sisters' chicanery, she will only say she loves her father according to her duty. Unimpressed by Cordelia's answer, the King divides his kingdom between Goneril and Regan, keeping little for himself and giving nothing to Cordelia. Cordelia marries the King of France, moves away, and becomes a queen. Having extracted his riches, Goneril and Regan treat their father with disdain. Their betrayal drives King Lear half-mad, and he winds up wandering about the heath. Cordelia learns of her father's predicament and rescues him. Father and daughter might have lived happily ever after, however 'King Lear' is a tragedy, and a happy ending is not in store for our characters. Goneril and Regan's armies attack and defeat Cordelia's army, and the evil sisters throw Cordelia and King Lear into prison. Goneril's husband, the Duke of Albany, realizes his wife is wicked. Goneril kills Regan and then herself. Cordelia is hung in prison, and the old King dies of a broken heart.
The rich and powerful Montague and Capulet families of Verona have feuded for ages, refusing to speak to each other and erupting into street fights and duels. When Lord Capulet throws a masked party, a young Montague named Romeo sneaks in. While there, he meets and falls in love with Juliet, the daughter of Lord Capulet. Juliet falls in love with Romeo as well. However, Tybalt, Lady Capulet's nephew, also sees Romeo and is offended by the presence of his enemy. Later that night, Romeo sneaks under Juliet's window, and their conversation cements their love. Romeo and Juliet secretly marry with the help of Friar Laurence. Unfortunately, like King Lear, 'Romeo and Juliet' is a tragedy, and a happy ending is not in store for the young lovers. Later that day, Romeo encounters Tybalt in the street. Tybalt kills Romeo's friend, Mercutio, and Romeo kills Tybalt and is banished from Verona. Not knowing Juliet is already married, Lord Capulet asks her to marry a gentleman named Paris. To avoid marrying Paris, Juliet drinks a potion concocted by Friar Laurence that will make her appear to be dead. Romeo, believing Juliet has died, drinks poison and dies by her side. When Juliet awakens to find Romeo dead, she stabs herself and also dies. The Montague and Capulet families finally reconcile over their shared grief.
The rich and powerful Montague and Capulet families of Verona have feuded for ages, refusing to speak to each other and erupting into street fights and duels. When Lord Capulet throws a masked party, a young Montague named Romeo sneaks in. While there, he meets and falls in love with Juliet, the daughter of Lord Capulet. Juliet falls in love with Romeo as well. However, Tybalt, Lady Capulet's nephew, also sees Romeo and is offended by the presence of his enemy. Later that night, Romeo sneaks under Juliet's window, and their conversation cements their love. Romeo and Juliet secretly marry with the help of Friar Laurence. Unfortunately, like King Lear, 'Romeo and Juliet' is a tragedy, and a happy ending is not in store for the young lovers. Later that day, Romeo encounters Tybalt in the street. Tybalt kills Romeo's friend, Mercutio, and Romeo kills Tybalt and is banished from Verona. Not knowing Juliet is already married, Lord Capulet asks her to marry a gentleman named Paris. To avoid marrying Paris, Juliet drinks a potion concocted by Friar Laurence that will make her appear to be dead. Romeo, believing Juliet has died, drinks poison and dies by her side. When Juliet awakens to find Romeo dead, she stabs herself and also dies. The Montague and Capulet families finally reconcile over their shared grief.
The rich and powerful Montague and Capulet families of Verona have feuded for ages, refusing to speak to each other and erupting into street fights and duels. When Lord Capulet throws a masked party, a young Montague named Romeo sneaks in. While there, he meets and falls in love with Juliet, the daughter of Lord Capulet. Juliet falls in love with Romeo as well. However, Tybalt, Lady Capulet's nephew, also sees Romeo and is offended by the presence of his enemy. Later that night, Romeo sneaks under Juliet's window, and their conversation cements their love. Romeo and Juliet secretly marry with the help of Friar Laurence. Unfortunately, like King Lear, 'Romeo and Juliet' is a tragedy, and a happy ending is not in store for the young lovers. Later that day, Romeo encounters Tybalt in the street. Tybalt kills Romeo's friend, Mercutio, and Romeo kills Tybalt and is banished from Verona. Not knowing Juliet is already married, Lord Capulet asks her to marry a gentleman named Paris. To avoid marrying Paris, Juliet drinks a potion concocted by Friar Laurence that will make her appear to be dead. Romeo, believing Juliet has died, drinks poison and dies by her side. When Juliet awakens to find Romeo dead, she stabs herself and also dies. The Montague and Capulet families finally reconcile over their shared grief.
Three bearded witches tell Scottish generals Macbeth and Banquo that Macbeth will become chieftain of Cawdor and King of Scotland and Banquo will be the father of kings. Although skeptical at first, when Macbeth becomes chieftain of Cawdor, he begins to believe he will also become king. Macbeth writes to his wife, Lady Macbeth, telling her about the prophecy. Hungry to become a Queen, Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth into killing the current king and frames the servants guarding the king's doorway. Macbeth becomes King, but worries Banquo's sons will usurp his own in accordance with the prophecy. Macbeth succeeds in killing Banquo, but Banquo's son, Fleance, escapes. The ghost of Banquo haunts Macbeth, spurring him to seek out the three witches. The witches conjure their masters, who tell Macbeth to beware of Macduff, the chieftain of Fife, and that Macbeth will be unconquerable till Birnam Wood climbs Dunsinane Hill. Incited by the spirits, Macbeth sends murderers to Macduff's castle. Macduff is not there, but the murderers heartlessly slay his wife and children. Back at Dunsinane Hill, Lady Macbeth goes mad, believing her hands eternally spotted with blood, and dies. The English army marches on Dunsinane Hill, the soldiers holding aloft tree branches, fulfilling the prophecy of Birnam Wood marching up Dunsinane Hill. Macbeth falls to Macduff's sword, and the descendants of Banquo eventually became kings, bringing the final prophecy to fruition.
Three bearded witches tell Scottish generals Macbeth and Banquo that Macbeth will become chieftain of Cawdor and King of Scotland and Banquo will be the father of kings. Although skeptical at first, when Macbeth becomes chieftain of Cawdor, he begins to believe he will also become king. Macbeth writes to his wife, Lady Macbeth, telling her about the prophecy. Hungry to become a Queen, Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth into killing the current king and frames the servants guarding the king's doorway. Macbeth becomes King, but worries Banquo's sons will usurp his own in accordance with the prophecy. Macbeth succeeds in killing Banquo, but Banquo's son, Fleance, escapes. The ghost of Banquo haunts Macbeth, spurring him to seek out the three witches. The witches conjure their masters, who tell Macbeth to beware of Macduff, the chieftain of Fife, and that Macbeth will be unconquerable till Birnam Wood climbs Dunsinane Hill. Incited by the spirits, Macbeth sends murderers to Macduff's castle. Macduff is not there, but the murderers heartlessly slay his wife and children. Back at Dunsinane Hill, Lady Macbeth goes mad, believing her hands eternally spotted with blood, and dies. The English army marches on Dunsinane Hill, the soldiers holding aloft tree branches, fulfilling the prophecy of Birnam Wood marching up Dunsinane Hill. Macbeth falls to Macduff's sword, and the descendants of Banquo eventually became kings, bringing the final prophecy to fruition.
Three bearded witches tell Scottish generals Macbeth and Banquo that Macbeth will become chieftain of Cawdor and King of Scotland and Banquo will be the father of kings. Although skeptical at first, when Macbeth becomes chieftain of Cawdor, he begins to believe he will also become king. Macbeth writes to his wife, Lady Macbeth, telling her about the prophecy. Hungry to become a Queen, Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth into killing the current king and frames the servants guarding the king's doorway. Macbeth becomes King, but worries Banquo's sons will usurp his own in accordance with the prophecy. Macbeth succeeds in killing Banquo, but Banquo's son, Fleance, escapes. The ghost of Banquo haunts Macbeth, spurring him to seek out the three witches. The witches conjure their masters, who tell Macbeth to beware of Macduff, the chieftain of Fife, and that Macbeth will be unconquerable till Birnam Wood climbs Dunsinane Hill. Incited by the spirits, Macbeth sends murderers to Macduff's castle. Macduff is not there, but the murderers heartlessly slay his wife and children. Back at Dunsinane Hill, Lady Macbeth goes mad, believing her hands eternally spotted with blood, and dies. The English army marches on Dunsinane Hill, the soldiers holding aloft tree branches, fulfilling the prophecy of Birnam Wood marching up Dunsinane Hill. Macbeth falls to Macduff's sword, and the descendants of Banquo eventually became kings, bringing the final prophecy to fruition.
Pericles, new King of Tyre, flees when Antiochus, the wicked King of Antioch, wishes to kill him. Pericles' ship sinks, and he and his armor wash ashore in Pentapolis. Pericles uses his rusty armor and fighting prowess to win the hand of Princess Thaisa. When wicked King Antiochus dies, Pericles and Thaisa sail to Tyre. On the way, Thaisa dies giving birth to a baby girl, Marina. Thaisa's body is placed in a chest and cast into the sea. Pericles leaves daughter Marina in the care of the Governor of Tarsus and his wicked wife, Dionyza. When Marina outshines Dionyza's daughter, Dionyza plots to kill Marina. Dionyza believes her plot succeeds, but some pirates rescue Marina and sell her into slavery at Mitylene. Lysimachus, the governor of Mitylene, falls in love with Marina. Meanwhile, Pericles hears Marina is dead and falls into a depression and refuses to speak. When Pericles' ship comes to Mitylene, Marina sings to him and he realizes she is his daughter. Pericles also learns Thaisa is still alive and they are joyfully reunited. Rounding out the happy ending, Marina and Lysimachus marry. Despite its happy ending, 'Pericles' is one of Shakespeare's 'problem plays,' meaning it cannot easily be classified as either a comedy or a tragedy.
Pericles, new King of Tyre, flees when Antiochus, the wicked King of Antioch, wishes to kill him. Pericles' ship sinks, and he and his armor wash ashore in Pentapolis. Pericles uses his rusty armor and fighting prowess to win the hand of Princess Thaisa. When wicked King Antiochus dies, Pericles and Thaisa sail to Tyre. On the way, Thaisa dies giving birth to a baby girl, Marina. Thaisa's body is placed in a chest and cast into the sea. Pericles leaves daughter Marina in the care of the Governor of Tarsus and his wicked wife, Dionyza. When Marina outshines Dionyza's daughter, Dionyza plots to kill Marina. Dionyza believes her plot succeeds, but some pirates rescue Marina and sell her into slavery at Mitylene. Lysimachus, the governor of Mitylene, falls in love with Marina. Meanwhile, Pericles hears Marina is dead and falls into a depression and refuses to speak. When Pericles' ship comes to Mitylene, Marina sings to him and he realizes she is his daughter. Pericles also learns Thaisa is still alive and they are joyfully reunited. Rounding out the happy ending, Marina and Lysimachus marry. Despite its happy ending, 'Pericles' is one of Shakespeare's 'problem plays,' meaning it cannot easily be classified as either a comedy or a tragedy.
Pericles, new King of Tyre, flees when Antiochus, the wicked King of Antioch, wishes to kill him. Pericles' ship sinks, and he and his armor wash ashore in Pentapolis. Pericles uses his rusty armor and fighting prowess to win the hand of Princess Thaisa. When wicked King Antiochus dies, Pericles and Thaisa sail to Tyre. On the way, Thaisa dies giving birth to a baby girl, Marina. Thaisa's body is placed in a chest and cast into the sea. Pericles leaves daughter Marina in the care of the Governor of Tarsus and his wicked wife, Dionyza. When Marina outshines Dionyza's daughter, Dionyza plots to kill Marina. Dionyza believes her plot succeeds, but some pirates rescue Marina and sell her into slavery at Mitylene. Lysimachus, the governor of Mitylene, falls in love with Marina. Meanwhile, Pericles hears Marina is dead and falls into a depression and refuses to speak. When Pericles' ship comes to Mitylene, Marina sings to him and he realizes she is his daughter. Pericles also learns Thaisa is still alive and they are joyfully reunited. Rounding out the happy ending, Marina and Lysimachus marry. Despite its happy ending, 'Pericles' is one of Shakespeare's 'problem plays,' meaning it cannot easily be classified as either a comedy or a tragedy.
Hamlet, son of the King of Denmark, is outraged when his mother, Gertrude, remarries his uncle, Claudius, less than a month after his father's death. When a ghost reveals Claudius murdered his father, Hamlet vows revenge against his uncle. Hamlet pretends to be mad to hide his longing for revenge, treating even his lady love Ophelia horribly. He arranges a play, where the actors enact the murder of his father. Claudius staggers from the room after the play, confirming he is the King's true murderer. When Hamlet tries to stab Claudius, he accidentally kills Ophelia's father, Polonius. Realizing Hamlet knows the truth, Claudius sends Hamlet to England with two courtiers who carry letters instructing that Hamlet be put to death. Hamlet escapes onto a pirate ship and returns home. With Hamlet gone and believed mad, Ophelia is driven to her own madness and dies. Claudius convinces Laertes, Polonius's son, to avenge his father's death by slaying Hamlet. Laertes challenges Hamlet to a fencing match, but uses a sharp sword tipped in poison rather than a blunt foil. During the match, Hamlet inadvertently ends up with Laertes' sword and stabs Laertes, killing him. The Queen accidentally drinks from a bowl that Claudius poisoned for Hamlet, and she dies. Hamlet stabs Claudius with the poisoned sword and finally avenges his father's death. But Hamlet has also been wounded with the poisoned sword and dies as well.
Hamlet, son of the King of Denmark, is outraged when his mother, Gertrude, remarries his uncle, Claudius, less than a month after his father's death. When a ghost reveals Claudius murdered his father, Hamlet vows revenge against his uncle. Hamlet pretends to be mad to hide his longing for revenge, treating even his lady love Ophelia horribly. He arranges a play, where the actors enact the murder of his father. Claudius staggers from the room after the play, confirming he is the King's true murderer. When Hamlet tries to stab Claudius, he accidentally kills Ophelia's father, Polonius. Realizing Hamlet knows the truth, Claudius sends Hamlet to England with two courtiers who carry letters instructing that Hamlet be put to death. Hamlet escapes onto a pirate ship and returns home. With Hamlet gone and believed mad, Ophelia is driven to her own madness and dies. Claudius convinces Laertes, Polonius's son, to avenge his father's death by slaying Hamlet. Laertes challenges Hamlet to a fencing match, but uses a sharp sword tipped in poison rather than a blunt foil. During the match, Hamlet inadvertently ends up with Laertes' sword and stabs Laertes, killing him. The Queen accidentally drinks from a bowl that Claudius poisoned for Hamlet, and she dies. Hamlet stabs Claudius with the poisoned sword and finally avenges his father's death. But Hamlet has also been wounded with the poisoned sword and dies as well.
Hamlet, son of the King of Denmark, is outraged when his mother, Gertrude, remarries his uncle, Claudius, less than a month after his father's death. When a ghost reveals Claudius murdered his father, Hamlet vows revenge against his uncle. Hamlet pretends to be mad to hide his longing for revenge, treating even his lady love Ophelia horribly. He arranges a play, where the actors enact the murder of his father. Claudius staggers from the room after the play, confirming he is the King's true murderer. When Hamlet tries to stab Claudius, he accidentally kills Ophelia's father, Polonius. Realizing Hamlet knows the truth, Claudius sends Hamlet to England with two courtiers who carry letters instructing that Hamlet be put to death. Hamlet escapes onto a pirate ship and returns home. With Hamlet gone and believed mad, Ophelia is driven to her own madness and dies. Claudius convinces Laertes, Polonius's son, to avenge his father's death by slaying Hamlet. Laertes challenges Hamlet to a fencing match, but uses a sharp sword tipped in poison rather than a blunt foil. During the match, Hamlet inadvertently ends up with Laertes' sword and stabs Laertes, killing him. The Queen accidentally drinks from a bowl that Claudius poisoned for Hamlet, and she dies. Hamlet stabs Claudius with the poisoned sword and finally avenges his father's death. But Hamlet has also been wounded with the poisoned sword and dies as well.
An kind Athenian named Timon generously but foolishly squanders his money on unscrupulous hangers-on. When Timon finds himself destitute and learns almost no one will repay his kindness, he turns bitter and retreats to live in a cave. Only soldier Alcibiades and steward Flavius remain loyal to Timon. When Timon finds gold, the greedy hangers-on shamelessly return to ask for more. Alcibiades and his men bloodlessly conquer Athens, but by this time Timon has passed away and is buried by the sea. Originally categorized as a tragedy, 'Timon of Athens' is more recently considered by some as one of Shakespeare's 'problem plays,' meaning it cannot easily be classified as either a comedy or a tragedy.
An kind Athenian named Timon generously but foolishly squanders his money on unscrupulous hangers-on. When Timon finds himself destitute and learns almost no one will repay his kindness, he turns bitter and retreats to live in a cave. Only soldier Alcibiades and steward Flavius remain loyal to Timon. When Timon finds gold, the greedy hangers-on shamelessly return to ask for more. Alcibiades and his men bloodlessly conquer Athens, but by this time Timon has passed away and is buried by the sea. Originally categorized as a tragedy, 'Timon of Athens' is more recently considered by some as one of Shakespeare's 'problem plays,' meaning it cannot easily be classified as either a comedy or a tragedy.
An kind Athenian named Timon generously but foolishly squanders his money on unscrupulous hangers-on. When Timon finds himself destitute and learns almost no one will repay his kindness, he turns bitter and retreats to live in a cave. Only soldier Alcibiades and steward Flavius remain loyal to Timon. When Timon finds gold, the greedy hangers-on shamelessly return to ask for more. Alcibiades and his men bloodlessly conquer Athens, but by this time Timon has passed away and is buried by the sea. Originally categorized as a tragedy, 'Timon of Athens' is more recently considered by some as one of Shakespeare's 'problem plays,' meaning it cannot easily be classified as either a comedy or a tragedy.
When General Othello promotes the smooth-tongued Cassio over ensign Iago, Iago seeks retribution. Iago's machinations trick Othello into believing that Desdemona, Othello's wife, is in a romantic relationship with Cassio. Both Iago and Othello allow jealousy to control their emotions and actions, leading to the tragic deaths of Othello, Desdemona, and other characters.
When General Othello promotes the smooth-tongued Cassio over ensign Iago, Iago seeks retribution. Iago's machinations trick Othello into believing that Desdemona, Othello's wife, is in a romantic relationship with Cassio. Both Iago and Othello allow jealousy to control their emotions and actions, leading to the tragic deaths of Othello, Desdemona, and other characters.
When General Othello promotes the smooth-tongued Cassio over ensign Iago, Iago seeks retribution. Iago's machinations trick Othello into believing that Desdemona, Othello's wife, is in a romantic relationship with Cassio. Both Iago and Othello allow jealousy to control their emotions and actions, leading to the tragic deaths of Othello, Desdemona, and other characters.
In the Shakespearian comedy, 'Two Gentlemen of Verona,' boasting and envy fail to vanquish true love. Valentine brags of his intended bride, Silvia, to friend Proteus, convincing Proteus to cast aside his lady love, Julia, and pursue Silvia for himself. To get rid of Valentine so he can woo Silvia, Proteus tells Silvia's father, the Duke of Milan, of Valentine's plan to elope with Silvia. The Duke is furious. He's already promised Silvia to Sir Thurio and banishes Valentine from Milan. Despite all of the machinations, Julia and Silvia refuse to give up on the men they love. Julia dresses as a boy and serves as a page to Proteus. Silvia runs away to the forest, where Valentine has become the leader of a group of outlaws. In the end, Sir Thurio reveals himself to be a noodle, Valentine wins the Duke's approval to marry Silvia, and Proteus realizes he truly loves Julia.
In the Shakespearian comedy, 'Two Gentlemen of Verona,' boasting and envy fail to vanquish true love. Valentine brags of his intended bride, Silvia, to friend Proteus, convincing Proteus to cast aside his lady love, Julia, and pursue Silvia for himself. To get rid of Valentine so he can woo Silvia, Proteus tells Silvia's father, the Duke of Milan, of Valentine's plan to elope with Silvia. The Duke is furious. He's already promised Silvia to Sir Thurio and banishes Valentine from Milan. Despite all of the machinations, Julia and Silvia refuse to give up on the men they love. Julia dresses as a boy and serves as a page to Proteus. Silvia runs away to the forest, where Valentine has become the leader of a group of outlaws. In the end, Sir Thurio reveals himself to be a noodle, Valentine wins the Duke's approval to marry Silvia, and Proteus realizes he truly loves Julia.
In the Shakespearian comedy, 'Two Gentlemen of Verona,' boasting and envy fail to vanquish true love. Valentine brags of his intended bride, Silvia, to friend Proteus, convincing Proteus to cast aside his lady love, Julia, and pursue Silvia for himself. To get rid of Valentine so he can woo Silvia, Proteus tells Silvia's father, the Duke of Milan, of Valentine's plan to elope with Silvia. The Duke is furious. He's already promised Silvia to Sir Thurio and banishes Valentine from Milan. Despite all of the machinations, Julia and Silvia refuse to give up on the men they love. Julia dresses as a boy and serves as a page to Proteus. Silvia runs away to the forest, where Valentine has become the leader of a group of outlaws. In the end, Sir Thurio reveals himself to be a noodle, Valentine wins the Duke's approval to marry Silvia, and Proteus realizes he truly loves Julia.
In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Hermia's father asks the Duke of Athens to force Hermia to marry Demetrius or be put to death, even though Hermia loves Lysander. The Duke of Athens agrees with Hermia's father and gives Hermia four days to decide. Hermia and Lysander decide to flee through a magical fairy forest to be married in secret. Hermia confides in her jealous best friend, Helena, who loves Demetrius. Helena betrays Hermia by telling Demetrius of the escape plan, and they follow Hermia and Lysander into the forest. Fairy King Oberon pities Helena due to her unrequited love for Demetrius and sends fairy Puck to sprinkle love juice on Demetrius's eyes, which will cause him to love the first thing he sees. Unfortunately, Puck spells Lysander instead of Demetrius, and Lysander sees and falls in love with Helena. Oberon realizes Puck's mistake and puts the juice on Demetrius' eyes, causing him to love Helena. Both Demetrius and Lysander now love Helena, causing all four mortals to quarrel. Oberon also places love juice on the Fairy Queen Titania's eyes, as they have been fighting over an Indian boy. The enchanted Queen falls in love with a clown spelled with the head of donkey. Eventually, King Oberon reverses the spell over Queen Titania and Lysander, Titania and Oberon resolve their differences over the Indian boy, and the four mortals return to Athens to be married.
In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Hermia's father asks the Duke of Athens to force Hermia to marry Demetrius or be put to death, even though Hermia loves Lysander. The Duke of Athens gives Hermia four days to decide. Hermia and Lysander decide to flee through a magical fairy forest to be married in secret. Hermia confides in her jealous best friend, Helena, who loves Demetrius. Helena betrays Hermia by telling Demetrius of the escape plan, and they follow Hermia and Lysander into the forest. Fairy King Oberon pities Helena due to her unrequited love for Demetrius and sends fairy Puck to sprinkle love juice on Demetrius's eyes, which will cause him to love the first thing he sees. Unfortunately, Puck spells Lysander instead of Demetrius, and Lysander sees and falls in love with Helena. Oberon realizes Puck's mistake and puts the juice on Demetrius' eyes, causing him to love Helena. Both Demetrius and Lysander now love Helena, causing all four mortals to quarrel. Oberon also places love juice on the Fairy Queen Titania's eyes, as they have been fighting over an Indian boy. The enchanted Queen falls in love with a clown spelled with the head of donkey. Eventually, King Oberon reverses the spell over Queen Titania and Lysander, Titania and Oberon resolve their differences over the Indian boy, and the four mortals return to Athens to be married.
In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Hermia's father asks the Duke of Athens to force Hermia to marry Demetrius or be put to death, even though Hermia loves Lysander. The Duke of Athens gives Hermia four days to decide. Hermia and Lysander decide to flee through a magical fairy forest to be married in secret. Hermia confides in her jealous best friend, Helena, who loves Demetrius. Helena betrays Hermia by telling Demetrius of the escape plan, and they follow Hermia and Lysander into the forest. Fairy King Oberon pities Helena due to her unrequited love for Demetrius and sends fairy Puck to sprinkle love juice on Demetrius's eyes, which will cause him to love the first thing he sees. Unfortunately, Puck spells Lysander instead of Demetrius, and Lysander sees and falls in love with Helena. Oberon realizes Puck's mistake and puts the juice on Demetrius' eyes, causing him to love Helena. Both Demetrius and Lysander now love Helena, causing all four mortals to quarrel. Oberon also places love juice on the Fairy Queen Titania's eyes, as they have been fighting over an Indian boy. The enchanted Queen falls in love with a clown spelled with the head of donkey. Eventually, King Oberon reverses the spell over Queen Titania and Lysander, Titania and Oberon resolve their differences over the Indian boy, and the four mortals return to Athens to be married.
In Act I, Scene i of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Athenian citizen Egeus, father of the lovely Hermia, asks Theseus, the Duke of Athens, to invoke Athenian law. Egeus wants Hermia to marry Demetrius, even though Hermia has fallen in love with another man named Lysander. Duke Theseus gives Hermia until his upcoming wedding to Hippolyta to choose between marrying Demetrius, death, or becoming a nun. Hermia and Lysander decide to flee through a magical fairy forest to be married in secret. Hermia confides in her jealous best friend, Helena, who loves Demetrius. To please Demetrius and to finagle an opportunity to see him, Helena tells Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander's escape plan.
In Act I, Scene ii of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Peter Quince, master of celebrations for Duke Theseus, gathers a group of Athenian tradesmen, or Players. Duke Theseus tasks Quince to arrange amusements to celebrate Theseus' wedding to Hippolyta. Quince plans to enact a play, 'A Tragic Comedy of the Cruel Deaths of Pyramus and Thisbe.' Quince casts the tradesmen into roles within the play, including Nick Bottom (the weaver) as the tragic hero Pyramus, Francis Flute (the carpenter) as the lady Thisbe, and Snug (the joiner) as a Lion.
Act II, Scene i of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' introduces the magical fairies who inhabit the forest outside Athens. We meet, Puck, a trickster fairy who delights in playing pranks on mortals. Fairy King Oberon and Fairy Queen Titania have been quarreling over a handsome little boy Titania brought back from India. King Oberon and Queen Titania's constant bickering has caused misery in mortal world, including fogs, floods, disease, and unseasonable weather. When Titania again refuses to give the boy up, Oberon schemes to get revenge, tasking Puck to fetch a magical flower. The flower's juice, when sprinkled on someone's sleeping eyes, causes the person to fall in love with the first living thing they see. While waiting for Puck to return, Oberon watches as Demetrius repeatedly rejects the adoring Helena and feels sorry for Helena. When Puck returns, Oberon orders him to sprinkle the love juice on Demetrius' eyes. Oberon plans to enchant Titania himself.
In Act III, Scene i of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' the Players meet in the forest to practice their play. As they rehearse, Puck sneaks in to watch. While Nick Bottom waits out of sight for his next cue, Puck enchants him, giving him a donkey head. When Bottom returns to say his next line, the other Players flee the monstrous donkey-man. Loving the chaos, Puck happily chases after them. Left all alone, Bottom stumbles across Titania, and she awakens. Under the spell of the flower juice, Titania falls in love with Bottom. Titania tasks her fairies to serve Bottom and leads him to her home in the woods.
In Act III, Scene ii of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Oberon is delighted to learn that Titania's fallen in love with donkey-headed Bottom. Puck reports that he successfully spelled an Athenian's eyes, but they soon realize he's spelled the wrong Athenian when they see Demetrius pursuing Hermia through the woods. To fix the mistake, when Demetrius falls asleep, Puck goes off in search of Helena while Oberon sprinkles flower juice on Demetrius' eyes. Lysander, spelled to love Helena, is now trying to convince Helena he loves her. Demetrius wakes, spots Helena, and now both men are enchanted to vie for Helena's love. Helena and Hermia are bewildered by the men's actions. Hermia is distraught that Demetrius no longer loves her, and Helena believes everyone is conspiring against her. When Demetrius and Lysander decide to fight over Helena, Oberon orders Puck to cover the woods in fog and to keep the men separated until they fall asleep. The four Athenians fall asleep, and Puck squeezes a cure into Lysander's eyes.
In Act IV, Scene i of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Titania and her fairies dote on Nick Bottom, scratching his head and stealing him honey from the honeybees. We learn that offstage, Titania has given Oberon the little Indian boy. Oberon takes pity on Titania when he sees her sleeping entwined with Bottom and applies the antidote to her eyes. He also orders Puck to remove the donkey head from Bottom. When Titania awakens, she's horrified to learn her love for Bottom was not a dream. Titania and Oberon reconcile. Out on a morning hunt, Theseus, Egeus, and Hippolyta stumble across the four young Athenians as they sleep. When the four awaken, Lysander is once again in love with Hermia, and Demetrius is still spelled to love Helena. Theseus orders that the two couples will marry. Bottom awakens and finds himself alone and back to normal.
In Act IV, Scene ii of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' the Players fret over canceling the play when they can't find Nick Bottom. When Bottom appears, they rejoice and prepare to enact their play.
In Act V, Scene i of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Theseus and Hippolyta and the two pairs of young lovers have been wedded and settle in for some celebratory entertainment. Theseus, Hippolyta, Lysander, and Demetrius enjoy poking fun at the silly performance of 'Pyramus and Thisbe.' After the play ends and the mortals sleep, the fairies return to bless the house of Theseus. Puck tells the audience if they didn't enjoy the play, they should pretend it was only a dream and that the fairies will make amends.
About
Curriculum
Navigation