Puck overhears and decides to have some fun by turning Bottom’s head into that of an ass. The craftsmen, gathered in the woods for rehearsal, consider some revisions to their script.

The Fairies sing their Queen to sleep, and Oberon drops the magic juice upon her eyes. He follows, leaving Hermia to awaken alone from a terrible dream. He proclaims his love and she, believing he mocks her, runs off in a rage. Helena rouses Lysander, who is instantly smitten. Demetrius arrives with Helena at his heels he abandons her near the sleeping pair. Puck, finding Lysander and Hermia asleep, mistakes Lysander for Demetrius and sprinkles the juice over his eyes. After some discussion, Peter Quince, the leader, casts Nick Bottom as the lover Pyramus and Francis Flute as his lady Thisbe. Six craftsmen meet to rehearse a play which they hope to perform for the wedding of Duke Theseus of Athens to Queen Hippolyta of the Amazons. Oberon enters and overhears, and bids Puck drop the magic flower-juice on Demetrius’ eyes to make him reciprocate Helena’s affection, restoring the symmetry of the pair of pairs, while he himself will take the rest for Tytania. Soon after comes Demetrius fleeing Helena’s pursuit. Hermia and Lysander flee to the woods from her father’s order that she marry Demetrius. Thus he’ll be revenged, holding her affections captive until she deliver up the pageboy. Oberon sends Puck to fetch the juice of a rare flower, which, when dropped upon Tytania’s eyes, will make her fall in love with the first creature she sees. Tytania refuses to share the King’s bed until he should return the child. The nimble Puck announces their King Oberon and Queen Tytania, who have strained the bonds of Nature herself with a custody battle over a little changeling pageboy whose mother served the Queen. At twilight, Fairies prepare to deck the Athenian woods with dew.

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