Reading and Explanation of Act Four of A Midsummer Night's Dream - SS2 Literature Lesson Note

Reading and Explanation of Act Four of A Midsummer Night's Dream

Act Four, Scene One

Act Four, Scene One takes place in the forest at dawn. Lysander, Hermia, Demetrius, and Helena are all asleep. Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, and their attendants enter the forest. They are searching for the Athenian tradesmen, who are supposed to perform a play for the wedding.

Oberon and Titania arrive and wake up the four lovers. Oberon removes the love-in-idleness juice from their eyes, and they all forget what happened to them the night before.

Theseus and Hippolyta are confused by the lovers' behavior, but they are happy to see that they are all reunited. Theseus decides to have a triple wedding that same day.

Act Four, Scene Two

Act Four, Scene Two takes place in Athens. The Athenian tradesmen arrive at the palace to perform their play for Theseus and Hippolyta's wedding.

The play is a comedic tragedy about two lovers, Pyramus and Thisbe. The tradesmen perform the play poorly, but Theseus and Hippolyta are entertained nonetheless.

The play ends with Theseus and Hippolyta's wedding. All the characters are happy, and the play ends with a celebration of love.

Reading and Discussion of Act Four Scene One

Act Four, Scene One is a resolution scene that brings the play to a close. The four lovers are reunited, and Oberon removes the love-in-idleness juice from their eyes. This allows them to forget what happened to them the night before and to start fresh.

The scene also explores the theme of forgiveness. Theseus and Hippolyta are forgiving of the lovers' strange behavior, and they are happy to see that they are all reunited. This suggests that forgiveness is essential for maintaining healthy relationships.

Act Four, Scene Two

Act Four, Scene Two is a comedic scene that provides comic relief after the dramatic events of Act Three. The tradesmen's performance of Pyramus and Thisbe is a disaster, but Theseus and Hippolyta are entertained nonetheless. This suggests that laughter is important, even in difficult times.

The scene also explores the theme of the power of storytelling. Even though the tradesmen's play is poorly performed, it is still able to entertain Theseus and Hippolyta. This suggests that storytelling can be a powerful force for good, even when it is done poorly.

Conclusion

Act Four of A Midsummer Night's Dream is a resolution act that brings the play to a close. The four lovers are reunited, and Oberon removes the love-in-idleness juice from their eyes. The play also explores the themes of forgiveness and the power of storytelling.