Reading and explanation of Act three "Midsummer Night's Dream - SS2 Literature Lesson Note

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

Act Three, Scene One

Act Three, Scene One takes place in the forest at night. The Athenian tradesmen are meeting to rehearse their play for Theseus and Hippolyta's wedding.

Puck arrives and watches the tradesmen rehearsing. He is amused by their incompetence, and he decides to have some fun with them. He transforms Bottom's head into the head of an ass.

The other tradesmen are terrified of Bottom's new appearance, and they flee. Bottom is left alone in the forest, but he does not realize that he has changed. He thinks that the other tradesmen are playing a prank on him.

Act Three, Scene Two

Act Three, Scene Two takes place in the forest at night. Titania is sleeping under a tree. Oberon arrives and sees her. He is amazed by her beauty, and he falls in love with her.

Titania wakes up and sees Bottom. She is immediately smitten with him, thanks to the love-in-idleness juice that Oberon put in her eyes. She takes Bottom to her bower, where she tends to him and cares for him.

Act Three, Scene Three

Act Three, Scene Three takes place in the forest at night. Lysander and Hermia are lost in the forest. They are tired and hungry, and they decide to rest.

Lysander falls asleep, but Hermia remains awake. She is worried about Demetrius, and she wonders if he is still following them.

Demetrius enters the forest, searching for Hermia and Lysander. He is still under the influence of the love-in-idleness juice, and he is immediately smitten with Hermia.

Demetrius declares his love for Hermia, but she rejects him. She tells him that she loves Lysander. Demetrius becomes angry and threatens to kill Lysander.

Helena enters the forest, searching for Demetrius. She sees Demetrius and Hermia arguing, and she intervenes. She tells Demetrius that she loves him, but he rejects her. He tells her that he is in love with Hermia.

Helena is heartbroken, and she runs away into the forest. Demetrius chases after her.

Reading and Discussion of Act Three Scene One

Act Three, Scene One is a comedic scene that shows how Puck's use of magic can have unintended consequences. Bottom's transformation into an ass is a source of amusement for the audience, but it also creates complications for the plot.

The scene also explores the theme of appearance vs. reality. The other tradesmen are terrified of Bottom's new appearance, even though he is still the same person on the inside. This suggests that people are often quick to judge others based on their appearance, rather than getting to know them for who they are.

Act Three, Scene Two

Act Three, Scene Two is a romantic scene that shows how the love-in-idleness juice can have powerful effects. Titania's infatuation with Bottom is both amusing and pathetic. The scene also highlights the absurdity of love. Titania is supposed to be the Queen of the Fairies, but she is now in love with a man with the head of an ass.

Act Three, Scene Three

Act Three, Scene Three is a dramatic scene that shows how the love-in-idleness juice can lead to conflict. Demetrius's sudden infatuation with Hermia causes him to threaten to kill Lysander. Helena's heartbreak is also evident in this scene. She is rejected by both Lysander and Demetrius, the two men she loves.

Conclusion

Act Three of A Midsummer Night's Dream is a busy act that advances the plot and explores the themes of love, appearance vs. reality, and the absurdity of love. The act also provides comic relief through the character of Bottom.