Reading of Act Two Reading and explanation of Act Two, scene One Act Two, scene Two - SS2 Literature Lesson Note

Reading of Act Two

Act Two, Scene One

Act Two, Scene One of A Midsummer Night's Dream takes place in the forest. Oberon, the King of the Fairies, and Titania, the Queen of the Fairies, are having a quarrel. Oberon is angry that Titania has refused to give him a young Indian boy whom she has taken as her attendant.

Oberon decides to use his magic to punish Titania and to make her fall in love with the first creature she sees when she wakes up. He orders Puck, a mischievous fairy, to fetch him a magic flower called love-in-idleness. The juice of this flower can make any person fall in love with the first creature they see.

Act Two, Scene Two

Act Two, Scene Two takes place in the same forest. Puck arrives and tells Oberon that he has found the love-in-idleness flower. Oberon squeezes the juice of the flower into Titania's eyes while she is sleeping.

Meanwhile, Demetrius and Helena enter the forest. Demetrius is still in love with Hermia, and he is chasing Helena away. Helena declares her love for Demetrius, but he rejects her.

Oberon watches Demetrius and Helena's argument. He feels sorry for Helena, so he orders Puck to put some of the love-in-idleness juice on Demetrius's eyes.

Explanation of Act Two, Scene One

Act Two, Scene One is an important scene because it introduces the magic element into the play. It also shows how Oberon's use of magic can have unintended consequences.

Analysis of Act Two, Scene One

The scene begins with Oberon and Titania quarreling. Their quarrel is a reminder that even the fairies are not immune to conflict.

Oberon's decision to use magic to punish Titania is a risky one. He knows that the love-in-idleness flower can have powerful effects, but he is willing to risk those effects in order to get what he wants.

Analysis of Act Two, Scene Two

Act Two, Scene Two shows how Oberon's use of magic can have unintended consequences. He orders Puck to put the love-in-idleness juice on Demetrius's eyes in order to help Helena, but he does not realize that this will cause Demetrius to fall in love with the next creature he sees.

The scene also shows how love can make people blind to reason. Demetrius is so in love with Hermia that he is unable to see how much Helena loves him.

Conclusion

Act Two of A Midsummer Night's Dream introduces the magic element into the play and shows how Oberon's use of magic can have unintended consequences. The play also explores the themes of love, conflict, and the nature of reality.