MSND Summary: ACT ONE Scene 1

In the first scene of Midsummer's Night Dream, we are introduced to Theseus, the Duke of Athens and his fiance, Hippolyta. While they are planning their wedding, an angered Egeus walks in complaining about his daughter, Hermia. Two men of Athens, Lysander and Demetrius love Hermia but Egeus only wants Demetrius to have his daughter's hand in marriage. Egeus also complains about the fact if his daughter doesn't respect his wishes and marries Demetrius, then she should suffer the consequences from the law of Athens. Lysander then fights back and states that Demetrius has already won Egeus' s love already, and he deserves Hermia as his own wife. Lysander also argues that Demetrius has been emotionally connected with Helelna, until he met Hermia and has left her alone since that day. After hearing all of this commotion, Theseus takes Egeus and Demetrius aside to discuss things more.

At the end of the scene, Hermia and Lysander are left alone. The two love birds then devise a plan to run away far from Athens. They'll alope and start a new life together without Demetrius. Then in walks Helena whose still madly in love with Demetrius, and is told about Lysander and Hermia's plan to run away. She envies them greatly and decides to tell Demetrius to get him to fall back in love with her.