Shakespeare's intertwined love polygons begin to get complicated from the start--Demetrius and Lysander both want Hermia but she only has eyes for Lysander. Bad news is, Hermia's father wants Demetrius for a son-in-law. On the outside is Helena, whose unreturned love burns hot for Demetrius. Hermia and Lysander plan to flee from the city under cover of darkness but are pursued by an enraged Demetrius (who is himself pursued by an enraptured Helena). In the forest, unbeknownst to the mortals, Oberon and Titania (King and Queen of the faeries) are having a spat over a servant boy. The plot twists up when Oberon's head mischief-maker, Puck, runs loose with a flower which causes people to fall in love with the first thing they see upon waking. Throw in a group of labourers preparing a play for the Duke's wedding (one of whom is given a donkey's head and Titania for a lover by Puck) and the complications become fantastically funny About The Author: William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in 1564. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. Were pretty sure he would think this version of his play is awesome. Table Of Contents: Introduction, with new section on recent stage and critical interpretations; Note on the text; List of characters; The play; Textual analysis; Appendix: A further note on sources; Reading list. Read an Excerpt Chapter 1 list of parts THESEUS, Duke of Athens HIPPOLYTA, Queen of the Amazons, betrothed to Theseus EGEUS, an Athenian courtier, father to Hermia LYSANDER, in love with Hermia HERMIA, in love with Lysander, but ordered by her father to marry Demetrius DEMETRIUS, in love with Hermia, though once a suitor to Helena HELENA, in love with Demetrius Peter QUINCE, a carpenter and leader of an amateur dramatic group, who speaks the PROLOGUE to their play Nick BOTTOM, a weaver, who plays PYRAMUS in the amateur play Francis FLUTE, a bellows-mender, who plays THISBE in the amateur play SNU