Lysander. She is begging for him to at least be followed by her, if not love her. Oberon feels sorry for her so when Puck returns he instructs him to anoint “an Athenian’s” eyes, so he will fall for this Hermia. However, he does not know the names of the characters at this time so this is the most specific description he can give Puck. So, when Puck goes out looking for the “Athenian man” and finds Lysander asleep, he assumes this is the man of whom Oberon spoke. (Oberon meant Demetrius.) Helena stumbles upon Lysander, who had been hiding with Hermia (also asleep) in the wood, and wakes him. He immediately falls in love with Helena. She becomes confused and angry, saying he is playing a trick on her. Helena runs off only to be chased by Lysander. Hermia wakes up alone. Meanwhile, Oberon anoints Titania’s eyes with the flower juice, and she remains sleeping in the wood. Act III -Scene i. The clowns are in the wood to rehearse their play. Before they begin, the men discuss adding a prologue to the play to excuse the lion and deaths in the play, for they are not meant to offend. When they finally begin to rehearse, Puck enters and, being the prankster he is (also probably because he knows what is to happen is he does this), puts a spell on (?) Bottom, giving him the head of an ass. The sight of him scares the other clowns away, so Bottom is left alone in the wood. He sings to show he is not afraid, nor a fool will he be made, and his noise wakes Titania. She immediately falls in love with him. She forbids him to leave her (Titania. Out of this wood do not desire to go. [III.i.153] ) Bottom stays with Titania. -Scene ii. Oberon and Puck realize the mistake Puck has made. He is pleased, however, to find out about Titania loving a mortal with an ass’s head. Demetrius and Hermia enter. Hermia is looking for Lysander, she becomes angry with Demetrius, so leaves him to continue her search. Demetrius lie...
