Act I, Scene I Summary

At first, Theseus and Hippolyta are talking about their upcoming wedding. Unfortunately they do not have long to talk about their plans because Egeus, Hermia, Demetrius and Lysander burst into the scene. Egeus is coming to Theseus in search of advice and help with his daughter. He explains that his daughter, Hermia, has been meeting with Lysander, who she says is her true love, which is against his rules because she is supposed to marry Demetrius. Hermia argues that Lysander is just as good of a man as Demetrius, and Lysander backs up this claim himself. In the end of this, Theseus and Egeus draw up three conclusions: Hermia marries Demetrius, Egeus executes Hermia, or Hermia becomes a nun. Then all but Lysander and Hermia exit the scene. They discuss in secret their plans to get secretly married at Hermia's rural manor house. Helena walks into them and tells of her desire to be as beautiful as Hermia so she can catch the eye of Demetrius. Hermia and Lysander soon give out their plan to Helena, but this soon turns out to be a bad idea after they leave because Helena plans on telling their secret to Demetrius.