Act II, Scene I Summary

The scene begins with Oberon, King of the Fairies, and his queen Titania in a quarrel. Titania has acquired a young Indian servant boy from an Indian King, which quickly made Oberon jealous. The two fairies argue endlessly until Titania leaves the scene. Once she is gone, Oberon reveals his plan to his faithful sprite Puck (also called Robin). His plot is to use a magic flower which, when rubbed into the eyes of a person, causes them to love the first creature they see. He tells Puck to find him some of the flower so he can use it on Titania to make her love some hideous beast, and while she is distracted he will take the boy. Afterwards he will use the flower again to return her love to him. Puck goes off to find this flower, and while Oberon is alone Demetrius runs by him with Helena pathetically following him. Helena bugs him about her love for him while he attempts to run away and scorns her. After they poass Puck comes back with the flower, and Oberon gives him some instructions: first of all, use the flower on Titania as planned, and second, give some to Demetrius (who he describes as "the man dressed like an Athenian") so he will love Helena. This is because Oberon sympathizes with Helena.