A Midsummer Night's Dream

Elsewhere in the forest, Puck meets with Oberon. Puck admits that the plan with Titania has proceeded in an unexpected fashion and that she is now in love with Bottom. Oberon is amused and believes that his plan is unfolding just as he intended.

Hermia appears. After she lost Lysander, she came across Demetrius in the forest. Her arrival surprises Puck, who expected her to be with Lysander, upon whom he placed the magic spell. Oberon is equally shocked, as he expected Puck to cast his spell on a different couple. Oberon realizes the mistake and declares that he and Puck will solve the problem. Meanwhile, Hermia quizzes Demetrius about the location of Lysander. She is worried that Lysander may be dead, but Demetrius knows nothing. Hermia’s constant questions about Lysander make Demetrius bitter; he is angry that she would rather be with Lysander than with him. As Hermia grows increasingly frustrated, Demetrius decides that he will achieve nothing by following her. She leaves, and he lies down on the ground to sleep.

Oberon dispatches Puck to locate Helena and places the magical flower juice on Demetrius’s eyes. Puck returns quickly and announces that Helena is about to arrive. Helena enters with Lysander trailing behind her. Lysander is still declaring his love for Helena, and she still believes that he is mocking her. Their argument rouses Demetrius from his sleep. When he opens his eyes, he sees Helena and instantly falls in love. Demetrius and Lysander surround Helena, both insisting that they love her. They argue with one another about who loves her the most. Helena now believes that both men are mocking her.

Hermia returns to the clearing. She is surprised and horrified to learn that Lysander is now in love with Helena. Helena is equally shocked and accuses Hermia of being involved in an elaborate joke at her expense. She criticizes her friend for taking their friendship lightly. Lysander and Demetrius want to fight one another to demonstrate their love for Helena. As they struggle, Hermia tries to restrain Lysander. He insults her, taking Hermia aback. She speculates that Helena has somehow used her height to steal Lysander away. Hermia turns her anger toward Helena and threatens to hurt her. Helena is scared, but both Demetrius and Lysander offer her their protection. Before they can agree on how to protect her, they become angry with one another. They challenge each other to a duel and leave to prepare. Helena flees while Hermia, still shocked by what has happened, also exits.

After witnessing the strange scene, Oberon orders Puck to stop the duel between Demetrius and Lysander. He insists that they resolve the confusion they have created by the morning. Puck flies after the lovesick humans, flinging insults at them and mimicking their voices. His mockery confuses Lysander and Demetrius, who become incredibly lost and unable to duel. 

Some time later, the four young lovers wander aimlessly back into the forest clearing. They lie down on the ground and fall asleep. Puck returns, this time placing the love potion on Lysander’s eyes. He hopes that by the morning everything will return to normal.