A Midsummer Night’s Dream Act 3 – “Lord, what fools these mortals be!”

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Act 3 – “Lord, what fools these mortals be!”

The forest seems like a very important motif for Shakespeare over a number of plays. It acts as an escape from court life and the rules of society. It seems to act as place where humans can be removed from the edifice of social and family responsibilities and embrace their instincts. It is also a dreamlike place, where in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ where Athenian friends and lovers, fairies, and craftsmen rehearsing a play can have their worlds turned upside down for better or for worse.

The Mechanicals enter at the appointed time at the appointed place to attempt to rehearse their play. Bottom takes dramaturgical control and suggests that they insert a Prologue and other audiences addresses to explain that in their production, the lion is not really a lion, the sword really a sword, that the play takes place at night even though it is performed at in the daytime, that the man standing straight on stage is symbolizing a wall and that another man standing with a bush branch and a lantern is in fact symbolizing the moon.

Puck enters and causes mischief and mayhem. Bottom’s head is into that of an ass (a donkey) by Puck. The other Mechanicals run away when they see Bottom with the head of an ass. Bottom thinking he is alone sings and it is this singing that wakes Titania.

With the love potion on her eyelids, Titania wakes and instantly falls in love with Bottom even though he has the head of an ass. Such is the deluded self-assuredness of Bottom, that he instantly accepts Titania’s embraces and admiration and the service of her Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Mote, and Mustardseed who will wait on him hand and foot. Bottom does not realize that he has the head of an ass and when Titania entices him to follow her to her forest bower, Bottom leaves with them.

Oberon is pleased when he hears of what has happened to Bottom but when Hermia enters with Demetrius, Oberon realizes that Puck has mistakenly anointed the wrong Athenian male. Hermia’s constant questions about where Lysander is, annoys Demetrius. When Hermia leaves, Demetrius acknowledges that nothing is to be gained in following Hermia so he lies down and falls asleep. 

Oberon charges Puck with setting this right and when Puck almost instantly returns with Helena just behind, it seems as if these meddlings might be untangled. Helena still believes that Lysander is mocking her with his declarations of love. Demetrius is awoken by their arguments and both Demetrius and Lysander declare their love for Helena. Helena thinks her mockery has reached epic proportions when Hermia re-enters. Now Hermia is upset that both the men who vied for her affection now reject her for Helena. Hermia and Helena now exchange insults and Hermia threatens to scratch out Helena’s eyes and Helena then gets her male admirers to protect her. Demetrius and Lysander then storm off to duel with one another over Helena’s love. Helena runs away and a bewildered Hermia exits too.

Now fairy intervention seems to be all that can save humans from themselves. The imbalance of love will be made right again with the potion that put it out of balance. Oberon demands that Puck solves all these human affairs by morning (conveniently forgetting that it was his initial intervention that started this whole business). Puck through the magic of throwing his voice and imitating both Lysander and Demetrius brings them back to the grove to sleep. Helena miraculously re-appears in the same place as does the weary and woeful Hermia. Puck applies the potion and spell like words hoping that:

“The man shall have his mare again and all shall be well.”