Midsummer Night's Dream

Summary Act 4

OBERON behind unseen

Titania, Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, Mustardseed and other faires are attending Bottom, as he asks for things a donkey or horse would eat. Titania dotes on him until he decides to sleep. Oberon, hidden with Puck releases Titania from the potion with his words after the Indian boy has been taken by Oberon's underlings.

Oberon tells Titania nothing, except they should attend the wedding of Theseus, and Titania agrees happily. Titania is so relieved to no longer be doting on the man with a donkey's head, she goes with Oberon around the world to where it is still night and asks what had happened that night. Puck returns Bottom to a normal human. Puck, Oberon, Titania and the other fairies exit as the morning is coming.

Along comes Theseus, Hippolyta and Egeus into the wood as morning begins to break. Theseus tells Hippolyta about how wonderful his hounds are, and the groups sees Hermia, Helen, Lysander and Demetrius sleeping.

When Theseus wakes the sleeping group, he asks how they all come to be sleeping around one another. They stand, and Lysander addresses Theseus explaining his intention of leaving Athens to marry Hermia. Demetrius says he no longer loves Hermia, but loves Helen. So Theseus invites the others to follow him to the temple to also be married. Theseus, Hippolyta and Egeus leave.

Hermia, Helena, Lysander and Demetrius wonder if they are still dreaming, then realize that they have been asked to the temple to be married alongside Hippolyta and Theseus. The four exit.

Bottom wakes up believes the entire night a dream, as he no longer has the head of a donkey, and decides he should have Quince write a play about it.

Quince, Snout, Flute and Starveling are wondering where Bottom is, fearing they will be hung for not being able to perform their play. They find out that Theseus has returned, with the other lovers and the group laments their fate. Bottom enters the room telling them all to get ready. They grab their belongings and leave.