A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 3, Scene 2 summary
Act 3, Scene 2 of 9 · 17 min to read the scene
In Act 3, Scene 2, Oberon discovers Puck's mistake and enchants Demetrius, leaving both men pursuing Helena while Hermia faces rejection and the women accuse each other. When the rivals seek a fight, Puck separates them by copying their voices, and he applies a cure to Lysander after all four lovers lie down.
What happens
- Puck reports Titania's love for the transformed actor, but Hermia's arrival with Demetrius reveals that he enchants the wrong man.
- Hermia leaves to seek Lysander, and Oberon enchants the sleeping Demetrius while Puck brings Helena nearby.
- Both men declare love for Helena, who believes they join Hermia in mocking her.
- Lysander rejects Hermia, the women quarrel, and the men leave to fight over Helena.
- Oberon orders Puck to separate the rivals and cure Lysander while he seeks the Indian boy from Titania.
- Puck imitates the men's voices until they tire; all four lovers lie down, and he puts the cure on Lysander's eye.
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In this scene
What to notice
Puck treats the lovers' confusion as entertainment. His amusement contrasts with their distress and helps explain his pleasure in the mistaken enchantment.
Quick check
How does Puck keep Lysander and Demetrius from fighting?
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