Who Lysander is
Lysander is a young man who loves Hermia, but her father, Egeus, wants her to marry Demetrius. Under Athenian law, Hermia must obey her father or face death or life as a nun.
Lysander and Hermia comfort each other with the thought that true lovers have always faced trouble. Their love brings them into conflict with the authority that governs life in Athens.
What Lysander wants
Lysander wants to stay with Hermia, so they arrange to meet at night in the wood outside Athens. They plan to reach his aunt's house, where Athenian law cannot reach them.
How Lysander changes
In the wood, Puck mistakes the sleeping Lysander for Demetrius and puts the magic flower's juice on his eyes. When Helena wakes him, he sees her first and suddenly falls in love with her.
He abandons his devotion to Hermia and declares that he will follow Helena anywhere. Helena thinks he is mocking her, while Hermia cannot understand why his feelings have changed.
A best-known line
“The course of true love never did run smooth.”
Questions
Who does Lysander love?
Lysander loves Hermia before the flower's magic makes him turn toward Helena.
Why does Lysander plan to leave Athens?
He plans to leave so he and Hermia can stay together beyond the reach of Athenian law.
Why does Puck enchant Lysander?
Puck mistakes him for Demetrius because he is wearing Athenian clothes. Oberon's instruction does not clearly distinguish between the two young men.