A Midsummer Night's Dream - Act 4 Scene 1: Oberon and Titania Reconciliation

TLDRIn Act 4 Scene 1 of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Oberon feels remorse for enchanting Titania and decides to release her from the love spell. Titania wakes up, telling Oberon about her dream in which she fell in love with an ass. Oberon points out that it was Bottom whom Titania was infatuated with. He instructs Puck to return Bottom to normal, and the two fairies dance together. Theseus and his group observe the Mayday rights in the woods and stumble upon the four young lovers. Hermia and Lysander explain their escape from Athenian law, while Demetrius declares his newfound love for Helena. Theseus decides that both couples, along with himself and Hippolyta, will be married. The confused lovers believe it was all a dream. Bottom wakes up and plans to have Quince write a ballad about his strange experience.

Key insights

🌟Oberon chooses to release Titania from the love spell, showing remorse for enchanting her.

😍Titania wakes up and shares her dream of being enamored with an ass, not realizing it was Bottom.

💕Oberon directs Titania's attention to Bottom, and she is disgusted by her infatuation with him.

💑Oberon instructs Puck to return Bottom to normal, and Oberon and Titania dance together.

🌺Theseus and his group discover the four young lovers in the woods and their complicated love triangle.

Q&A

Why does Oberon decide to release Titania from the love spell?

Oberon feels remorse for enchanting Titania and decides to release her from the love spell as he has obtained the changeling boy he desired.

What does Titania dream about?

Titania dreams about being enamored with an ass, not realizing it was Bottom.

What happens when Titania wakes up?

When Titania wakes up, Oberon directs her attention to Bottom, the object of her infatuation, and she is disgusted by her previous feelings.

What does Oberon instruct Puck to do?

Oberon instructs Puck to remove Bottom's ass form and return him to normal.

What do Theseus and his group discover in the woods?

Theseus and his group stumble upon the four young lovers and their complicated love triangle.

Timestamped Summary

00:09In Act 4 Scene 1 of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Oberon feels remorse for enchanting Titania and decides to release her from the love spell.

00:18Titania wakes up and shares her dream of being enamored with an ass, not realizing it was Bottom.

00:21Oberon directs Titania's attention to Bottom, and she is disgusted by her infatuation with him.

00:24Oberon instructs Puck to return Bottom to normal, and Oberon and Titania dance together.

00:52Theseus and his group discover the four young lovers in the woods and their complicated love triangle.

01:23Theseus decides that both couples, along with himself and Hippolyta, will be married.

01:32The confused lovers believe it was all a dream.

01:46Bottom wakes up and plans to have Quince write a ballad about his strange experience.