Summary of Act 1, Scene 1

Theseus is getting married to Hippolyta and the scene starts with them talking about the wedding. Egeus enters the room and starts to complain about his daughter Hermia. He wants her to marry Demetrius, but Hermia loves Lysander. Both men love Hermia but Egeus likes Demetrius better. Hermia refuses to marry Demetrius. Theseus scolds and warms Hermia that if she does not marry Demetruis she will either be killed or remain a nun for her entire life. Lysander accuses Demetrius of being engaged to Helena, Hermia's best friend, but calling it off upon meeting Hermia. Theseus tells Hermia to think long and hard about her choice and leaves the room with Hippolyta, Demetrius, and Egeus. Lysander and Hermia are left together. Lysander tells Hermia that he has a plan. He has an aunt who is rich and loves him as a son, they could get married there. Athenian law would not be in affect there. Hermia is really excited and she agrees to the plan. Helena comes in soon after and is told the plan. However she is madly in love with Demetrius and is jealous of the fact that Hermia hates Demetrius yet he loves her so. She devises a plan of her own. She will tell Demetruis of Lysander and Hermia's plan to elope. In doing so, she will gain his trust and possibly his love.