A Midsummer Night's Dream Characters
Theseus, the Duke of Athens, has recently won a war against the Amazons, and to reward himself for his victory is going to marry their queen Hippolyta, whether she likes it or not.
Demetrius is not the most admirable of young men. Having wooed Helena and won her heart, he shifts his attentions to Hermia, who will have none of him, but whose father favors him.
Philostrate is Theseus's Master of the Revels. The Duke sends him to encourage everybody in Athens to celebrate his wedding and have a festive time during the four days leading up to the ceremony.
Peter Quince is a carpenter with literary pretensions who organizes some fellow workers into preparing a play he has written to present to Theseus and Hippolyta on their wedding day (in which he presents the Prologue).
Bottom the weaver is a take-charge sort of fellow, and a great stage ham who wishes to play all the parts he can in Quince’s play.
Flute is a bellows-mender, a young man whose facial hair is only just beginning to grow. His voice may be unbroken.
Snug the joiner is not the most quick-witted of fellows, and is therefore cast as the lion to avoid his having to learn lines.
Hippolyta is Queen of the Amazons. Having been defeated in battle by Theseus, she is now betrothed to him.
Hermia is Egeus’s daughter. In love with Lysander, she refuses to marry Demetrius despite the threat of death for her refusal.
Helena is a young lady of Athens. She was wooed by Demetrius and remains obsessively, even masochistically in love with him.
Oberon is King of Fairies. Proud, angry, and vengeful, he quarrels with Titania for the sake of a changeling boy, and on being refused decides to humiliate her into obedience.
Titania is Queen of Fairies. Her quarrel with Oberon disturbs nature, but in memory of her votaress she still refuses to give up the boy who is at the quarrel’s root.
Puck, or Robin Goodfellow, is an amoral prankster of a spirit. Oberon’s jester, he delights in practical jokes, transforming Bottom for a lark and making him the object of Titania’s love.
Peaseblossom is a fairy of Titania’s court. Commanded by Titania, it is one of the ones to attend on Bottom.
Cobweb is a fairy of Titania’s court. Commanded by Titania, it is one of the ones to attend on Bottom.
Moth is a fairy of Titania’s court. Commanded by Titania, it is one of the ones to attend on Bottom.
Mustardseed is a fairy of Titania’s court. Commanded by Titania, it is one of the ones to attend on Bottom.
A Fairy is one of Titania’s servants, charged with spreading the dew. She recognizes Puck, and is not fond of Oberon.
