s him.
             In another part of Athens a group of common men, led by Peter Quince, are preparing a play to be given at the wedding feast of Theseus and Hippolyta. The "star" of the group, Nick Bottom, struts and boasts of his ability to play any and all the parts and is finally cast as the hero. All the parts are assigned and the rehearsal is set to take place the next night in the wood outside of Athens- the same wood where Hermia and Lysander are to meet.
             The night in question is Midsummer's Eve, a time of great rejoicing and mischief among the fairies who live in the wood. Oberon, their king, and Titania, their Queen, have quarreled over possession of a little boy, the child of one of Titania's priestesses. To resolve the quarrel, humble his proud Queen, and gain the boy for his own group of followers, Oberon enlists the aid of Puck. This clever and mischievous fairy delights in playing tricks on mortals and is a faithful servant of Oberon.
             By putting the nectar of a magic flower on the eyes of the sleeping Lysander, Puck causes him to fall in love with Helena and forsake Hermia. Into this confusion come Bottom and his amateur acting troupe. Puck turns Bottom's head into the head of a donkey, frightening off all his friends and leaving the weaver alone. He comes upon Titania, the Queen of the Fairies, and awak
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