A Midsummer Night's Dream dramatis personae
There are three sets of characters in William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and they interweave the play as follows:
1. The mortals
Theseus, King of Athens – He is a powerful and wise figure. Imressive with real presence and not without a sense of humour. He has captured Hippolyta and intends to marry her.
Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons – captured by Theseus following a battle. She is disdainful of Theseus and his advances and whilst defeated in battle she is most definitely not defeated in character.
Egeus, an elder nobleman – is a bit of an old woman and never uses one word where ten would do perfectly well. He demands justice from Theseus in the matter of his daughter, Hermia.
Demetrius, a prince – has been playing the field and now plans to wed Hermia to further his own ends. He’s a dangerous man when provoked.
Lysander, a prince. Lysander – is a straight up guy. Loves Hermia and is prepared to do whatever is necessary to keep her.
Hermia, Daughter of Egeus – is a lady who knows what she wants but is torn by her loyalty to her father and her love for Lysander. She can be diffident but there lurks a tiger underneath.
Helena, a young noblewoman – who is in love with and has loved Demetrius. She is determined to have him for herself even if it means hurting her friend Hermia. She is feisty and strong.
Philostrate, court jester to Theseus.
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2. The spirits
Titania, Queen of the Fairies – is full of presence, a powerful and sexy woman who spits ice and breathes fire. She is in the midst of one of her many feuds with Oberon.
Oberon, King of the Fairies – is wise and not without compassion. He can’t live with and can’t live without Titania. He is not averse to a bit of extra-curricular!
Puck, Oberon’s messenger – a mischievous elfin character. Supple and animated Puck is clever enough to see his master’s faults and failings as well as his strengths. Puck is a central element in the action and must be able to hold the audience for the final speech of the play.
Peaseblossom, Mustardseed, Cobweb, Moth – named fairy attendees to Titania PLUS possible four others.
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3. The mechanicals
Peter (or Peta) Quince, head of a local trade guild – a bit of a bossy boots rather like a shop steward. Peta is good at telling people what to do, is a lousy judge of character and manages to avoid doing anything. This will be a female role. Peta has a thing for Bottom!
Nick Bottom, a local odd job man – splendid, daft, wants to do everything. He’s a jack of all trades and master of none but he’s likeable and definitely a tad dimmer than he thinks he is. Bottom is one of Shakespeare’s most famous characters.
Flute, an apprentice lad – always gets the rotten jobs. Flute comes into his own though and can steal the show!
Snout, a carpenter’s mate – is useful, willing and a bit of a plodder with the odd flash of brightness. A taller person to play snout would be good!
Snug, a ladys maid – shy and timorous doesn’t even begin to describe Snug. She is going to add a lot of comedy to the play!
Starveling, a cook – is brusque and practical. She thinks Quince is a jerk.
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