A Midsummer Night's Dream · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare.
Demetrius
major
Also known as Lysander Demetrius, Demetrius Yea, Demetrius Ay, Demetrius Well roared
Athenian nobleman in love with Hermia, later enchanted to pursue Helena.
Lysander
major
Also known as Lysander One, Lysander Demetrius, Reenter Lysander, Lysander Proceed
Young Athenian who loves Hermia and flees with her into the forest.
Hermia
major
Also known as fair Hermia, sweet Hermia, beauteous Hermia, gentle Hermia, Hermia Lysander, Hermia Methinks, Hermia Yea
Athenian woman who defies her father to marry Lysander.
Helena
major
Also known as Helena Good Hermia, gentle Helena, This Helena, Helena of Athens, Helena Ay, Fair Helena, Helena So methinks, Helena Lo, Helena O
Athenian woman in love with Demetrius, follows him into the forest.
Oberon
major
Also known as Oberon Tarry, Enter Oberon, Oberon Advancing
King of the fairies who uses magic to manipulate the lovers.
Titania
major
Also known as Titania Sleep
Queen of the fairies, quarrels with Oberon over a changeling boy.
Puck
major
Also known as Puck Thou, sweet Puck, Puck This, Puck Ho, gentle Puck, the Puck, Robin Goodfellow, Robin
Oberon's mischievous servant who applies love potion to the wrong eyes.
Theseus
supporting
Also known as Duke Theseus, mighty Theseus, Theseus Pyramus, Theseus The, Theseus Moonshine
Duke of Athens who prepares to marry Hippolyta.
Hippolyta
supporting
Also known as fair Hippolyta, Hippolyta Methinks
Queen of the Amazons, betrothed to Theseus.
Egeus
supporting
Also known as good Egeus, Egeus Scornful Lysander
Hermia's father who insists she marry Demetrius.
Nick Bottom
supporting
Also known as Bottom, Bottom Thisby, sweet Bottom, Nick Bottom, Bottom Good Master Mustardseed, Bottom Mounsieur Cobweb
Weaver and amateur actor who is transformed into a donkey by Puck.
Peter Quince
supporting
Also known as Quince, Quince Bottom, Quince Francis Flute, Quince Flute, Quince Robin Starveling
Carpenter who directs the play of Pyramus and Thisbe.
Francis Flute
minor
Also known as Flute, Quince Francis Flute
Bellows-mender who plays Thisbe in the mechanicals' play.
Tom Snout
minor
Also known as Snout, Reenter Snout
Tinker who plays the Wall in the mechanicals' play.
Robin Starveling
minor
Also known as Robin Starveling, Quince Robin Starveling
Tailor who plays Moonshine in the mechanicals' play.
Philostrate
minor
Also known as Exit Philostrate
Master of revels to Theseus, arranges the wedding entertainment.
Peaseblossom
minor
Also known as Master Peaseblossom, Good Master Peaseblossom
One of Titania's fairy attendants.
Mounsieur Cobweb
minor
Also known as Mounsieur Cobweb, Bottom Mounsieur Cobweb, mounsieur
One of Titania's fairy attendants.
Good Master Mustardseed
minor
Also known as Bottom Good Master Mustardseed
One of Titania's fairy attendants.
Moth
minor
Also known as Moth Hail
One of Titania's fairy attendants.
