Mitarai Digital Folio

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act 1

356Lines 2Scenes 14Speakers 71% / 29%Male / Female Lines

Act 1 of A Midsummer Night's Dream runs 356 lines across 2 scenes, carrying about 16.5% of the play’s total dialogue with 14 named speakers. It’s shorter than the play’s average act (432 lines).

Act opens (Scene 1, Theseus): “Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour”

Act closes (Scene 2, Bottom): “Enough; hold or cut bow-strings.”

The 2 scenes of Act 1

Scene Lines Speakers Share of act
Scene 1 255 7 71.6%
Scene 2 101 7 28.4%

Who speaks in Act 1

The leading voice is Theseus with 18% of Act 1’s dialogue (65 lines).

Character Lines in act Share
Theseus 65 18.3%
Hermia 56 15.7%
Lysander 54 15.2%
Bottom 51 14.3%
Helena 43 12.1%
Quince 42 11.8%
Egeus 30 8.4%

About Act 1 of A Midsummer Night's Dream

How many lines are in Act 1 of A Midsummer Night’s Dream?

356 lines spread across 2 scenes.

Who dominates Act 1?

Theseus delivers 18% of the act’s dialogue (65 lines).