School Version

13. Demetrius hurts Helena

As Oberon watches, unobserved outside the circle, Demetrius behaves with all the callousness of youth in his 'punishment' of the too-forward Helena.

Just how close are the lovers in their costuming and behaviour to the school context? They seem considerably less embedded in it than the uniformed fairies - or is it that these teenagers are 'cutting' senior classes to spend the day in the woods?

A Midsummer Night's Dream