Act I, Scene 1 of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is the opening scene of Shakespeare's play and sets the stage for the rest of the story. In this scene, we are introduced to several key characters and the conflict that will drive the plot.
The first character we meet is Theseus, Duke of Athens, who is preparing to marry Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons. Theseus is a powerful and confident man, and his betrothal to Hippolyta is a political move meant to solidify his power. Hippolyta, however, is less than enthused about the marriage and seems to be somewhat intimidated by Theseus.
Next, we meet two young Athenian lovers, Lysander and Demetrius. Lysander and Demetrius are both in love with a young woman named Hermia. Hermia, however, is in love with Lysander and not Demetrius. This creates a problem because Hermia's father, Egeus, wants her to marry Demetrius. Egeus takes his case to Theseus, asking for the Duke to enforce his will and force Hermia to marry Demetrius.
Finally, we are introduced to a group of amateur actors known as the Mechanicals. The Mechanicals are preparing to perform a play in honor of the Duke and his bride, but they are not the best actors and are quite bumbling in their preparations.
In summary, Act I, Scene 1 of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" introduces us to the Duke of Athens and his fiancée, two young lovers, and a group of amateur actors. The scene sets up the conflict between the young lovers, who are fighting for the right to be together, and the Duke of Athens, who must decide how to handle the situation. This conflict, along with the antics of the Mechanicals, sets the stage for the magical and whimsical events that will unfold in the rest of the play.