Miko: annotations

Helena, Hermia, Lysander, and Demetrius are still on stage.

A stage direction meaning “alone”. “Solus” was applied to males and “sola” to females.

No explicit stage exit is given in the First Quarto or First Folio. Modern editions add this stage direction because it makes sense that Robin has to exit in order to give Bottom an ass' head.

This stage direction is not in the First Quarto.

Robin Goodfellow is a puck, a type of mischievous spirit. It's unclear if Shakespeare also intended that Robin's name is “Puck”. It may be that Shakespeare and his audience were not concerned with the distinction. Some modern editions refer to him as “Puck” in the prompts, and others as “Robin”. The First Quarto and First Folio use both “Puck” and “Robin”.

The First and Second Quartos have Helena enter here. That is obviously a mistake because she enters later in the scene. The Folios correct that mistake.

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In the First Folio Theseus calls for Egeus.

an exclamation indicating drowsiness

think of as