Symbolism and Imagery in A Midsummer Night's Dream.
In A Midsummer Night's Dream, William Shakespeare brilliantly uses the night as a motif which plays a valuable role in the play. He combines this motif with the related symbols of the play to demonstrate the power of night and its correlation with love and vision. He uses symbolism and imagery to develop the motif and makes extensive use of the night forest which, in part, helps the situation of the four young lovers, one of the main plots of the play. .
It might seem strange that Shakespeare would choose a forest at night as the main setting for a comedy; the dark forest serves as the center of the play's world, ousting Athens, a city that was regarded as the center of ancient Greek civilization. The darkness of the night is intensified in the forest; the dark is intense enough for the characters to fear being alone. Helena cries out to Demetrius not to abandon her "darkling", or in the dark (Act II, Scene 2, 85). When Lysander abandons Hermia, she is convinced that being alone in the dark could lead her to death: .
Speak, of all loves; I swoon almost with fear. .
No? Then I will perceive you are not nigh. .
Either death or you I"ll find immediately. .
(Act II, Scene 2, 153-155) .
The night symbolizes darkness and a state of blindness. It symbolizes mischief and madness, fairies and magic. The night forest provides a setting for dangerous and daring acts such as Hermia and Lysander's plan to escape Athens. The lovers plan to execute their plan and meet at "deep midnight" (Act I, Scene 1, 223). .
The moon, which has been said all throughout the play to affect human behaviour, is the only source of light at night which allows the lovers the see each other. Shakespeare associates the moon with love. In the opening scene of the play, Theseus is anxious to get married to Hippolyta. He complains "four happy days bring in/ Another moon: but O, methinks how slow/ This old moon wanes! She lingers my desires/ Like to a step-dame" (Act 1, Scene 1, 2-5).
Franklin 1 Tiffany Franklin Coach Short EH 9-3 7 October 2002 William Shakespeare No one really knows when William Shakespeare was born. ... John Shakespeare became an alderman in 1565. ... Mary Shakespeare died in 1608 and was buried on September 9. ... Anne Shakespeare was buried on April 4, 1579. ... At eighteen, William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. ...
William Shakespeare On April 26, 1564, John Shakespeare's son, William, was baptized at the Stratford Parish Church. ... Shakespeare's formal William Shakespeare was born in the year of 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. ... John Shakespeare was a tanner, and a glove maker. ... John Shakespeare was a tanner, and a glove maker. ... John Shakespeare was a tanner, and a glove maker. ...
Shakespeare was clearly influenced by his race. ... Most of Shakespeare's works contain some form of the supernatural. ... However, Shakespeare's happy enthusiasm didn't last. ... Shakespeare, however, didn't end his days in mental gloom. ... William Shakespeare was a genius. ...
On April 26, 1564 in the prosperous English town of Stratford-upon-Avon, the first son of John Shakespeare and Mary Arden was baptized and christened William Shakespeare. ... Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. ... By 1592 Shakespeare had become involved with the theatre in London. ... The first of Shakespeare's plays was performed later that year. ... Shakespeare's own life came to an end on April 23, 1616. ...
*Shakespeare's biography* Shakespeare was born, to all appearance, on April 1564. ... John Shakespeare was a son of Richard Shakespeare, a rich and respected farmer. ... Shakespeare got married as a very young man. ... *The Age of Shakespeare* Mysterious William Shakespeare, whose writings are very valuable for England, was one of the greatest English poets. ... Shakespeare started his acting career in "The Theatre". ...
Shakespeare communicates this using a variety of dramatic techniques and I will also be outlining these in this essay. ... The setting which Shakespeare starts the play is dark, desolate and "bitter cold". ... It was Shakespeare's aim to communicate the inner conflict within Hamlet in this act and therefore, establish empathy between the audience and the character of Hamlet....
Well when I hear this quote, I think of Shakespeare. ... Shakespeare's share in the acting company made him wealthy. With the opening if the splendid Globe Theatre in 1599, Shakespeare's fortunes increased. Shakespeare wrote nearly all of his plays from 1590 to 1611. ... Shakespeare's wife. ...
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford upon Avon, England. ... The third of eight children to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden, William was there eldest son. ... Tragically Hamnet, Shakespeares only son died two months later due to natural causes. ... Shakespeare was fortunate to get them both as teachers. ... Shakespeare's plays soon became known by everyone in London. ...
Shakespeare's was a family of eight children. William Shakespeare's parents, John Shakespeare and Mary Arden raised their children in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon. ... John Shakespeare was very respected and held several important positions in local government William, who had four brothers and two sisters, was the third child of John and Mary Shakespeare. ... In August 1596 Shakespeare's life was disturbed by family tragedy. ... In conclusion, William Shakespeare is a famous figure in literature. ...
