Fairies: Beauty or Contentment? :: English Literature

Fairies: Beauty or Contentment? Fairies- like witches- were widely accepted as real in the Elizabethan era. The witches in Macbeth still stir debate over whether they initiated Macbeth’s crimes or simply anticipated then. What role do you think the fairies have in A Midsummer Night’s Dream? Are they simply a theatrical device to create wonder and beauty on stage or do the fairies have a greater significance? How does Shakespeare use them? In correlation to Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the role of the witches produces a direct connotation with the role of the fairies in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The philosophical perception of fate is carried throughout both the dramas, enacting to drive the plot forward. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare uses the fairies to depict a magical setting, symbolizing beauty, love and contentment. These symbols form the basis of the play in context to the plot for the reason that these symbols drive the plot to come full circle by the 5th Act. However, the magical setting portrays Shakespeare’s intent of having the interaction between the two worlds; hence the combination is what formulates the plots complications whilst further proving the drama to be a romantic comedy. In addition, A Midsummer Night’s Dream revolves around the themes of love and marriage; thus the implication of fairies adds to the emotions of content through possessing a magical and joyous touch. Lastly, in contrast to the witches in Macbeth, the fairies don’t seem to possess an evil side, hence signifying the love and romance that surrounds the play. On this basis, Shakespeare uses the fairies to create an ambiance of affection; as their wits disregard the play to be more comedic than tragic. Nonetheless, Shakespeare connects the fairies to comedy within the play for the fact that the characters are in a dream world which frustrated lovers find happiness against all odds through the juice of a tree and further lovers suicides can be laughed at because they are part of badly told tale. In context to the play, the fairies significance is somewhat vital for the reason that their actions and decisions determine the course of the play. Furthermore, the opening scene is somewhat significant for the reason that it tells the reader the play is a fairy story, thus the role of the fairies is then imperative to some extent. â€Å"And then the moon, like to a silver bow new bent in heaven, shall behold the night† implies the notion of a ‘once upon a time story’, hence being a magical tale. Secondly, in correlation to the notion of fate that persists within the real world is determined through the magical droplets of the fairies, hence causing complications and the structure