Theme Of Similes In A Midsummer Night's Dream

Many of William Shakespeare’s writings, works, and generally plays are filled with literary techniques such as metaphors, and similes, along with a rich and heavy “Shakespearean” vocabulary. Shakespeare’s metaphors and similes not only reflect a deeper understanding of the character’s mood or attitude, but ultimately can develop the plot of the story. His words and verbal power impact the play so much that analyzing these techniques, can further one’s understanding of the complete play itself. Specifically, in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the introduction passage between Theseus the Duke of Athens and his future wife, Hippolyta the Queen of the Amazons, while talking about the upcoming day of their wedding, clearly contains similes …show more content…
As explained, instead of dreading the days, simply dreaming or sleeping will make the days until marriage a lot faster; she ultimately feels indifferent about the marriage. In addition, she mentions how the moon will play an important role in their marriage, solidifying their union between each other. The bow she refers to in her simile, is Cupid’s, representing another strong bond that finalizes their marriage. Furthermore, the moon serves as an important image in the play illustrating love, created through Hippolyta’s words and simile. The title, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, could potentially allude to the moon, and its importance perhaps. In addition, aside from the romantic essence associated with the moon, the characters use it to guide themselves at night in the woods, proving the importance. Moreover, the moon is important to many of the characters as it reflects an image of their mood. As the moon represents the sacred union of marriage for Hippolyta, Hermia views the moon as awful or dreadful for she has until the next moon to make her decision on marriage, based on Theseus’ demand. As referred to in the quote above, Theseus says “the cold fruitless moon,” representing the dark mood Hermia must have. The moon also is noted to become cold and dreary when the fairy couple fight, but yet present when their love is resolved after Oberon’s plan …show more content…
Eventually Starveling, dresses and plays as the actual moon, adding humor to the idea of the moon as its been shown as the love, emotion, and mood of characters. It is interesting to wonder why Shakespeare suddenly takes a different view on the moon and makes humor of it. One might add he does this to add a sense of resolution, but also to control the outcome and his characters. It is clearly evident that Hippolyta’s simile containing the moon and Cupid’s bow, really establishes the moon as a crucial theme and image. The moon as an imagery of love introduced by Hippolyta, allows for the connection to be made but also curiosity of why the moon has a different meaning towards the