Understanding Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream by Robert A. Albano - HTML preview

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  1. The Symbolism of the Fairies and the Connection to Nature

 

The names of many of the fairies (Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, Mustardseed) are taken from nature, the names of herbs, flowers, or insects.

 

The play begins with social conventions: the courtroom scene in which Hermia is on trial. Hermia faces serious consequences: death or life in convent. Society initially is a negative force that runs contrary to nature.

 

Shakespeare presents a conflict of

Society vs. Nature:

Athens (city) vs. Woods (nature)

 

Idea of Escape ???? Lysander & Hermia need to escape the city in order to behave naturally

(the city is unnatural)

 

This is sometimes referred to as the Two Worlds Theme: the world of society vs. the world of nature. Such plays usually involve a journey from society to nature and then back again to society. And the characters in society improve and become more natural as a result of their visit to nature.