William Shakespeares A Midsummer Nights Dream Essay

William Shakespeares A Midsummer Nights Dream In William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, there are endless images of water and the moon. Both images lend themselves to a feeling of femininity and calm. In classical mythology, the image of water is often linked with Aphrodite, goddess of passion and love. Born of the foam of the sea, Aphrodite was revered as an unfaithful wife to her husband Hephaestus (Grant 36). This may have a direct coloration to the unfaithful nature of the four lovers, Hermia, Helena, Lysander, and Demetrius, while in the woods. Perhaps more important, however, is Aphrodite’s link to the other Olympian maiden goddesses. As Aphrodite was attributed with love and beauty, Athena was the protector of†¦show more content†¦(Shakespeare, Greenblatt Ed. 1.1.209-213) As with much of Shakespeare, this can be read several different ways. Phoebe’s mention could be simply to set the mood of the forest with a romantic shining moon glow. It seems however, to hold a larger place in the scheme of the play. Lysander’s introduction of Phoebe alludes to the serenity of the forest under the goddess who is the protector of that realm. The moon is spoken of in direct correlation with water and liquid images as if to equate the two â€Å"elements.† Perhaps a scientific correlation can be drawn here between the moon and its effects on the tides ebb and flow. Regardless, each time water is mentioned, it seems to be interchangeable with any of Phoebe’s imagery, and so from here on it shall be treated as such. It is important to realize that because of Phoebe, this entire situation has happened. As Egeus claims, Lysander has enchanted his daughter Hermia â€Å"with feigning voice verses of feigning love, and stol’n the impression of her fantasy†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Shakespeare, Greenblatt Ed. 1.1.31-32) all while in the â€Å"moonlight of her window† (Shakespeare, Greenblatt Ed. 1.1.30). With out this dream like lighting, perhaps the romancers would not be quite as smitten. This iridescent, calming glow of the moon is starkly contrasted with the threat of punishment. In attributing a â€Å"cold fruitless moon† (Shakespeare, Greenblatt Ed. 1.1.73) toShow MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeares A Midsummer Night’s Dream1973 Words   |  8 PagesWilliam Shakespeares A Midsummer Night’s Dream The focus of this discussion will be upon the language and performance possibilities of this extract from the Dream[1], following brief consideration of the manner in which the extract relates to the rest of the play in terms of plot development and the reflection of certain of the play’s themes. 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