How Does Shakespeare Use Imagery In A Midsummer Night's Dream

In William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hermia and Lysander elope, while Demetrius looks for Hermia and Helena follows him like a crazy person who is in love. The use of imagery, symbolism, allusions and dramatic irony is key in understanding the characters and themes of the entire play. Imagery is used to pull the readers into the excitement of the plot using metaphors and similes. Titania’s beauty is exemplified when Oberon states, “Swell like round and orient pearls, /Stood now within the pretty flowerets’ eyes.” (4,1,51-53). Oberon compliments Titania’s beauty, but says nothing about her intellect, personality, or strength. This encourages the idea that women are only complimented for other than their physical appearance. Oberon says, “We the globe can compass soon, /Swifter than the wandering moon.” (4,1,95-96). Shakespeare uses a metaphor to compare travelling with the moon’s movement around the world. Lastly, when asked about her love for

Before heading to sleep, Titania says to Bottom, “Gently entwist, the female ivy so/Enrings the barky fingers of the elm.” (4,1,40-41). Titania is cuddling with Bottom, indicating that the two are in the honeymoon stage of their relationship, clinging to each other in their bubble. A feminist critic would analyze this quote and say that Shakespeare is alluding to the fact that women are clingy in relationships, that they cannot sleep alone at night and need a man to keep them safe. While Titania is asleep, Oberon is beside her, waiting for her to awaken, “Dian's bud o'er Cupid's flower.” (4,1,70). Oberon is referring to the Gods; Dian and Cupid, specifically, he mentions their respective powers of chastity and love. He wishes that Titania be awoken with love for him rather than Bottom. Again, from the feminist standpoint, it is showing women as damsels in distress that must be saved by men to be truly free. In this scenario, it is Titania’s one true love, Oberon that saves her.