A Midsummer Night's Dream Moon Essay

The moon as depicted within this photograph directly correlates to the imperative role it plays as a motif within the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In this story of passion and heartache the moon appears time and time again serving more than just its literal meaning. It provides the audience with a greater understanding of both the characters feelings and the environment in which a scene occurs. This is done through the use of symbolism that is demonstrated in a variety of ways, representing more than a single idea or concept. From the very beginning it’s clear that the moon holds significance, representing the passage a of time in which a scene transpires; this symbolism was very important during Shakespearean time markedly because it provided
Conversely this motif reoccurs again following the aforementioned speech, but in this circumstance as a representation of chastity. Particularly within the time period focused upon in the play this refers to the behaviour of sexual abstinence; this symbolism of the moon becomes apparent in Hermia’s case as Theseus discusses with her the consequences of becoming a nun claiming “For aye to be in shady cloister mew'd,/To live a barren sister all your life,/Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon” (I, i, 73-75). This chant of hymns to the moon in Theseus’ discussion carries a much greater underlying meaning, in which Hermia’s choice to abjure to the livery of a nun was one where she would only be detached and walled away from her love and emotions. This motif carries on in the play and becomes even more pertinent as the lovers head off into the woods chasing each other under the moon light. Eyes and the ability to see as portrayed with this photograph also relate to A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Their presence as a motif serves a crucial part in one’s