A Midsummer Night’s Dream lines
“The course of true love never did run smooth”
(Lysander, Act 1 Scene 1)
Spoken by Lysander in the first scene of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this scene focuses on the
idea that there will always be problems in a romantic relationship. While lovers’ paths can cross
each other regularly, Lysander’s wise comment shows that falling for someone will never be as
idyllic as it can initially seem. Although Shakespeare often coined phrases with a different
meaning than at first glance, this is an example of a Shakespearean quote that carries a literal
meaning.
“Love looks not with the eyes”
(Helena, Act 1 Scene 1)
Helena utters this line in a monologue at the end of the first scene, as she considers what it means
to be in love. Seeing others mutually fall for people, Helena notes that love is a confusing
emotion and that love is more than a physical attraction. The full line sees Helena say: “Love
looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind… Love
said to be a child, Because in choice he is so oft beguiled” commenting on the equal youthfulness
and immaturity in a loving relationship.
“I must go seek some dewdrops here”
(Fairy, Act 2 Scene 1)
As Puck and a fairy meet for the first time in the text, Puck initially asks “How now, spirit!
whither wander you?” to which the fairy comments on their benevolent spirit. During this
speech, the fairy discusses what it means to work for Titania, the Fairy Queen, with rubies as her
fairy gifts and cowslips protecting her. By making sure to “seek some dewdrops here, And hang
a pearl in every cowslip’s ear”, the fairy puts down tokens of love in order to be rewarded, with
fairy rings later growing for good health in the forest.
“Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania”
(Oberon, Act 2, Scene 1)
Even though the pair rule as Fairy King and Queen, Oberon’s greeting to Titania suggests that
the pair are not always warm to one another. During the scene, Titania self-empowers her
identity to suggest that she does not have to follow all commands stated by Oberon. However, as
the Fairy Queen, this scene indicates Titania has a relegated status in their relationship.
“Lord, what fools these mortals be”
(Puck, Act 3, Scene 2)
As Puck speaks to Oberon about the humans that have found themselves in the forest, he
despairs at the human intellect. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the full line is: “Shall we their
fond pageant see? Lord, what fools these mortals be!” indicating he enjoys observing human
interaction and he is pleased to watch newcomers enter the spellbinding forest.
“Though she be but little, she is fierce”
(Helena, Act 3 Scene 2)
In the play, Helena says “O, when she’s angry, she is keen and shrewd. She was a vixen when
she went to school, And though she be but little, she is fierce.” in a scene with Hermia and
Lysander as the three of them confront existing relationships. In fact, Helena says this as a
sarcastic comment to Hernia about her fits of anger, with Hernia insulted and saying ““Little”
again? Nothing but “low” and “little”!”. Helena’s use of the word vixen indicates that this is an
insult directed towards a female, with the suffix ‘-en’ highlighting womanly ways to describe
someone. Arguably one of the most recognisable lines in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the line
suggests that being little does not equate to physical strength. However, the line is often taken
out of context in 21st-century speech.
“My Oberon! what visions have I seen!”
(Titania, Act 4 Scene 1)
Commenting on a strange dream that she has just had, Titania states “My Oberon! what visions
have I seen! Methought I was enamoured of an ass.” Waking up from a love spell that was
previously cast upon her, this line indicates Titania’s changing opinions on those around her.
While the Fairy King (Oberon) and Titania reflect on their newly realised feelings on love,
Titania quickly commands others to sleep by playing enchanting music, leaving the pair to
understand why she went to sleep surrounded by humans, rather than in a fairy-filled
environment.
“I have had a dream”
(Bottom, Act 4, Scene 1)
Awaking from a slumber, Bottom’s speech is uttered after an adventure with Titania, seeing the
intertwining relationship between fairies and humans grow ever closer. At first, Bottom believes
that the pair’s encounter was nothing more than a dream, but he cannot believe what has
supposedly happen, saying that it is “past the wit of man to say what dream it was”. Mixing up
the senses and body parts, it’s clear that Bottom enjoys what has just happened to him, wanting
to relive it in a ballad written by Peter Quince.
“If we shadows have offended”
(Puck, Act 5 Scene 1)
In the final monologue of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Puck wishes the audience a good night
and that, while tensions may have built during the play, everything will eventually become good
in the end. While apologising for potential offence caused, he says that “all is mended, that you
have but slumbered here while these visions did appear.” as individuals from all walks of life can
make amends with one another and continue to be civil
