Forest and Fairies Flashcards
(15 cards)
What does the forest symbolize in A Midsummer Night’s Dream?
The forest symbolizes the unknown and the unpredictable. It blurs the boundary between the human world and the fairy world.
How is the forest described in terms of imagery?
The forest is described as a place full of mystery, enchantment, and danger, where love and identity are tested.
What does the love potion represent in the play?
The love potion represents the power of magic and artifice, symbolizing manipulated and irrational love.
How does the love potion affect characters’ perceptions?
The love potion clouds perception, causing characters to see others in a distorted light.
What do the fairies symbolize in A Midsummer Night’s Dream?
The fairies symbolize the supernatural and the unseen forces that influence human affairs.
What natural imagery is associated with the fairies?
The fairies are associated with flowers, moonlight, and ethereal elements.
What is the symbolic role of the moon in the play?
The moon symbolizes romantic love, mystery, and transformation.
How does the moon contribute to the play’s atmosphere?
The moon creates a dream-like atmosphere and emphasizes the fairy-tale nature of the events.
What does the play within a play (‘Pyramus and Thisbe’) symbolize?
It symbolizes theatre as an illusion and reflects themes of miscommunication and misunderstanding.
What imagery is used in the play-within-a-play?
The absurdly exaggerated acting highlights the confusion and emotional turmoil of love.
What is a central theme related to transformation in the play?
Transformation symbolizes how love and identity are fluid and constantly in flux.
What are some key symbolic moments in the play?
Key moments include Bottom’s transformation, the love potion’s effect on lovers, and the moonlit night.
What does Bottom’s transformation into a donkey represent?
It represents the absurdity of situations and the dehumanizing effects of love.
What do the shifting affections caused by the love potion illustrate?
They illustrate how love can be temporary and unstable, not always based on reason.
What conclusion can be drawn about Shakespeare’s use of symbolism and imagery?
It emphasizes love’s irrationality, magic’s transformative power, and the blurring of reality and illusion.
