Magic, the supernatural or unexplained, serves as an aid in William Shakespeare's A Midsummer's Night Dream. For example, since Oberon uses a supernatural flower, and in his description of it to Puck he noted it's magical function, The juice of it on sleeping eye-lids laid / Will make a man or woman madly dote / Upon the next live creatures it sees (Act II Scene i), he wins Titania's favor. Even though Oberon himself is one of the many magical characters in the play, he uses Cupid's flower to aid him. Titania's "good turn" would not have happened at all if not for Cupid's love-stained flower. Secondly, given that Oberon has magical powers, he uses them to turn Bottom'd dense head into that of an ass, and Bottom's retinue notices immediately, Flute: O Bottom, thou art changed! what do I see on thee?⦠Quince: Bless thee, Bottom! bless thee! thou art translated! (Act III Scene I) Oberon's interference with whom Titania falls in love with at first sight is humorous because Oberon chooses a mortal, but transforms his features to make her "first sight" a comical, but intended error.
Oberon, Titania and Puck with Fairies Dancing. Fro...
Rochdale Canal - view including Steanor Bottom Tol...
Study for The Quarrel of Oberon and Titania by Noe...Titania and Bottom's acquaintance would not have been met if it not for Oberon's spells. Lastly, as Oberon's prying does not stop with Titania, his concern for Helena and Demetrius, is worsened because of Puck's mistake, What hast thou done? thou hast mistaken quite / And laid the love-juice on some true-love's sight (Act III Scene II) Originally Demetrius and Lysander love Hermia, but because of Puck's mistake, Helena is the one favored by both men. Oberon's meddling causes more problems than solutions, but with Puck's help, they correct it. To finish, thanks to the fairy intervention, all in Shakespeare's play are happy and finally content with their partner. Without...