Act III - Favorite Quotes

Oberon:

We are spirits of another sort.
I with the morning's love have oft made sport,
And like a forester the groves may tread
Even till the eastern gate, all fiery red,
Opening on Neptune with fair blessed beams,
Turns into yellow gold his salt green streams.

(III, II, 388-393).

In this quote, Oberon is distinguishing himself and the other fairies from evil ghosts. Oberon and his fairies mostly do good, and sometimes make jests. I also love the imagery of Oberon wandering the forests until the sunrise "turns into yellow gold [Neptune's] salt green streams." I think that is beautiful.



Puck

Cupid is a knavish lad
Thus to make poor females mad.

Hermia

Never so weary, never so in woe,
Bedabbled with the dew and torn with briers,
I can not further crawl, no further go.
My legs can keep no pace with my desires.

(III, II, 440-445).

I like how Shakespeare followed a generally light-hearted quote by Puck about Cupid's knavery, with a quote by Hermia, describing her sad defeat in love. It shows how people place such an importance on relationships, and are frequently disappointed. Hermia is devastated because she devoted so much energy to chasing after her love, but her "legs can keep no pace with [her] desires." I think Shakespeare is trying to point out the humor in how we are so quick to fall in love, even though we know it may be short-lived. However, I do not think Shakespeare thinks that such a chase is a complete waste of time, because even though the happiness may not last forever, a relationship provides a sense of well-being and completeness, which is always good while it lasts.