A Midsummer Night’s Dream Literary Terms By Nick Yun

Rhyme “Love, therefore, and tongue-tied simpli city, In least speak most, to my capa city ” (158) - In this passage, Theseus is explaining to Hippolyta that people speak most when they have the least to say. This is a rhyme and a meter where simplicity and capacity rhyme and the order of the words make you say it in a rhythm. City!

Rhyme “But with good w ill. To show our simple sk ill ” (160) - This quote is by Quince saying the prologue that the play is not to offend, but just to show their skill. This is a rhyme as the ill in will and skill rhyme. ill

Rhyme “The actors are at hand: and by their sh ow, You shall know all, that you are like to kn ow ” (160) - In this passage, Quince is saying the prologue that everyone is ready and you will know the plot and everything you need to know. The ow in show and know have similar sounds making it a rhyme. OW!

Meter “Consider then, we come but in despite. We do not come, as minding to content you, Our true intent is. All for your delight, We are not here. That you here should repent you” (160) - In this exert, Quince is saying that the actors have come not just to please them to their minimum content, but for all their delight. Despite and Delight have common vowel sounds and you and you are identical. This makes the passage somewhat rhyming, and this makes a pattern and makes you say it in a rhythm making it a meter.

Assonance “Such shaping fantasies, that appreh e nd More than cool reason ever compreh e nds” - This was by Theseus explaining his thoughts on the adventure of the young Athenians. Apprehend and comprehends make an assonance because they both have the same vowel sound.

Alliteration “Myself the Man i’ th’ Moon do seem to be” (170) - This is Staverling presenting him to be moonshine. This is an alliteration because M is repeated near consecutively in the quote.

Alliteration “To the best bride-bed will we” (182) - Theseus is explaining where they will be going to Theseus’ marriage bed. This is an alliteration because B is repeated consecutively in this quote.

Simile “His eyes were green as leeks.” (178) - This is Thisbe comparing Pyramus’ eyes as green as leeks. A leek is an edible plant with dark green leaves. To compare someone’s eyes being as green as leeks is saying that the person has dark green eyes.

Simile “With hands as pale as milk” (178) - This is Thisbe comparing Pyramus’ hands to milk. Milk is obviously white, and if the hands are pale as milk, then the hands must be distinctively pale.

Personification “The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelve” (180) - This is Theseus using personification by giving midnight human traits by saying it has an iron tongue and it tells the time of twelve o’ clock.

Personification “By the dead and drowsy fire” - Oberon is saying how even though the fire is dead and drowsy the house is glimmering. However, Oberon is personifying the fire giving it human traits such as being dead and drowsy.

Pseudonym In A midsummer Night’s Dream, Robin Goodfellow is a mischievous playful fairy that causes trouble. However, in the play, his name is covered with the name Puck. In English Mythology, Puck was a mythological fairy and a mischievous nature spirit. Just like the myths, Puck was a mischievous nature spirit in the play as well. He misused his nature powers to trick the Athenians and cause trouble. In mythology, it was said that Puck was a woodland sprite that would lead people astray with echoes and lights. In the play, Puck did similar things as he used echoes by imitating Demetrius’ and Lysander’s voice and leading them astray. Shakespeare obviously used this character from english celtic mythology to use in his play. The name perfectly matches the character that is played.

The End!