An Alternative Perspective: Shakespeare and the World of Fairies in a Midsummer Night’s Dream

Abstract

Purpose: This research aims to explore the world of fairies in a comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1605) written by William Shakespeare. This study proposes that the concept of fairies described by William Shakespeare is mere supernatural rather than being philosophical as the Elizabethan age itself is defined for its prudence and emerging philosophies. Further, This study intends to present an alternative perspective on Elizabethan Fairies.
 Methodology: This research is hermeneutic in approach and descriptive in nature. The sources are collected in the form of both print and web. The primary text used for this research is Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1605).
 Findings: Shakespeare not only changes the physiognomy of Elizabethan fairies but also alters the functions that are associated with them.Elizabethan Fairies were known for their awe and evil-doing but the world of fairies that Shakespeare describes in the play is to some extent altered.
 Aplication of the study: This study is relevant to the field of literature, Elizabethan Literature ,and Occult philosophy. Students and researchers of Elizabethan drama will find it useful.
 Novelity or Originality of the study: The study is hitherto a novel approach to Elizabethan supernatural powers. By considering this alternative viewpoint, this qualitative study intends to study the world of fairies of this play in depth by focusing on multiple standpoints of the Elizabethan age contradicting with Shakespearian fairies characterized in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.