Fairies: a few questions

[Selphie]

I'm doing my skilled work about the fairies in Shakespears Midsummer Nights Dream.
Now I want to do a poll, I have three questions so it would be nice if some people would respons to them.

First question: Height

What do you belive how tall the fairies are in a Midsummer Nights Dream?
Are they tall as a human (how else could Titania wind Bottom in her arms?? (Act IV, Scene I)) or are they realy small (Their wappens have to be realy smal if they can kill a red-hipp' humblebee with it( Act IV, Scene I).).

Second question: Changeling

Was the mother of the changeling boy a human or a fairy?
In the play Titania says that the mother was a vot'ress of her order( Act II Scene I). So that leads to the belive the she is a fairy, but Titania also sais that she was a mortal(Act II Scene I), that would mean she was a human.

Third question: Jealousy

Why do Oberon and Titania bless Theseus and Hippolytas marriage?
At the beginning they accuse eachother of being in love with Theseus/ Hippolyta (Act II Scene I). Oberon even accuse Titania of making Theseus break faith with several women (Act II Scene I). So isn't it a little bit strange that in the end both bless Theseus and Hippolytas marriage especially Titania?

Thanks for helping me.

[ennison]

My Great grandfather met the bean shidhe washing shrouds - a shivery tale for me when young.

She was normal size. Most of our fairies or siaraichean were on the smallish size, 'bout four foot tall. Shakespeare's I couldn't say - tiny I'd guess. A different genus of fairies probably. Jealousy seems a common failing that they all have!

The great forensic agnostic Conan Doyle became a believer in fairies. That's what happens - nature abhors a vacuum!

[zyanya]

First question: Height

What do you believe how tall the fairies are in a Midsummer Nights Dream?

The fairies can be whatever height their magical hearts desire. Titania is small enough to sleep in an acorn and big enough to wrap her arms around a man with the head of a donkey. Because fairies represent magic or dream than the ability to take on various forms and sizes seems a natural ability.

Second question: Changeling

Was the mother of the changeling boy a human or a fairy?

The mother of the boy was most certainly human. 'Votress' seems to imply priestess here. Many religious orders had, and still have, the priest and priestesses. Yes, there are priestesses.

Third question: Jealousy

Why do Oberon and Titania bless Theseus and Hippolytas marriage?

Here is where you must acknowledge the difference between humans and fairies. Humans have a short and fiery lifespan. Fairies have a seemingly indefinite life span. Therefore, how they deal with eternity and their own entertainment is quite beyond our imagining. Oberan loves Hippolyta and Titania loves Theseus. However, the fairies are wise enough to know that their love is fleeting and for the moment. Theseus and Hippolyta are human, mortal, therefore constantly dieing. Oberan and Titania have an immortal love for each other and for life. They adore nature and beautiful people and so they enjoy the nobles in our play. Oberan and Titania both go to bless the marriage because the wish the best in life, however fleeting it is, for those they love.

[Selphie]

I want to thank you two for answering my questions, they are very helpfully.
In this regard and also want to spur everyone on to answer a question. The answers don't have to be correct. Presumptions are allowed and welcome.

The end of this poll is on Wednesday.

Thank you again for helping me.

[Sirenita]

I realize your offfical poll is over but I just thought I'd throw out my 2 cents worth of opinion.

The play was reportedly written to be performed at an estate for the marriage that Queen Eliz I was attending. Since it is a performance piece, the fairies would have been human size ( generally small, short or young teen males since women could not perform on stage) .

The fairies bless the union because it is a good political ending for the audience it was written & performed for :a feel-good ending for the wealthy, royal patrons who attended the wedding weekend & wanted an upbeat play as opposed to reality or tragedy. This was a smart marketing move for the Bard.

THe Votress (like votive candles) is a mortal female who attends Titiania's shrines or altars. She was a mortal human (so died ) but she had so entertained the Fairy Queen with her sailing imitations that when the Votaress was impregnated by the Indian Prince, she asks Titaina to overwatch her child. THis is a favor i that it is smart for Titiania to grant as this gives her "street creds" with other humans who can see that working for the fairy queen pays off, as the quenn is loyal & takes care of her own devotees. Also, becasue of the exotic parentage, the child is extraordinarily beautiful. A changeling was commonly used to mean that a fairy baby was substituted for a human child the fairies admired. The exchange of the infants could cause mischief or be a boon to the human family, helping to ward off evil or playful spirits. Sometimes the changeling (human child) was put to work by the arrogant fairies doing meanial trasks they deemed too petty for their hands.