Sunday Snippet

In the run up to the end of October, Hallowe'en and the beginning of winter, Ifeel that it is appropriate to post this snippet from Shakespeare. The supernatural was very much a part of life in Shakespeare's time when science was not a part of 'everyman's' life and fear of the unknown was. Shakepeare used these beings and creatures to weave magic and suspense into his plays.

Here is one example:

Night

Now the hungry lion roars,
And the wolf behowls the moon;
Whilst the heavy ploughman snores,
All weary task fordone.
Now the wasted brands do glow,
Whilst the screech-owl, screeching loud,
Puts the wretch that lies in woe
In remembrance of a shroud.
Now is the time of night
That the graves, all gaping wide,
Every one lets forth his sprite,
In the church-way paths to glide:
And we fairies, that do run
By the triple Hecate's team,
From the presence of the sun,
Following darkness like a dream,
Now are frolic; not a mouse
Shall disturb this hallow'd house:
I am sent with broom before,
To sweep the dust behind the door.

'A Midsummer NIght's Dream': Act V, Scene 1