A Fairy Song by William Shakespeare — Summary, Analysis & Meaning

A Fairy Song by William Shakespeare — Summary, Analysis & Meaning

📄 1. Poem Overview

  • Title: A Fairy Song

  • Poet: William Shakespeare

  • Play: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Act II, Scene 1)

  • Speaker: One of Titania’s fairies

  • Type: Lyric poem (part of a play)

  • Tone: Light, magical, calm

This poem is sung by a fairy who serves Titania, the fairy queen. It talks about how fairies protect their queen, travel through the night, and keep her safe while she sleeps.

📘 2. Poem Text (Original)

Over hill, over dale,
Thorough bush, thorough brier,
Over park, over pale,
Thorough flood, thorough fire,
I do wander everywhere,
Swifter than the moon’s sphere;
And I serve the fairy queen,
To dew her orbs upon the green.

The cowslips tall her pensioners be:
In their gold coats spots you see;
Those be rubies, fairy favours,
In those freckles live their savours:
I must go seek some dewdrops here,
And hang a pearl in every cowslip’s ear.

✏️ 3. Summary (In Simple English)

The fairy says it travels all around the world, quickly and freely, to serve the fairy queen.

It decorates flowers with dew, especially cowslips (a type of flower), which are described as tiny royal servants dressed in gold with red jewels (spots).

The fairy’s job is to protect the queen by making her surroundings beautiful and safe, especially when she’s resting.

🎯 4. Themes

🧚 a. Magic and Nature

The poem shows a magical world that exists within nature—flowers, dew, moonlight.

👑 b. Loyalty and Service

The fairy is loyal to Titania, doing everything to serve her and make her sleep peaceful.

🌿 c. Beauty in the Small

Tiny things—like dewdrops and flower spots—are described as pearls and rubies, showing the fairy world values small natural details.

🔍 5. Poetic Devices

Device Example Effect
Alliteration “Flood, fire” / “Pearl...pensioners” Creates rhythm, musical quality
Imagery “Hang a pearl in every cowslip’s ear” Strong visual image; makes magic feel real
Personification Flowers = “pensioners” (royal guards) Makes nature feel alive
Metaphor Dew = pearls, flower spots = rubies Turns natural elements into treasures
Rhyme & Rhythm Regular pattern Makes it feel like a song or lullaby

📚 6. Context (Background Info)

  • This poem is from Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a comedy with magic, love, and dreams.

  • The fairy world in the play is full of mystery, playfulness, and natural magic.

  • Fairies were often seen as spirits of nature, both helpful and mischievous.

🧠 7. Practice Questions

a. Comprehension

  • Where does the fairy travel, and why?

  • What does the fairy do for Titania?

b. Language

  • Identify two examples of imagery in the poem.

  • What do the "gold coats" and "rubies" represent?

c. Discussion

  • How does this poem make nature feel magical?

  • What does the fairy's role tell us about the fairy world?

🎓 8. Why It Matters

This poem is a great example of how Shakespeare:

  • Blends nature and magic

  • Uses beautiful language to describe small things

  • Creates a magical world that’s detailed, calm, and full of wonder

It also reminds us that poetry doesn’t have to be serious—it can be playful, musical, and full of imagination ✨

🌟 Final Takeaway

“Even the smallest things—like dew or flowers—can become magical in the hands of a good poet.”

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