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All Site ContentMidsummer Night's DreamAct 1Scene 1
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"this old moon ... like to a stepdame"
Simile
Act 1,
Scene 1
Lines 1-6

An explanation of Theseus’ moon metaphor in Act 1, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

[Ancient Athens. Enter Duke Theseus, ruler of Athens; Hippolyta, his soon to be wife; Philostrate, a nobleman; and various attendants]

Theseus

Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour
Draws on apace. Four happy days bring in
Another moon — but, Oh, methinks how slow
This old moon wanes! She lingers my desires,
Like to a stepdame or a dowager
Long withering out a young man’s revenue.

Theseus is comparing his having to wait until the new moon for his wedding day to a son’s having to wait until his widowed mother or step-mother dies before he can inherit the family estate. The widow's continued existence is "withering" out, dragging out, the time the son must wait for his inheritance. The word "withering" also brings to mind the image of an old woman withering away, shriveling up.