You are here

All Site ContentMidsummer Night's DreamAct 4Scene 1
Back to the Play
"female ivy"
Metaphor
Act 4,
Scene 1
Lines 37-44

An explanation of the ivy and elm metaphor in Act 4, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Bottom

But I pray you, let none of your people stir me. I have an
exposition of sleep come upon me.

Titania

Sleep thou, and I will wind thee in my arms.
Fairies, begone, and be always away.
[Exit fairies]
So doth the woodbine the sweet honeysuckle
Gently entwist; the female ivy so
Enrings the barky fingers of the elm.
O how I love thee, how I dote on thee!

Ivy climbing an elm tree was a common metaphor for a couple’s relationship. The man is represented by the elm tree , while the woman is represented by the ivy, which lovingly wraps itself around the tree.