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All Site ContentMidsummer Night's DreamAct 5Scene 1
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"glimmering light"
Folklore
Act 5,
Scene 1
Lines 382-387

An explanation of Oberon’s reference to “glimmering light” in Act 5, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Oberon

Through the house give glimmering light.
By the dead and drowsy fire,
Every elf and fairy sprite
Hop as light as bird from brier,
And this ditty after me
Sing, and dance it trippingly.

Fairies were sometimes pictured with little candles attached to their heads in order to free up their hands for dancing or other fairy activities.