By the end of the play, though, the dreams in the forest end up transcending reality. It’s those dreamy visions, and not the Athenian Law, that governs and guides the actions of the characters. The question arises then, if it was the inexplicable fantasies in the forest that solved the problems in the story, why is reason and rule considered more valuable than dreams? Through similes and metaphors that require the reader to think beyond what’s written, Shakespeare uses the story to offer an alternative to what people think of dreams. He proposes, that instead of being simply irrational illusions in our sleep, they can offer revelations from which people can gain tremendous insight. Dreams can actually transform reality through the power of transforming thoughts.
Robin’s final words to the audience are a good example of how Shakespeare uses metaphors in his plays. In this instance he compares the events in the play, or what appeared as reality, with a dream. The reference to shadows, visions and slumber gives the audience the feel of a dream and an option to act as though everything that has happened was only a dream and the characters were mere