In keeping with today’s Shakespeare theme, I turned for inspiration to one of his lighter works, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” wherein we have two happy couples: Hermia and Lysander, and Helena and Demetrius —Demetrius having initially been in love with Hermia, then being enchanted by the local fairies (mythical creatures, probably better referred to today as “sprites”) to turn his romantic attentions to Helena.

You see? I told you Shakespeare was fun.

Very briefly, everyone’s favorite protagonist in this play — the mischievous sprite Puck — spies on the frolicking foursome as they engage in an argument over something trivial and nonsensical. And, clever fellow that he is, he sums up their behavior in just a few words, which you have doubtless heard before:

“Lord, what fools these mortals be!”
– Shakespeare, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act III, Scene 2

Yes, Puck . . . we are. We truly are.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
4/25/26