Magic motifs

Right from the first scene, in which Egeus refers to Herma as bewitched by love, magic is used as a motif to reinforce the inexplicability and powers of love. This is continued when the lovers go to the woods and their affections for one another are manipulated by a sprite and magical flower. The lovers have absolutely no explanation for how they came to end up in two separate and happy couples, but the audience have an explanation – magic. Thus, through the recurring motif of magic, love is proven to be an elusive and intriguing force which can change and shift in an instant.