William Shakespeare - a Midsummer's Night Dream

Sparknotes

The “cares” were fears and uncertainties; the “disguises” were the pretenses that the lovers put on so that others wouldn’t know they were in love. They are diligent in this, with love “still diligent lest others see.” These fears disappear the way shadows disappear under their feet under the hot clarity of the noonday sun. The new shadows (fears) that appear in the afternoon are different from those experienced in the morning. The morning shadows stand for fears about others knowing of their love; the afternoon shadows stand for fears about the other’s loyalty and sincerity. (“These which come behind / Will work upon ourselves, and blind our eyes.”)

The “cares” were fears and uncertainties; the “disguises” were the pretenses that the lovers put on so that others wouldn’t know they were in love. They are diligent in this, with love “still diligent lest others see.” These fears disappear the way shadows disappear under their feet under the hot clarity of the noonday sun. The new shadows (fears) that appear in the afternoon are different from those experienced in the morning. The morning shadows stand for fears about others knowing of their love; the afternoon shadows stand for fears about the other’s loyalty and sincerity. (“These which come behind / Will work upon ourselves, and blind our eyes.”)

The “cares” were fears and uncertainties; the “disguises” were the pretenses that the lovers put on so that others wouldn’t know they were in love. They are diligent in this, with love “still diligent lest others see.” These fears disappear the way shadows disappear under their feet under the hot clarity of the noonday sun. The new shadows (fears) that appear in the afternoon are different from those experienced in the morning. The morning shadows stand for fears about others knowing of their love; the afternoon shadows stand for fears about the other’s loyalty