Oberon, also Auberon, King of the Fairies, is most well-known as a character in William Shakespeare's play, A Midsummer Night's Dream, written in the mid-1590s. Oberon gives his wife, Titania, a potion that causes her to fall in love with Bottom in order to get the changeling, who was given to Titania by her dying maid. It has been suggested that Trooping fairies be merged into this article or section. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Title page of the first quarto (1600) A Midsummer Nights Dream is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare written sometime in the mid-1590s. ... Nick Bottom is a character in Shakespeares A Midsummer Nights Dream who provides comic relief throughout the play, and is famously known for getting his head transformed into a donkeys head within the play. ...

The medieval concept of the character Oberon arose from a multitude of earlier sources.

Merovingian legend

Oberon's status as king of the elves comes from the character of Alberich (elbe "elves" reix, rex "king"), a sorcerer in the legendary history of the Merovingian dynasty. In the legend, he is the otherworldly "brother" of Merowech, whose name is the eponym of the Merovingians. Alberich wins for his eldest son Walbert the hand of a princess of Constantinople. In the Nibelungenlied, a burgundian poem written around the turn of the 13th century, Alberich guards the treasure of the Nibelungen, but is overcome by Sigfrid. A small forest elf (älva) rescuing an egg, from Solägget (1932), by Elsa Beskow An elf is a mythical creature of Germanic mythology/paganism which still survives in northern European folklore. ... Alberich was a legendary sorcerer originating in the mythos of the Frankish Merovingian Dynasty. ... It has been suggested that mage: be merged into this article or section. ... There are other articles with similar names; see Merovingian (disambiguation). ... Merowig (fl. ... An eponym is the name of a person, whether real or fictitious, which has (or is thought to have) given rise to the name of a particular place, tribe, discovery or other item. ... For other uses of the term Merovingian, see Merovingian (disambiguation). ... The term prince (the female form is princess), from the Latin root princeps, when used for a member of the highest aristocracy, has several fundamentally different meanings — one generic, and several types of titles. ... Map of Constantinople. ... The Nibelungenlied is an epic poem in Middle High German. ... Burgundian is either of the following; An extinct language of the Germanic language group spoken by the Burgundians. ... German Nibelung and the corresponding Old Norse form Niflung (Niflungr) refers in most of the German texts and in all the Old Norse texts to the royal family or lineage of the Burgundians who settled at Worms. ... Sigurd (Old Norse: Sigurðr, German: Siegfried) was a legendary hero of Norse mythology, as well as the central character in the Völsunga saga. ...

French heroic song

The name Oberon got its literary start in the first half of the 13th century from the fairy dwarf Oberon that helps the hero in the chanson de geste, titled Les Prouesses et faitz du noble Huon de Bordeaux. When Huon, son of Seguin count of Bordeaux, passed through the forest where he lives, he was warned against Oberon by a hermit, but his courtesy had him answer Oberon's greetings, and so gain his aid in his quest: having killed Charlot, the Emperor's son, in self-defense, Huon must visit the court of the amir of Babylon and perform various feats to win a pardon, and only with Oberon's aid does he succeed. The chansons de geste, Old French for songs of heroic deeds, are the epic poetry that appears at the dawn of French literature. ... Huon of Bordeaux is the title character of a 13th century French romance (chanson de geste). ... Enchanted Forest entrance The Enchanted Forest is a now-closed theme park in Ellicott City, Maryland, on U.S. Highway 40 near the intersection with Bethany Lane. ... Onuphrius lived as a hermit in the desert of Upper Egypt in the late 4th century A hermit (from the Greek erēmos, signifying desert, uninhabited, hence desert-dweller) is a person who lives to some greater or lesser degree in seclusion and/or isolation from society. ... This article is about the word, for other meanings see Quest (disambiguation) A quest is a journey towards a goal with great meaning and is used in mythology and literature as a plot device. ... The Holy Roman Emperor was, with some variation, the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, the predecessor of modern Germany, during its existence from the 10th century until its collapse in 1806. ... Emir (also sometimes rendered as Amir or Ameer, Arabic commander) is a title of nobility historically used in Islamic nations of the Middle East and North Africa. ... Babylon was a city in Mesopotamia, the ruins of which can be found in present-day Babil Province, Iraq, about 50 miles south of Baghdad. ...

This elf appears dwarfish in height, though very handsome; he explains that at his christening, an offended fairy cursed him to the height (the first wicked fairy godmother), but relented and as compensation gave him great beauty. As Alberich features as a dwarf in the Nibelungen, the dwarfish height was thus explained. ^[1]

The real Seguin was Count of Bordeaux under Louis the Pious in 839, and died fighting against the Normans in 845. Charles l'Enfant, a son of Charles the Bald, died in 866 of wounds inflicted by a certain Aubouin in the circumstances of an ambush similar to the Charlot of the story. Thus Oberon appears in a 13th century French courtly fantasy that is based on a shred of 9th century fact. He is given some Celtic trappings, such as a magical cup (similar to the Holy Grail) that is ever-full for the virtuous: "The magic cup supplied their evening meal; for such was its virtue that it afforded not only wine, but more solid fare when desired" according to Thomas Bulfinch. In this story he is said to be the child of Morgan le Fay and Julius Caesar. Louis the Pious, contemporary depiction from 826 as a miles Christi (soldier of Christ), with a poem of Rabanus Maurus overlaid. ... Norman conquests in red. ... Charles the Child (in the Latin of the Annales Bertiniani, Karolus puer) (c. ... Charles the Bald - Detail from a painting in the First Bible of Charles the Bald, painted ca. ... In Christian mythology, the Holy Grail was the dish, plate, or cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper, said to possess miraculous powers. ... Thomas Bulfinch (July 15, 1796 - May 27, 1867) was an American writer, born in Newton, Massachusetts to a highly-educated but not rich Bostonian merchant family. ... Morgan le Fay, by Anthony Frederick Sandys (1829 - 1904), 1864 (Birmingham Art Gallery): A spell-brewing Morgaine distinctly of Tennysons generation Morgaine redirects here. ... Gāius Jūlius Caesar (IPA: ;[1]), July 12 or July 13, 100 BC – March 15, 44 BC) was a Roman military and political leader and one of the most influential men in world history. ...

A manuscript of the romance in the city of Turin contains a prologue to the story of Huon de Bordeaux in the shape of a separate romance of Auberon, and four sequels, and there are later French versions as well. Turin (Italian: ; Piedmontese: Turin) is a major industrial city as well as a business and cultural center in northwest Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the west bank of the Po River. ...

Shakespeare saw or heard of the French heroic song, through the ca 1540 translation of John Bourchier, Lord Berners, called Huon of Burdeuxe. In Philip Henslowe's diary there is a note of a performance of a play, Hewen of Burdocize, on December 28, 1593. Philip Henslowe (c 1550 - January 6, 1616) was an Elizabethan theatrical entrepreneur. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... December 28 is the 362nd day of the year (363rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 3 days remaining. ... Events May 18 - Playwright Thomas Kyds accusations of heresy lead to an arrest warrant for Christopher Marlowe. ...

Other historical references

In 1610, Ben Jonson wrote a masque of Oberon, the Fairy Prince. It was performed by Henry Frederick Stuart, the Prince of Wales, at the English court on New Year's Day, 1611. Benjamin Jonson (circa June 11, 1572 – August 6, 1637) was an English Renaissance dramatist, poet and actor. ... Costume for a Knight, by Inigo Jones: the plumed helmet, the heroic torso in armour and other conventions were still employed for opera seria in the 18th century. ... For other people known as Henry, Prince of Wales see Henry, Prince of Wales (disambiguation) Henry Frederick Stuart, Prince of Wales ( February 19, 1594 - November 6, 1612) was the eldest son of King James VI of Scotland/ James I of England and Anne of Denmark. ...

In 1826, Carl Maria von Weber's opera, Oberon, or the Elf-King's Oath (written after a poem by Christoph Martin Wieland) debuted at Covent Garden in London. Carl Maria von Weber Carl Maria Friedrich Ernst, Freiherr von Weber (November 18, 1786 in Eutin, Holstein – June 5, 1826 in London, England) was a German composer. ... Christoph Martin Wieland (September 5, 1733 _ January 20, 1813), was a German poet and writer. ... The Floral Hall of the Royal Opera House The Royal Opera House is a performing arts venue in London. ...

In the four operas of 1854 to 1874 by Richard Wagner, The Ring of the Nibelung, his role evolves in the opposite direction and he winds up stealing the Rhinemaidens' gold. The Teatro alla Scala in Milan. ... Richard Wagner Wilhelm Richard Wagner (May 22, 1813 – February 13, 1883) was an influential German composer, conductor, music theorist, and essayist, primarily known for his operas (or music dramas as he later came to call them). ... Valkyrie Warrior Maiden by artist Arthur Rackham (1912) Der Ring des Nibelungen, commonly translated into English as The Ring of the Nibelung or The Nibelungs Ring, is a series of four epic music dramas based loosely on figures and elements of Germanic paganism, particularly from the Icelanders sagas and... Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold) is the first of the four operas that comprise Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung), by Richard Wagner. ...

Notably, the name Oberon was also chosen for Uranus outernmost natural satellite in 1847, as an homage to William Shakespeare and his literary character. Atmospheric pressure 0 kPa Oberon (oe-bur-on) is the outermost of the major moons of the planet Uranus. ... Adjective Uranian Atmospheric characteristics Atmospheric pressure 120 kPa (at the cloud level) Hydrogen 83% Helium 15% Methane 1. ... 1847 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ...

Modern references

• Oberon, with Titania, provides the characters of A Midsummer Tempest, by Poul Anderson, with magical assistance.
• In 2000, the series Lexx portrayed Oberon in the episode 4.11: A Midsummer's Nightmare.
• Oberon was also a guest character in an episode of Pokey the Penguin.
• In The Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny, Oberon is the King of Amber and the father of all of the princes in the series
• In the Warlock series of Christopher Stasheff, Oberon (alias Brom O'Berin) is the half-human King of Elves on the planet Gramarye, but poses as the Royal Fool to influence the human kingdom. He is also the father-in-law of the titular Warlock.
• In the middle-grade novel The Revenge of the Shadow King, by Derek Benz and J.S. Lewis, Oberon appears in the title role of the all-powerful and malevolent king of the Land of Faerie.
• References to Oberon & Titania appear as two of the mortal names given to the King and Queen of Faerie in Raymond E. Feist's 1988 fantasy novel, Faerie Tale.
• Oberon was a character appearing in Disney's Gargoyles as the ruler of the mystical Avalon and "king" of the Third Race. Also seen in Gargoyles is the Shakespearean trickster Puck.
• Oberon has appeared in the comic books Sandman, Hellboy, and The Books of Magic.
• Oberon, along with his wife Titania, appears in the Nickelodeon show Fairly OddParents
• Oberon appears in Nickelodeon Fairly OddParents video games
• The sword Firebrand in the video game Castlevania:Symphony of the Night's information is 'Fire sword of Oberon'
• Oberon has also appeared in the novel Magic Street by Orson Scott Card.
• In David A McIntee's 1999 Doctor Who novel Autumn Mist, Oberon, the King of the fairie-like Sidhe, takes his name from the Shakespearean character
• In the Playstation 2 title Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne by Atlus, one of the attainable demons is Oberon. The game states that his wife is Titania, and a curse set upon him at childhood has stunted his growth.
• Kalamazoo Brewing Company (Bell's Brewery, Inc.)'s most popular brew,an American wheat ale, is named Oberon.
• King Auberon Quin is the elven monarch of London in G. K. Chesterton's novel, "The Napoleon of Notting Hill" (1904)
• WW's Titania entry (2006)
• In John Crowely's 1981 fantasy novel Little, Big, Auberon is the name of one of the principle characters, the son of Smokey Barnable and Daily Alice Drinkwater.
• Oberon is mentioned by name in the song "Hollow Hills" by Bauhaus. The song references burial mounds similar to the Barrow-downs in The Lord of the Rings.
• In several novels by fantasy author Mercedes Lackey Oberon is the King of the Light Court of the Sidhe (elves), and the most powerful of the elven mages.
• In the novel Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Oberon is mentioned as being the overlord of The Raven King John Uskglass' fairy kingdom.

A Midsummer Tempest is an alternate history fantasy novel by Poul Anderson. ... Poul William Anderson (November 25, 1926 – July 31, 2001) was a prolific science fiction author of the genres Golden Age; some of his short stories were first published using the pseudonyms A. A. Craig, Michael Karageorge, and Winston P. Sanders. Poul Anderson also wrote fantasy such as the King... It has been suggested that The Cluster be merged into this article or section. ... This Lexx episode begins with Stanley H. Tweedle & Kai transporting Zevs corpse to The Feast of Mograth in order to have her reanimated. ... Pokey the Penguin is a surrealistic online comic strip, which began in 1998 and continues to be updated (albeit sporadically). ... Nine Princes in Amber The Chronicles of Amber is a popular fantasy series by Roger Zelazny. ... Roger Joseph Zelazny (May 13, 1937 – June 14, 1995) was an American writer of fantasy and science fiction short stories and novels. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Cover The Revenge of the Shadow King is the first volume in the Grey Griffins Book series written by American authors Derek Benz and J.S. Lewis, published by Orchard Books, an imprint of Scholastic Inc. ... Derek Benz (left) and co-author, J.S. Lewis (right) Derek Benz (born October 27) is an American author of childrens fantasy. ... J.S. Lewis Jon Samuel Lewis (born May 15, 1972 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is a fiction writer who writes under the pen name J.S. Lewis. ... Raymond E. Feist (born 1945, Los Angeles, California) is an American author, mostly specialising in fantasy fiction. ... Walt Disney Television Animation is the animated television production division of The Walt Disney Company. ... Gargoyles logo Gargoyles is an acclaimed animated series created and produced by Greg Weisman that aired from October 24, 1994 to 1997. ... In the fictional universe of the animated series Gargoyles, the name Oberons children is given to the so-called Third Race of beings (the other two being humans and gargoyles). ... Puck, also known as Robin Goodfellow, is a character in William Shakespeares play A Midsummer Nights Dream. ... The Sandman was a comic book series written by Neil Gaiman and published by DC Comics for 75 issues from 1988 until 1996. ... It has been suggested that Right_Hand_of_Doom be merged into this article or section. ... Cover for the Italian edition of the series The Books of Magic is the title of four-issue comic book miniseries written by Neil Gaiman, and later an ongoing series, published by the DC Comics imprint Vertigo. ... Oberon can mean: Oberon, in Arthurian Legend the King of the Fairies, most famous from William Shakespeares play, A Midsummer Nights Dream. ... This article is about the TV channel. ... The Fairly OddParents is one of the most popular cartoons on Nickelodeon The Fairly OddParents is an animated series created by Butch Hartman and was first aired in March 30, 2001. ... This article is about the TV channel. ... The Fairly OddParents is one of the most popular cartoons on Nickelodeon The Fairly OddParents is an animated series created by Butch Hartman and was first aired in March 30, 2001. ... This article is about computer and video games. ... The word Firebrand has several uses: A type of burnable wood Firebrand is the American name for Red Arremer, a character in Capcom video games. ... Namcos Pac-Man was a hit, and became a cultural phenomenon. ... It has been suggested that Castlevania recurrences be merged into this article or section. ... Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (commonly abbreviated SotN) is an action-adventure game developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo and published by Konami for the PlayStation in 1997. ... Orson Scott Card (born August 24, 1951)[1] is a prolific and best-selling author, working in numerous genres. ... The PlayStation 2 (PS2) ) is Sonys second video game console, the successor to the PlayStation and the predecessor to the PlayStation 3. ... Atlus is a Japanese computer and video game developer and publisher. ... Kalamazoo Brewing Company is a microbrewery in Kalamazoo, Michigan. ... Bells Brewery, Inc. ... Gilbert Keith Chesterton (May 29, 1874–June 14, 1936) was an influential English writer of the early 20th century. ... John Crowley (born December 1, 1942 in Presque Isle, Maine) is an American author of fantasy, science fiction and mainstream fiction. ... Little, Big (ISBN 0553373978) is a novel by John Crowley, published in 1981. ... Bauhaus is a British rock band formed in Northampton in 1978. ... location of Barrow-downs in Middle-earth marked in red In J. R. R. Tolkiens legendarium, the Barrow-downs or Tyrn Gorthad were a series of low hills east of the Shire, behind the Old Forest, and west of the village of Bree. ... The Lord of the Rings is an epic high fantasy novel written by English academic J. R. R. Tolkien. ... Black version of the hardcover edition. ... It has been suggested that Trooping fairies be merged into this article or section. ...

References

1. ^ Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, Hobgoblins, Brownies, Boogies, and Other Supernatural Creatures, "Huon de Bordeaux", p227. ISBN 0-394-73467-X

Katharine Mary Briggs (November 8, 1898 – 1980) is the author of The Anatomy of Puck, the definitive 4-volume Dictionary of British Folk-Tales, and various other books on fairies and folklore. ...

External link

• Encyclopaedia Britannica 1911: "Huon de Bordeaux" "Oberon"

Thomas Bulfinch, Age of Fable vol. IV retells the chanson of Huon de Bordeaux