Question: Who is Queen Mab, mentioned by Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, 1.4. Is she
an original character from Shakespeare, or did she come from another source?
Answer: Shakespeare's reference to Queen Mab, the well-known fairy in Celtic (Irish) folklore -- famous centuries before Shakespeare -- was the first known reference to her in English literature. After Shakespeare introduced Mab the Fairy Queen to English poets, she became much loved. P.B. Shelley wrote a poem in nine cantos called Queen Mab in 1813. Please click here for more on Queen Mab.
How to cite this article:
Mabillard, Amanda. Examination Questions on Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare Online. 10 Aug. 2005. (date when you accessed the information) < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/romeoandjuliet/questions/whoismab.html >.
