| “ | I am Oberon, High King of the Fae, ruler of Fairyland. This Lady is Titania, one of my queens. I have returned to claim my own. And if intruders do not leave my realm, then they may stay as part of it. | „ |
| ~ Oberon. |
Oberon is the High King of the Fae, a classification of magical beings, which come from the Fairyland, a realm separate from the Human Realm.
Overview[]
Oberon is the high king of the Fae and the husband of both Titania and Mab, the high queens of the Fae. He rules over the moonlight, dreams and all fairy rites. Some depictions say he is in charge of only the Seelie Court, but other depictions make him the leader of the entire fairyland. Unlike most of the Fae, he does not need targets of his magic to see or hear him for it to be effective. Even with reduced power, or when physically weakened, he is still a very powerful and formidable opponent. Because of such power, he tends to be very arrogant, impudent, and very short-tempered, although he has shown a generous and noble side to himself and is willing to compromise.
Oberon rules over the realm of Fairyland, having the highest authority, surpassing even his wives, within the Fae Tribunal. The tribunal acts as a council of fairies separated into three courts that judge and condemn any being they find guilty. Oberon is described as a benevolent being by the fairies, although others state that is quite malicious when a certain incident affects the well being of his kingdom and people.
It is not known if Oberon leads this tribunal, and his actual power, abilities, origin and appearance have not been revealed nor known to the humans. But seeing that he is the lord of the fae of the Fairyland, there is no doubt that he is the one whom ultimately decides the fate of the accused after the council reach a decision. Oberon was revealed to have aided in the construction of the legendary sword Excalibur.
He is best known as a character in William Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream, in which he is King of the fairies and spouse of Titania, Queen of the fairies.
Merlin informed the two fairy monarchs of a vision he received regarding the threat both Morgan Le Fay and Vortigern posed to Great Briton and by extension the realm of the Fae. As such, Oberon and Titania conspired with Merlin to construct a great weapon wielded by the Pendragon bloodline to oppose Vortigern's rule and Morgan Le Fay's darkness. By the time Excalibur was completed with the combined efforts Oberon, Merlin and the archangel Gabriel, it was given to the latest king of the Pendragon family. At some point when Uther was slain by Vortigern, Arthur was saved by fairies sent by Titania and placed him Londinium.
Appearance[]
Although he has the face of a handsome young man, a curse that he received shortly after birth has made him no taller than a young child. However, the curse gives him eternal beauty. As one of the stronger members of the Fae, Oberon is able to shift his form without much restrictions.
In one of Oberon's appearances, he has a mostly humanoid form with the exception of his deer horns and deer hooves, which make him resemble a satyr. He is 165cm tall and possesses fair skin, yellow eyes and long, bushy, dark green hair that reaches beyond his back. Another appearance is that of a tall, haughty, aristocratic figure in royal garb, with white hair, blue skin, and elvish features.
Personality[]
Oberon is described as a benevolent being by the Fae, although others state that he is quite malicious when a certain incident affects the well being of his kingdom and people. He deeply cares for his people and the well-being of his kingdom, willing to do whatever means necessary to ensure their safety, a quality he shares with Titania. He is polite and sometimes even friendly towards humans that gained his trust and respect, however, he can be a selfish, short-tempered ruler, often falling in love and flirting with human women, only to be restrained by his consorts Titania and Mab. It is said that when Oberon is angry, his rage affects the very weather and causes nature to fall into discord. He usually knows more than he shows.
However Oberon, like most of the Fae, holds some type of resentment towards humans, but when faced with a threat that threatens both of their realms and livelihoods he is willing to work with them towards a common goal .Merlin, however, says that Oberon is rather difficult to sway to serve a greater cause. He was distrustful of strangers for the most part, although he had business dealings with few elder races like the Daoine Sídhe or even mortals like the Britons. He was mostly unconcerned with affairs of the world beyond the Fairyland unless a common enemy was shared, for trade or his arch-enemy Absalom in involved in some way.
Although he has benevolent qualities, Oberon can be quite arrogant. He insists that his word is law even if his word supersedes with that of his queens which often leads to arguments between the three. His arrogance is first shown when he originally placed his seat of power by the core of the realm, the divine core which holds the realm of the Fairyland all together, and wears a crown of golden leaves and branches displaying the light of the heavens, fashioned into a gem containing the light of existence.
He does what he pleases and will not tolerate interference with his plans. But he is not a complete tyrant. He forbade his subjects to meddle in the lives of mortals out of comparative maturity, and although he himself does not always live up to such standards himself, he still takes them fairly seriously. He can be generous to his adversaries, and does abide by the letter of his law, if not always the spirit of it.
Moreover, despite being king consort to Titania, Oberon is not above infidelity with other beings. He has fathered children with other powerful high fae, even mortals whom he holds high resentment towards. Oberon has at one point been compared to Zeus in terms of infidelity and a lust towards beautiful maidens though Puck insists that Oberon is not nearly as bad as Zeus. Surprisingly, and hypocritically, Oberon becomes enraged when Titania and Mab consorts with others as well. This often leads to arguments between the two high rulers of Avalon with Geralt remarking that even immortals are no different when it comes to marital issues.
Oberon can also appear playful and teasing, in which his wives finds him an annoyance in front of others. He also seems to take pleasure when he is beaten. There are glimpses where he is more cruel, but quickly he returns to a carefree demeanor.
Powers and Abilities[]
Oberon is one of the most powerful magical beings in the Fairyland, if not the strongest. He is an incredibly powerful fairy, far surpassing the other Fae, his power only served to make him more dangerous and he easily defeated those that stood in his way. He possesses many of the powers inherent to fairies but however, as the king of the fae, many of these attributes are significantly superior than those possessed by the majority of his race.
It is said that when Oberon is angry, his rage affects the very weather and causes nature to fall into discord. Considering that he is the king and supposed creator of all fairies, as well as the designer of many powerful magical items known to the kingdom of the fairies, Oberon is quite possibly an immensely powerful being. He has also displayed a vast repertoire of magical powers.
Oberon's abilities often have his people liken him to a deity, surpasses the the elves themselves who are seen as transcendent demigods. His power is evident in where it is passed down to his children who present themselves as being difficult challenges for immensely skilled warriors.
- Wings: As a fairy, Oberon is able to manifest and un-manifest fairy wings.
- Shapeshifting: Oberon is able to alter his size.
- Atmokinesis: Oberon has the power of weather manipulation.
- Telepathy: He also has limited telepathic abilities.
- Empathy: He also has limited empathic abilities.
- Magical Knowledge: Oberon possesses skills and abilities in mystics and magics.
- Skilled Combatant: Oberon is a skilled unarmed combatant.
- Leadership: As the high king of the fairies, Oberon possessed great leadership skills.
- Intellect: Due to his age and wisdom, Oberon is a gifted intellect.
History[]
Creation of Excalibur[]
Merlin had informed Oberon of a vision he received regarding the threat both Lucius Tiberius and Vortigern posed to Great Briton and by extension the realm of the Fae. As such, Oberon and Titania conspired with Merlin to construct a great weapon wielded by the Pendragon bloodline to oppose Vortigern's rule and Lucius Tiberius' darkness. By the time Excalibur was completed with the combined efforts Oberon, Merlin and the true archangel Gabriel, it was given to the latest king of the Pendragon family who had already died. At some point before its completion when Uther was prisoned by Morgan Le Fay in retribution, Arthur was saved by Merlin who placed him in Londinium.
A Midsummer Night's Dream[]
Oberon is feuding with his wife Titania over a changeling child that Oberon wants to raise as his henchman. Titania wants to keep the child because he is the child of Titania's Indian mortal follower who died, and she wants to raise the child for her follower. Because Oberon and Titania are powerful fairies, their arguments affect the weather.
Furious that Titania will not give him the child, he tricks her into giving him the child by using a juice from a magical flower into her eyes while she is asleep that will cause Titania to fall in love with the first thing she sees. Oberon sends his servant, Puck, to fetch the flower, which he does successfully. The flower was accidentally struck by Cupid's arrow when he attempted to shoot a young maiden in a field, instead infusing the flower with love. When it is done, Titania awakens and finds herself madly in love with Bottom, a weaver that has been given a donkey's head by Puck.
Meanwhile, two couples have entered the forest: lovers Hermia and Lysander are pursued by Demetrius, who also loves Hermia, and Helena, who loves Demetrius. Oberon witnesses Demetrius rejecting Helena, admires her amorous determination, and decides to help her. Oberon sends Puck to put some of the juice in Demetrius's eyes to make him fall in love with Helena, after he witnesses him rejecting her.
When Puck puts the love potion on Lysander by mistake, and then on Demetrius, Helena finds herself loved by two men, and confusion breaks out. Oberon is furious with Puck and casts a sleeping spell on the forest, making Puck reverse the potion on Lysander, admonishing Puck to not reverse the effects on Demetrius. Both couples awake and begin the journey back to Athens.
After Puck straightens out what he has done, and Demetrius discovers that he is really in love with Helena after all, Oberon looks upon Titania and her lover, Bottom, and feels sorry for what he has done. He reverses the spell using a magic herb. When she wakes, she is confused, thinking that she had a dream. Oberon explains that the dream was real and the two reunite happily. They then return to Athens in the epilogue to bless the couples, becoming once again the benevolent fairy king and queen.
Alien Attack[]
When the alien forces from another galaxy invaded the Fairyland, Oberon personally joined his army in fighting against the invading force.
Myths and Legends[]
Oberon's status as king of the fairies comes from the character of Alberich (from Old High German alb- "elf" and -rîh-, "ruler", "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 Siegfried.
The character of Oberon was derived largely from Lord Berners's prose translation of the medieval French poem Huon de Bordeaux, though it is also indebted to the story of Zeus in Greek mythology.
French heroic Song[]
The name Oberon is first attested to in the early 13th century chanson de geste entitled Les Prouesses et faitz du noble Huon de Bordeaux, wherein it refers to an elven man of the forest encountered by the eponymous hero. Huon, son of Seguin count of Bordeaux, passed through the forest inhabited by Oberon. He was warned by a hermit not to speak to Oberon, but his courtesy had him answer Oberon's greetings, and so gain his aid in his quest. Huon had killed Charlot, the Emperor's son, in self-defense, and so he must visit the court of the amir of Babylon and perform various feats to win a pardon. He succeeds only with Oberon's aid.
This elf is dwarfish in height, though very handsome. He explains that, at his christening, an offended fairy cursed him to dwarfish height (an example of the wicked fairy godmother folklore motif) but relented and gave him great beauty as compensation. Alberich features as a dwarf in the Nibelungen; the dwarfish height was thus explained.
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 or the Cornucopia) 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.
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.
Shakespeare saw or heard of the French heroic song through the c. 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 28 December 1593.
Quotes[]
- "Such is the nature of evil. Out there in the vast ignorance of the world it festers and spreads. A shadow that grows in the dark. A sleepless malice as black as the oncoming wall of night. So it ever was. So will it always be. In time all foul things come forth." - Oberon.
- "Oberon is the old High King of the fae and former ruler of the Seelie Court. Despite having officially entered "retirement" for several centuries or so, his command still has immense authority over the fair-folk and Fairyland as a whole." - Matt Wright.
- "Away in the south, a king sees his kingdom dies... Oberon, king of elves and fairies, songs and legends, just wants to come back to his crystal throne... far away from the violence and destruction."
- "This is Oberon, the mystic, the willful. Oberon is an adept and honorable warrior, are you?" - A Dragon speaking about Oberon.
- "We are minded to be generous. You may have one hour to remove yourselves from our domain." - Oberon to a group of humans
- "Dare you try to make me look foolish, mortals?! On your heads, be it!"
- "And so the hunt is over. Time to claim my wife."
- "I want the boy and I want him now!" - Oberon to Titania over the changeling child.
- "Finally, all the nuisances have been eliminated." - Oberon after taking out a Brood.
- "Do you really think a stone fist will stop me, human?"
- "You are eternally banished from Fairyland, Puck, never again will you sample its paradise. We strip you of all your powers, save you are protecting or teaching the boy." - Oberon to Puck.
- "Come, my queen. Never before have I so badly desired departure." - Oberon after reversing a spell on Titania.
- "If I had known Shakespeare would make a mockery of a play that would haunt me for ages to come, I would think twice before "breaking up" with him through raven-delivered scroll. But hey, the past is past. The play is already globally known. My name already became attached to it. There's nothing I can do about it now." - Oberon.
- "Listen Halcyonae. This thing is dangerous. Much more dangerous than anything your fey could handle, especially after the several wars you've just fought. Rest, son of fil-Alvätor. I will handle everything from here." - Michael.
- "Therefore the winds, piping to us in vain,
As in revenge, have suck'd up from the sea
Contagious fogs; which falling in the land
Have every pelting river made so proud
That they have overborne their continents:
The ox hath therefore stretch'd his yoke in vain,
The ploughman lost his sweat, and the green corn
Hath rotted ere his youth attain'd a beard;
The fold stands empty in the drowned field,
And crows are fatted with the murrion flock;
The nine men's morris is fill'd up with mud,
And the quaint mazes in the wanton green
For lack of tread are undistinguishable:
The human mortals want their winter here;
No night is now with hymn or carol blest:
Therefore the moon, the governess of floods,
Pale in her anger, washes all the air,
That rheumatic diseases do abound:
And thorough this distemperature we see
The seasons alter: hoary-headed frosts
Far in the fresh lap of the crimson rose,
And on old Hiems' thin and icy crown
An odorous chaplet of sweet summer buds
Is, as in mockery, set: the spring, the summer,
The childing autumn, angry winter, change
Their wonted liveries, and the mazed world,
By their increase, now knows not which is which:
And this same progeny of evils comes
From our debate, from our dissension;
We are their parents and original." - Titania describing nature when they argue.
Gallery[]
_(14729845086).jpg "Shakespeare's comedy of A midsummer-night's dream (1914) (14729845086).jpg (752 KB)")
_from_Wisdom_Vol_1_1_0001.jpg "Oberon (Earth-616) from Wisdom Vol 1 1 0001.jpg (449 KB)")
Trivia[]
- Oberon doesn't like Shakespeare's interpretation of A Midsummer Night's Dream as it made him seem more antagonistic than he truly is.
- Oberon and Titania are said to have once lived in India, and they would cross the sea to Europe at night to dance in the moonlight.
- In some stories, specifically in "Huon of Bordeaux," it is said that he is the son of Morgan le Fey and Julius Caesar, believed to have been born some time after Caesar's defeat of Pompey.
- The name Oberon means "noble" and "bear-like".
Image Sources[]
- (Fairy King Oberon.jpg) Fairy King by hellcorpceo
- (Joseph Noel Paton - The Reconciliation of Titania and Oberon.jpg) The Reconciliation of Oberon and Titania by Joseph Noel Paton
- (Shakespeare's comedy of A midsummer-night's dream (1914) (14729845086).jpg) Illustration of Oberon enchanting Titania by W. Heath Robinson
- (King Oberon.jpg) King Oberon by Nick Corbell
- (This went wrong somewhere.jpg) This went wrong somewhere by hellcorpceo
- (Oberon GENZOMAN.jpg) Oberon by GENZOMAN
- (Oberon King of the Fairies.jpg) Oberon by YunaXD
- (Oberon knight of fading flowers by auberjean d9c8ws4-fullview.jpg) Oberon, knight of fading flowers by AuberJean
- (Mitos leyendas Oberon.png) Oberon by JPdonaire
- (Oberon meronichan.png) Oberon by meronichan
- (Davide-castelluccio-oberon-wip-x-mail-5.jpg) Oberon the king of fairies by Davide Castelluccio
- (Maxime-guillemin-oberon-final.jpg) Oberon by Maxime Blastrider
- (Oberon and titania by jurithedreamer dcyn8kz-fullview.jpg) Oberon and Titania by jurithedreamer
- (Oberon and titania by bobgreyvenstein dard1kv-fullview.jpg) Oberon and Titania by bobgreyvenstein
- (Warframe Oberon.jpg) Oberon Poster 2 by Voltiac-Sev
- (Royalty of the woods oberon n titania warframe by darikaart da0iwju-fullview.jpg) Royalty of the Woods - Oberon n Titania [Warframe] by DarikaArt
- (Oberon feyarch by kevin glint dbl1eex-fullview.jpg) Oberon Feyarch by Kevin-Glint
- (Sop-pirx-oberon-feiarkf1-3.jpg) Oberon Feyarch by Sop402
- (OberonSMT.jpg) Oberon from Shin Megami Tensei
- (541 - Oberon.jpg) Oberon's artwork from Kaneko Works Vol. 3
- (OberonSH.jpg) Oberon's artwork from Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
- (Oberon.jpg) Oberon from DemiKids Light / Dark Version
- (Oberon (Earth-616) from Wisdom Vol 1 1 0001.jpg) Oberon (Earth-616) from Wisdom Vol 1 1
- (Oberon.Concept.Anime.png) Oberon's anime artwork from The Ancient Magus Bride
- (Oberon Gargoyles.jpg) Oberon from Gargoyles
- (Oberon-Human.png) Oberon's human form from Gargoyles