In "A Midsummer Night's Dream," William Shakespeare emphasizes the swift passage of time through the lines, "Four days will quickly steep themselves in nights; Four nights will quickly dream away the time." This suggests that time can blend seamlessly into the night, making days seem fleeting as they transition into restful dreams. The notion conveys how the hustle of life can overshadow moments, leading to a swift and almost unnoticed passage of time.

Shakespeare’s portrayal of time reflects the play’s themes of love, reality, and illusion. The characters' experiences within the enchanted forest depict how their perceptions shift and warp, mirroring the idea that time can slip away quietly, just like dreams. This interplay of time and rest evokes a contemplation of how emotions and experiences can alter our understanding of reality, making time seem both expansive and ephemeral.