The Importance of Magic and Myth in "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

While reading "A Midsummer Night's Dream" as the play progressed (especially by Act II) it became clear that magic and myth would be used widely throughout the play.  However, when looking at the love triangle between the characters and their conflicts, it is clear that the magical elements were not absolutely necessary in order to develop the plot.  Thus, one must ask themselves why Shakespeare would introduce magic into his play when he could have easily wrote the play without such elements.

To me, the magic is absolutely necessary because it helps create a dream like atmosphere where everything is possible.  In a way, he uses words and images that will make the audience feel as if the magic is effecting them as well, making the play more real.  The fairies in the play help add a fate like element to events that are happening in the play and contribute to this dream like mood.  For instance Oberon  helps conjure us images of magic when he says:
"
"A mermaid on a dolphin's back
Uttering such dulcet and harmonious breath
That the rude sea grew civil at her song
And certain stars shot madly from their spheres
To hear the sea-maid's music
(Act II.i. lines150-154)

This quote, along with many others make the stage bigger and takes the imaginations of the audience to celestial levels.  It helps them realize that powerful forces are at work, but powerful though they be, they are what brings beauty and purpose to everything else.

So why is it so important for Shakespeare to utilize this dream like mood where magic is everywhere?  To me, it is because he wants to show that love is a grand form of magic that had purpose and beauty woven from greater forces.  He is using magic as a way to attack the notion that love is nothing more than chemical shooting through the brain.  In a way, he is making love more real and have greater value.  The fairies are put into place because they are the tool to help bring that magic into the love triangle that develops in the play.  While Puck does mess up and delivers the love potion to Lysander instead of Demetrius, this is only done by Shakespeare to add a comedic element to the play.  In the end, the most important thing is that love as portrayed by Shakespeare in the play, is a powerful force in the universe that goes beyond natural chemicals firing from the brain.  Thus, he makes love more authentic and vital to the play.