The author presents a thoughtful, absorbing account of symbolism in Shakespeare, particularly as expressed in his interest in the "color, form and sound" of words. She points out the unconscious links between puns and dreamwork, and demonstrates how a careful study of Shakespeare's rich use of language gives us a far deeper perspective on the psychological meaning of the plays. Rubenstein enriches her paper with fruitful examples from her book, A Dictionary of Shakespeare's Sexual Puns and Their Significance. She also addresses the resistance aroused by the concept of literary symbolism and how this often dissuades the otherwise serious scholar from producing a penetrating study.