These
opposing forces are mythologically based, an interesting blend of the faerie
and Norse mythology. The fae—as they are also known—hold a summer and winter
court, which informs on the seasons of the series.
The two
courts are each ruled by a queen, popularized by Shakespeare’s plays A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet. In these we meet Queen
Titania of the summer court, and a reference to Queen Maab, the sovereign of
the winter court. These two courts struggle with one another for ascendancy,
but it’s always inevitable that one gives way to another as the seasons
progress.