If a monster attacks in a forest, does it take a click?

While playing Don't Starve, I occasionally find myself doing battle in a forest - usually while killing Spiders for their luscious silk and glands. The trouble comes when I'm wielding a weapon, and my character would rather discuss the local flora than actually attack the spider that's trying to carve me into steaks.

Specifically, when I'm trying to click on a partially-concealed spider to attack, or else click elsewhere so I can run away terribly fast, I accidentally click on a tree. This makes Wilson tell me that trees are piney — and then take damage from the spider that's chasing him. Is there a way to issue commands so that I attack the nearest critter or move to a location, to prevent the sorts of mistakes that get me killed?

You can avoid most of this problem by using the keyboard.

Instead of moving with the mouse, use the WASD keys, especially in a cluttered environment. During a fight, you can hold the F key. This will cause you to automatically move towards and attack the nearest enemy.