Also known as robin goodfellow, puck would have been familiar to a sixteenthcentury english audience, who would have recognized him as a common household spirit also often. Puck also known as robin goodfellow is a mischievous fairy who loves to play practical jokes and can take them too far sometimes. Every book on your english syllabus summed up in a quote from the office. Register to read the introduction he is the singlemost important person in the play. My character analysis introduction and puck, a hobgoblin in oberon s service. Michael hoffman s 1999 film version of a midsummer night s dream transports the drama s action from ancient athens to an imaginary italian village named monte athena at the turn of the nineteenth century. A midsummer nights dream amazonclassics edition kindle edition by shakespeare, william. In this rendition of the play, duke theseus isnt a conquering hero but a tired and seemingly ineffectual bureaucrat. The trickster is definitely one of my favorite archetypal characters, and i find myself connecting to manifestations of the trickster whenever he appears in a book. He lectured for six years on theater studies at stratforduponavon college in the u. The role and character of puck, or robin goodfellow, in a midsummer nights dream, is not only entertaining but quite useful.
Darryl chancey the role and character of puck, or robin goodfellow, in a midsummer nights dream, is not only entertaining but quite useful. Character analysis of puck ambre smith considered one of william shakespeares greatest plays, a midsummer nights dream reads like a fantastical, imaginative tale. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading a midsummer nights dream amazonclassics edition. Puck is a mischievous, humorous, and quickwitted fairy who serves king oberon. William shakespeare seems to have created the character of puck from his own childhood. Puck, also known as robin goodfellow, is a character in william shakespeares play a.
It s no wonder that literary critic marjorie garber describes puck as the principal actor and agent in a world of enchantment, magic, music, and mischief. Midsummer nights dream character analysis 1162 words cram. Through puck s mischievous, quick witted, pranks, and transformations, he triggers the most memorable moments in shakespeare s play a midsummer night s dream. Unlike pucks subtle humor, nick bottoms is very overt. A midsummera midsummer nights dreamnights dream a comedy by william shakespearea comedy by william shakespeare ms.
Darryl chancey the role and character of puck, or robin goodfellow, in a midsummer night s dream, is not only entertaining but quite useful. It is completely in the language of the bard, with pfeiffer as the fairy queen and kline as the one turned into her evening s lover with donkey ears. Character analysis in a midsummer night s dream robin goodfellow puck. A midsummer nights dream is not only the title of this play but the overall theme as well. His antics and his sense of humor inject a midsummer night s dream with a playful and topsyturvy spirit that creates much of the play s fun atmosphere. With its multilayered examination of love and its vagaries, it has long been one of the most popular of his plays.
A midsummer nights dream is shakespeares comedy about two couples in love with the wrong partners, and how they are finally brought together rightly, thanks in part to the bungling work of puck. The character of puck in a midsummer nights dream essay cram. Character analysis of puck literature essay samples. The characters of oberon and titania play an essential role in a midsummer nights dream. In this lesson, you will learn who puck is, and what his role is in shakespeares play, a midsummer nights dream. Wikipedia semiprotected pages articles with short description engvarb from april 2018 use dmy dates from.
The character of puck in a midsummer nights dream considered one of william shakespeares greatest plays, a midsummer nights dream reads like a fantastical, imaginative tale. The story is about four lovers hermia, helena, lysander, and demetrius. Michael hoffmans 1999 film version of a midsummer nights dream transports the dramas action from ancient athens to an imaginary italian village named monte athena at the turn of the nineteenth century. Puck is a minor character whose presence makes a difference in keeping ones attention. Through pucks mischievous, quick witted, pranks, and transformations, he triggers the most memorable moments in shakespeares play a midsummer nights dream. How to pronounce character names in shakespeares a midsummer nights dream duration. The main characters in a midsummer night s dream are puck, theseus, egeus, demetrius, hermia, helana, lysander, and oberon puck is a mischievous fairy who.
The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance. Not only does it engage the audience emotionally, but it is also meant to be performed in a very exaggerated manner. In most cases, puck doesnt care about other peoples wishes and desires. Puck as trickster archetype in a midsummer nights dream. For this activity, you will write an essay about puck from a midsummer nights dream. Oberon is the king of the fairies, and as such, is one of the central characters in a midsummer night s dream. Puck is a representative of the trickster figure, which appears in most folklores.
Although there is little character development in a midsummer nights dream and no true protagonist, critics generally point to puck as the most important. Write a character analysis of puck to explain how he plays a significant role in a midsummer nights dream. The main characters in a midsummer nights dream are puck, theseus, egeus, demetrius, hermia, helana, lysander, and oberon puck is a. In shakespeares time it was believed that fairies and little people did exist. Puck is one of shakespeares most enjoyable characters.
Character analysis in a midsummer nights dream owl eyes. It is completely in the language of the bard, with pfeiffer as the fairy queen and kline as the one turned into her evenings lover with donkey ears. The heart and soul of a midsummer nights dream essay. Though bottom often steals the show in performance, puck is usually considered the most important character in a midsummer nights dream. The characters of oberon and titania play an essential role in a midsummer night s dream. Robin goodfellow puck character timeline in a midsummer nights dream the timeline below shows where the character robin goodfellow puck appears in a midsummer nights dream. Puck is described as a bizarre looking hobgoblin which connotations are definitely less glamorous than those of the other fairies. A midsummer night s dream is shakespeare s comedy about two couples in love with the wrong partners, and how they are finally brought together rightly, thanks in part to the bungling work of puck. Even before shakespeare s interpretation of puck though, the little imp had been one of the. In most cases, puck doesnt care about other people s wishes and desires. Puck has a miscreant spirit and capricious humor, and along with his magic, sets many of the plays. Mar 28, 2020 in a midsummer nights dream, puck is a mischievous sprite and oberons servant and jester. Though there is little character development in a midsummer nights dream and. He is one of the most important characters in the play, as he drives the plot forward with his impish pranks.
A midsummer nights dream is shakespeares most famously funny 16th century soap opera. Immediately download the a midsummer nights dream summary, chapterbychapter analysis, book notes, essays, quotes, character descriptions, lesson plans, and more everything you need for studying or teaching a midsummer nights dream. Mar 30, 2020 a midsummers night dream, comedy in five acts by william shakespeare, written about 159596. If puck creates the plays fun and rowdy atmosphere, then hes also the character who makes things happen in the play. Even before shakespeares interpretation of puck though, the little imp had been one of the. Puck is more or less oberon s assistant, although he also acts on his own instincts. Oct 03, 20 a homework assignment taken to the next level.
Though there is little character development in a midsummer nights dream and no true protagonist, critics generally point to puck as the most important character in the play. Puck uses magic throughout the play for comic effectmost notably when he transforms bottoms head into that of an ass. In a midsummer nights dream, puck is a mischievous sprite and oberons servant. The mischievous and witty sprite sets many of the plays events with his magic, through deliberate pranks on the human characters and. For this activity, you will write an essay about puck from a midsummer night s dream. A type of fairy called a puck, puck is oberons faithful servant, but is also mischievous and enjoys nothing more than playing tricks and causing trouble. A midsummer nights dream book summaries, test preparation. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. In the comedy a midsummer nights dream by shakespeare, the tiny fairy puck provides much of the comic relief and provokes. And puck is such a great incarnation of the trickster. A character analysis of puck in shakespeares a midsummer nights dream topic. A midsummer nights dream, comedy in five acts by william shakespeare, written about 159596 and published in 1600 in a quarto edition from the authors manuscript, in which there are some minor inconsistencies. Character analysis of puck character analysis essay.
Unlike many of his works, this one does not have a sad and tragic ending, and is a drama more than anything. Learn about a midsummer nights dream, including its plot and characters. Though a midsummer nights dream divides its action between several groups of characters, puck is the closest thing the play has to a protagonist. Character description, analysis and casting breakdown for puck from a midsummer night s dream join stageagent today and unlock amazing theatre resources and opportunities. The character of puck in a midsummer nights dream essay. The role of puck in a midsummers night dream mural uv.
Puck is the mischievous, quickwitted sprite who serves oberon, the fairy king. Dont know how to write a literature essay on a midsummer nights dream. He is a strong and confident character, and at the first rehearsal he exasperates peter quince by. Puck is described as a bizarre looking hobgoblin which connotations are definitely less glamorous than those of the.
The mischievous, quickwitted sprite sets many of the plays events in motion with his magic, by means of both deliberate pranks on the human characters transforming bottoms head into. Character analysis puck oberons jester and lieutenant, puck is a powerful supernatural creature, capable of circling the globe in 40 minutes or. Hippolyta in a midsummer nights dream hippolyta shakespeare bases hippolytas character on the ancient historian plutarchs portrayal of her in his life of theseus, which covers the big, mythological battle between theseus and the amazons. Puck is perhaps the plays most adorable character, and he stands out from the other fairies that drift through the play.
A midsummer nights dream essay character analysis of puck. A character analysis of puck in shakespeares a midsummer. Beginning with the importance of the characters and their roles, firstly puck is the mischievous goblin throughout the play and bottom is part of the craftsmen who are of lower class then the rest of the characters. Puck also known as robin goodfellow, puck is oberons jester, a mischievous fairy who delights in playing pranks on mortals. Take a look at the character traits and analysis, and then test your knowledge with a quiz. A character analysis on puck in a midsummer nights dream. Wild contrasts, such as the implicit comparison between the rough, earthy craftsmen and the delicate, graceful fairies, dominate a midsummer nights dream. A midsummer s night dream is one of shakespeare s many plays that he wrote.
The version published in the first folio of 1623 was taken from a second quarto edition, with some reference to a promptbook. He is, without question, my favorite character in this play. Although there is little character development in a midsummer nights dream and no true protagonist, critics generally point to puck as the most important character in the play. In neil gaimans comicbook the sandman story a midsummer nights dream 1990, puck and other fairies watch. The heart and soul of a midsummer nights dream within the genre of melodrama, the atmosphere and emotions of a story are romanticized and magical.
Rodriguez esl teacher high school for world cultureshigh school for world cultures bronx, nybronx, ny 2. All characters in the play are playful, careless and thoughtless, and puck. I had to create a blog post about the character puck because im doing one of his monologues from midsummer nights dream. The character puck, or robin goodfellow, is most often associated with the mischievous little hobgoblin fairy in shakespeares a midsummer nights dream. Here, we take an indepth look at each character so we. Puck is a fool in the traditional sense of the wordit is his job to entertain oberon, the fairy king, with his tricks and jokes. Oberon s jester and lieutenant, puck is a powerful supernatural creature, capable of circling the globe in 40 minutes or of enshrouding unsuspecting mortals in a deep fog. This is likely the most memorable image of a midsummer nights dream, and it demonstrates that while puck is harmless, he is capable of cruel tricks for the sake of enjoyment. Puckfrom the william shakespeare play midsummers nights dream wilfred dickson 10ro homework assignment 2. More important, pucks capricious spirit, magical fancy, funloving humor, and lovely, evocative language permeate the atmosphere of the play. The story of the trickster being tricked is a common motif. Puck and bottom are the two fools of a midsummer nights dream.
Hippolyta in a midsummer night s dream hippolyta shakespeare bases hippolyta s character on the ancient historian plutarch s portrayal of her in his life of theseus, which covers the big, mythological battle between theseus and the amazons. Puck is a minor character whose presence makes a difference in keeping one s attention. The fantastical semitawdry puck in a midsummer nights dream. Though, when it comes to oberon, the king of fairies, puck is a completely different. Shakespeare used this to create his puck, since the character gets confused in a midsummer night s dream and.
Most critics believe the play was written for and performed at an aristocratic wedding, with queen elizabeth i in attendance. A midsummer nights dream characters from litcharts the. He has all sorts of magical abilities, from changing read full character analysis. The fantastical semitawdry puck in a midsummer night s dream. I had to create a blog post about the character puck because im doing one of his monologues from midsummer night s dream. My character analysis introduction and puck, a hobgoblin in oberons service. Nick bottom is a weaver, and one of the artisans who put on the play, pyramus and thisbe.
Puck, also known as robin goodfellow, is a character in william shakespeare s play a midsummer night s dream, based on the ancient figure of puck found in english mythology. Your essay thesis would identify the overall significance of pucks. He is the first of the main fairy characters to appear, and creates the drama of the human lovers story by. Analysis of puck in a midsummer nights dream thoughtco. A midsummers night dream is one of shakespeares many plays that he wrote. A midsummer nights dream characters theseus, duke of athens theseus, the duke of athens, has recently won a war against the amazons, and to reward himself for his victory is going to marry their queen hippolyta, whether she likes it or not. Puck is a clever, mischievous fairy, sprite, or jester. The character puck, or robin goodfellow, is most often associated with the mischievous little hobgoblin fairy in shakespeare s a midsummer night s dream. A midsummer nights dream was written in a highly creative period in shakespeares career, when he was moving away from the shallow plots that characterized his earlier drama and discovering his more mature style. A midsummer nights dream shakespeare birthplace trust. His enchanting, mischievous spirit pervades the atmosphere, and his antics are responsible for. Robin goodfellow puck character timeline in a midsummer night s dream the timeline below shows where the character robin goodfellow puck appears in a midsummer night s dream. This mischievous fairy complicates things with pranks that propel main plots of the play.