The following essay is an analysis of Shakespeare’s Puck and the way he is presented in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The first topic to deal with is that of Puck’s background, the history of the hobgoblin before and after Shakespeare. After that, the main focus will be laid on Shakespeare’s presentation of Puck’s character in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Potential differences between the Shakespearean and the folklore Puck are also to be pointed out. Since Puck is an ambivalent figure, the characterisation is to be a try to find out wheatear Puck is presented as a more positive or a more malignant figure. The last point focuses Puck’s functions in the play, since it is undoubted that he has more than one. Since his ‘official’ function is that of Oberon’s servant and jester, Puck’s relationship to his master will also be shortly examined in that chapter.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Main Part
2.1. Background and Tradition
2.2 Character
2.3. Functions
3. Summary and conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of the character Puck in William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night’s Dream," examining his historical roots in folklore, his multifaceted personality, and his various functions within the play's narrative structure.
- Historical background and evolution of the Puck/Robin Goodfellow figure in folklore
- Shakespeare's unique characterisation of Puck as an ambivalent and impish entity
- The role of Puck as a catalyst for chaos and a driver of the play's complications
- Examination of Puck's relationship with Oberon and his interactions with human characters
- The impact of stage interpretations and cultural perceptions on the character's legacy
Excerpt from the Book
2.2. Character
When we first meet Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the dialogue between him and Titania’s fairy already gives us a good characterisation of ‘that merry wanderer of the night’:
‘Fairy : Either I mistake your shape and making quite, Or else you are that shrewd and knavish sprite Call'd Robin Goodfellow: are not you he That frights the maidens of the villagery; Skim milk, and sometimes labour in the quern And bootless make the breathless housewife churn; And sometime make the drink to bear no barm; Mislead night-wanderers, laughing at their harm? Those that Hobgoblin call you and sweet Puck, You do their work, and they shall have good luck: Are not you he? Puck: Thou speak'st aright; I am that merry wanderer of the night. I jest to Oberon and make him smile When I a fat and bean-fed horse beguile, Neighing in likeness of a filly foal: And sometime lurk I in a gossip's bowl, In very likeness of a roasted crab, And when she drinks, against her lips I bob And on her wither'd dewlap pour the ale. The wisest aunt, telling the saddest tale, Sometime for three-foot stool mistaketh me; Then slip I from her bum, down topples she, And 'tailor' cries, and falls into a cough; And then the whole quire hold their hips and laugh, And waxen in their mirth and neeze and swear A merrier hour was never wasted there.’
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the historical context of the play and defines the essay's focus on the background, character, and functions of Puck.
2. Main Part: The main part explores the folklore origins of the character, dissects his personality within the play, and analyzes the specific roles he performs.
2.1. Background and Tradition: This section details the origins of Puck and Robin Goodfellow in English and European folklore, noting their transition into Shakespearean literature.
2.2 Character: This section examines Puck's temperament, his ambivalence as an impish but not strictly malicious figure, and his unique interactions with other characters.
2.3. Functions: This section analyzes Puck's role as a jester, servant, and catalyst for chaos, including his function as an observer and narrator of human folly.
3. Summary and conclusion: The conclusion summarizes Puck's development as the play's most complex character and reaffirms his lasting legacy in popular culture.
Keywords
Puck, Robin Goodfellow, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare, folklore, fairy, jester, characterisation, Oberon, Titania, trickster, mischief, Elizabethan, drama, stage interpretation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work focuses on an analytical study of the character Puck in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night’s Dream," exploring his historical origins, his moral ambiguity, and his functional role within the play.
What are the central themes of the analysis?
The central themes include the evolution of mythological figures in literature, the duality of Puck's nature (impish versus malignant), the representation of chaos versus order, and the interaction between supernatural beings and human folly.
What is the primary goal of the author?
The goal is to determine how Shakespeare transformed the traditional, somewhat darker folk-figure of Puck into the complex, multifaceted character present in the play.
Which methodology is used to approach the subject?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, combining historical research on folklore with a close textual study of the play and relevant critical interpretations.
What is covered in the main part of the paper?
The main part covers the historical folklore background, a detailed character study of Puck, and an analysis of his various functions, such as servant, jester, and "stage manager" of the lovers' conflicts.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
The research is best characterized by terms such as Puck, Robin Goodfellow, Shakespeare, folklore, trickster, and fairy literature.
How does Puck's role as a jester influence the plot?
As a jester, Puck possesses the freedom to act outside standard social morals, allowing him to create the chaotic situations and misadventures that propel the narrative toward its climax.
Does the author consider Puck to be a villain?
No, the author argues that Puck is more "impish than malignant," suggesting his pranks are driven by a childish desire for amusement rather than a genuine intent to cause harm.
How does the author view the relationship between Puck and Oberon?
The author sees their relationship as one of master and servant, where Puck executes Oberon's directives, though he maintains a degree of independence and often finds amusement in the outcomes of his tasks.
- Quote paper
- Jelena Vukadinovic (Author), 2008, The Figure of Puck in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night’s Dream", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/126098
