1 Chris DSouza 5801245 English 109 A Midsummers Night Dream William Shakespeares timeless play A Midsummers Night Dream

centres on the marriage of the Duke of Athens, Theseus, and the Queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta. Along with several interlinking plots about four lovers and a group of six amateur actors who are all influenced by a spell brought on by the fairies that live in the forest where most of the play is set. But of course in every Shakespearean play there has to be a Fool of sorts, and Robin Goodfellow takes on that role, as well as being Oberon, King of the Fairies, jester. He sets the play into motion, and he is the plays closest example of a protagonist. His playful, mischievous spirit allows him to get away with much of the antics and tricks he pulls, causing most of the problems for the fellow Athenians. In addition to role of Puck as a Jester, he is very much like the Fool in King Lear which will be brought up further on in the essay. Pucks character is based on an ancient English folklore character with the same name, said to be a mythological fairy or mischievous nature sprite, his other name Robin Goodfellow meant that "[t]he spirit was not actually good by nature, but was called Goodfellow as a sort of appeasement, meant to deflect the spirit's pranks towards other people.1 He is firstly introduced by Shakespeare as a shrewd and knavish sprite2 and one who is a merry wanderer of the night3 but later, on the same page he is describes as a hobgoblin, which perhaps suggests the true meaning of his nature. But almost all of Pucks pranks are good hearted and lively, the biggest prank played is when he accidentally sprinkles the love potion on Lysander instead of Demetrius, leading to a myriad of misunderstandings and drama.

GradeSaver. Character Analysis of Puck. http://www.gradesaver.com/midsummer-nightsdream/essays/essay2/. (Accessed May 10, 2012)

2

Shakespeare, William. A Midsummers Night Dream. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994 (Pg. 154) Shakespeare, William. A Midsummers Night Dream (Pg. 155)

2 Chris DSouza 5801245 English 109 A Midsummers Night Dream Although getting told off by Oberon for his folly, Puck goes on to take further delight in teasing and making fun of the four lovers as they run around the forest, making the most of his mistake. He is also seen as the master of revels, paralleling Philostrates job to bring entertainment to the house of Theseus, thus Pucks job is also to bring entertainment to his Fairy King, and thus also brings entertainment to the audience. Pucks first trick is on Bottom, the weaver of the Mechanicals, who gets his head turned into an ass. Puck plays a very prominent role in this theme of transformation; this theme is perhaps present because Shakespeares influence for the play was Metamorphes by Ovid. However this is only a physical transformation; in fact the whole play is based on this underlying idea of transformation. The lovers undergo various changes as they fall in and out of love with each other, and Puck himself shift changes several times throughout the play furthermore the world in which the characters are in go through changes, night goes into day, the moon waxes and wanes and so on. But the idea of transformation also teaches us a few things; one of the many is that love can transform the most intelligent person into a blind imbecile, and make us do the silliest of things, this is seen when Puck cries out to the powers that be; Lord, what fools these mortals be!4 Although Puck directs this to Lysander and his silly ramblings of his love for Helena; he is including everyone, as well as the audience, in his derision of human love. Another example is when Titania falls in love with Bottom, quite possibly the most memorable scene in A Midsummers Night Dream where Shakespeares fantasy is at its strongest, Titania adorns Bottom with words of flattery and adulation; Thou art as wise as

Shakespeare, William. A Midsummers Night Dream. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994 (Pg. 195)

3 Chris DSouza 5801245 English 109 A Midsummers Night Dream thou art beautiful. 5The potion that Puck pours on her eyes makes her fall deeply in love with Bottom. Titania, the beautiful and strong-willed Queen of the Fairies, disappears as she becomes the women grovelling at Bottoms feet, and promising him the world as she searches for his love. Although Titania is quite possibly the strongest representation of women in the play, she is also controlled by men, through this Shakespeare expresses that this is almost inevitable. Puck, although through a series of jokes and twists, ultimately brings us to the question the essence of reality and dreaming, this is another underlying theme throughout the text. The plays title represents the idea of dreams taking over peoples lives and confusing them with the reality of the situation. For example when the four lovers, Lysander and Hermia and Demetrius and Helena emerge from the forest, they think themselves part of a dream. As Demetrius states That yet we sleep, we dream6 and further establishes this sentiment as he encourages the lovers to recount their dreams7although none of the characters were dreaming. Hermia experiences a dream which confirms her insecurities as a woman; methought a serpent ate my heart away, and you sat smiling at his cruel prey8 not knowing that indeed Lysander has fallen out of love with her. At the close of the play, Pucks monologue is as much ours as it is his; there are various ideas that are all incorporated in the last lines of the play. If we shadows have offended

Shakespeare, William. A Midsummers Night Dream. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994 (Pg. 186) Shakespeare, William. A Midsummers Night Dream. (Pg 226) Ibid (Pg. 226) Ibid (Pg. 177)

7 8

4 Chris DSouza 5801245 English 109 A Midsummers Night Dream Think but this, and all is mended: That you have but slumb'red here While these visions did appear. And this weak and idle theme No more yielding but a dream Gentles do not reprehend: If you pardon, we will mend. And, as I am an honest Puck If we have unearned luck Now to scape the serpent's tongue We will make amends ere long; Else the Puck a liar call: So, good night unto you all Give me your hands, if we be friends, And Robin shall restore amends.9 (Page 255-256) Puck encourages the audience that if they found offence in the play, he suggests they pretend it is a dream, just like Lysander, Hermia, Demetrius and Helena are made to think it was a

Shakespeare, William. A Midsummers Night Dream. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994 (Pg. 255-256)

5 Chris DSouza 5801245 English 109 A Midsummers Night Dream dream. Also he uses irony as he states that he is an honest puck10 , as a puck is a mischievous and ill-behaved spirit, the audience is left with a shadow of an inkling not to follow in this charade that Puck has called us to act in. Also he calls himself puck in the first couple of lines and then in the last line he calls himself Robin, further attributing to the irony of his monologue which in turn satirises the play as a whole. Shakespeare, in many of his plays, has a fool in place to create a balance between the serious and amusing. In King Lear, the title character also has a jester that accompanies him throughout the story, not only bringing humour to the dark tale as well as providing a harsh insight into Lears folly. Lear, a very proud and conceited king, makes many mistakes, the most important where he disposes of his kingdom into the hands of his cruel daughters, Goneril and Regan, taking they false words of love over the reality of Cordelias. As Kent, Lears servant, he encourages Lear to see better11where Lear ultimately banishes him out of the kingdom. But when the Fool expresses his disagreement with Lears judgement, calling him a fool, Lear allows this criticism. But at the same time, the Fool is not just Lears jester and advisor, but is also loyal to his master, braving the storm and the madness of Lear. Many parallels can be made between Puck and the Fool, they are both provided to bring laughter and joy to a king, but also they are fiercely respectful and loyal toward their master. Puck, even though a mischievous hobgoblin and happy to carry on with his tricks, listens to Oberon at once when asked to fix the mistake he made, as he replies I go, I go [] swifter

10

Shakespeare, William. A Midsummers Night Dream. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994 (Pg. 256)

11

Shakespeare, William. King Lear. New York: Penguin Books, 1994 (Pg 67)

6 Chris DSouza 5801245 English 109 A Midsummers Night Dream than the arrow of Tartars bow12 he not only listens to his master, but also does so hurriedly to appease Oberon. As well as this Pucks loyalty to Oberon is shown when he states that he jest[s] to Oberon, and make him smile13 , the only reason he is here is because he provides entertainment to his master. Throughout the play the audience constantly asks themselves what are the motives of Puck? What fuels this primary desire to jest and wreak havoc throughout the forest? Perhaps Puck is the embodiment of Shakespeare himself, in his words, actions and amendments. Firstly, when Puck apologizes for any offence caused by his mistakes, Shakespeare might well be speaking through him and apologizing to the audience and the readers if he has caused any offence. Secondly when Puck stumbles into the rehearsal of Pyramus and Thysbe he meditates; What, a play toward? Ill be an auditor; / An actor too perhaps, if I see cause14 , he is an auditor in the sense that he listens in on the play, but also an actor as he turns Bottoms head into that of an ass. Much like Puck, Shakespeare too acts like an auditor as well as an actor, he is also part of the audience as we view the play as well as the play within the play, but he is also an actor as he acts through Puck, to not only add comedy but to also add a depth to the plot. If we consider the role of Shakespeare being Puck and vice versa, it is simple to question Pucks motive and to be comfortable with it. Much like Shakespeare, Puck wants to create entertainment that will please people, he wants to create a production that will both entertain and make the audience develop a rapport with the play.

12

Shakespeare, William. A Midsummers Night Dream. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994 (Pg. 194)

13 14

Shakespeare, William. A Midsummers Night Dream. (Pg. 155) Ibid (Pg. 181)

7 Chris DSouza 5801245 English 109 A Midsummers Night Dream As a whole there would be no A Midsummers Night Dream if it wasnt for the character of Puck, Shakespeare cleverly uses the Fool to be the most important part of the play and the cleverest, much like Shakespeares other play King Lear. Shakespeare uses Puck as a protagonist when there seems to be no clear one present, as he causes nearly all the misunderstandings and problems in the play. Puck, Robin Goodfellow, brings most to the play as he sets most of the plot lines into motion; he loves a practical joke and is ultimately the heart and soul of the play.

8 Chris DSouza 5801245 English 109 A Midsummers Night Dream Bibliography: 1. GradeSaver. Character Analysis of Puck. http://www.gradesaver.com/midsummernights-dream/essays/essay2/. (Accessed May 10, 2012) 2. Shakespeare, William. A Midsummers Night Dream. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994 3. Shakespeare, William. King Lear. New York: Penguin Books, 1994