A Midsummer Night's Dream
The purpose of this paper is to discuss Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream and how he creates such enticing characters that lure the reader into the fairy world through their language, imagery, and characterization. Yet, of these creations, one character truly has a gift to take the audience on a spectacular journey through fairyland. This character is Puck, also known as Robin Goodfellow. Puck can be said to be the readers guide in fairyland through his use of language and the aid of Shakespeare's dreamy imagery. In A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare masterly creates many characters and illuminates them with such extreme characterization that the reader is almost enchanted by their qualities. This characterization is shown immediately when the fairy world is introduced into the play. A fairy asks the question: "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..." (II.i.31-35) This statement catches the readers ear because we see instantly that Puck is one of magic and mischief. This enchantment is furthered when Puck so cleverly answers "Thou spea
So near the cradle of the Fairy Queen? Lamenting some enforced chastity." (III.ii 198-200) And yonder shines Aurora's harbinger, Shakespeare also gives Puck characteristics of loyalty, sarcasm, and mischievousness. First, Puck shows his loyalty to Oberon with statements like "Fear not, my lord! Your servant shall do so." (II.ii 268) and "I jest to Oberon and make him smile". (II.i 44) This demonstrates that Puck is loyal to Oberon and feels it is his duty to serve Oberon and make him happy to a great extent. Secondly, Shakespeare gives Puck characteristics of sarcasm. For example, when Oberon tells Puck to fix the mistakes he make Puck makes the smart remark "I go, I go, look how I go, swifter than arrow from the Tartar's bow." (III.ii 100-101) Here, Puck is making it as if he is being put out of his way for correcting the mistakes he originally caused. Lastly, Puck demonstrates the characteristic of being a mischievous fairy. The reader can see that Puck was given an infinite amount of these mischievous qualities, for he is always playing pranks and practical jokes on all that encounter him. For example, when Puck comes upon the play rehearsals, he says:
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1726
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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