How Are The Fairies Used In A Midsummer Night's Dream

Magic and illusions can be used to manipulate others, alter one’s mind, impact their decisions and force one to think differently. The power that one has over others and how they use it against them, can impact their lives significantly. In A Midsummer Night's Dream, William Shakespeare creates a world of fairies and magic where they interact with humans who wander there, but this world is not as enchanting for those who are influenced throughout the events of the play. The fairies and their magical powers are the essential elements of the plot. Shakespeare uses Puck, the fairy to connect the two plots: the realm of the fairies and the humans, by playing the puppet master bringing about chaotic events. Puck’s mischievous personality causes
Oberon orders Puck to use the magical flower to make Demetrius fall in love with Helena, but total confusion prevails due to Puck’s mistake; at which point the damage is already done and conflicts begin to arise. Helena starts to speculate why and how this happened, saying: “O spite! O hell! I see you are all bent to set against me for your merriment. . .Can you not hate me, as I know you do, but you must join in souls to mock me too?” (3.2.145-150). Puck’s manipulation convinces her that her friends are mocking her for their amusement, leading her to feel insecure about herself because nobody truly loves her. She speculates that this charade was set up by Hermia, to which Lysander and Demetrius play along to insult Helena. Although Lysander confesses his love and fights for Helena, she is not interested. As a victim of the love potion he forgets all about the one he truly loves, Hermia. Lysander is so disgusted by the sight of her, he says. Those who are exposed to the pansy juice are not the only ones affected by the outcome of Puck’s mischief. Although Hermia was not under the influence of magic, she is left with a broken heart because she does not have an understanding of this unexplainable love triangle. The lovers question their loyalty to their relationships because of Puck's mistake. In 3.2, along with Hermia and Helena
Lysander and Demetrius already have a hatred for each other from the beginning while fighting for Hermia, but as the elements of magic present themselves it only aggravates their hatred even further as they fight over Helena instead. While they are still under the influence of the love potion, both characters continue to prove their love to Helena. Demetrius who was sickened by her, now confesses his love. As a result of Puck’s obstructive powers, the Athenian men go back and forth attempting to justify their feelings to win Helena’s heart. Their argument leads to a duel out of their anger and indignant remarks towards one another. Before the duel, Lysander says. As Lysander and Demetrius chase each other for a duel, Puck lures them to confuse their minds through the element of magic. Both characters in the play, had no knowledge or understanding of their actions as Puck stirs up their lives. Due to his meddlesome actions, the hatred between Demetrius and Lysander complicates the situation creating further conflicts within the