Who Is Puck In A Midsummer Night's Dream

What if you were tricked into no longer loving your true love. In Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare a shakespearean comedy, Puck is a fairy who’s profession is serving Oberon the king of the fairies. Puck also is a known jokester who always is getting himself in trouble. He is also a very static character throughout the play. Puck is a three dimensional and complex character because of his difference in traits from mischievous to loyalty to compassion.
The first and main trait that characterizes Puck is mischievous. Puck has done mischievous acts ranging from turning Nick Bottom's head into that of an ass to something as simple as scaring the maidens in the village. We know very early on into the play that Puck is a bit mischievous when his fellow fairy makes this statement "that shrewd and knavish sprite Call'd Robin Goodfellow"(Shakespeare-37). “Shrewd” means malicious while “knavish” meaning is mischievous. Another quote that expresses his mischievousness is “Follow my voice, we’ll try no manhood here”(Shakespeare-). In this quote Puck is trying to trick Demetrius and Lysander over to him by disguising his voice. He does this so he can fix what he messed up and get the love potion in the eyes of Lysander. The second
trait that characterizes Puck is loyalty. Puck always sticks by Oberon's side and always listens to his orders no matter how challenging or odd they are. He also addresses Oberan as lord which shows his respect and loyalty towards him.“Fear not, my lord, your servant shall do so”(Shakespeare-53). This quote re-emphasizes that Puck will do anything for Oberon, willingly and speedily will carry out requests this also shows that he has overwhelming respect towards him. When Oberon asks Puck to get the flower for the potion he replies “My fairy lord, this must be done with haste for heights swift dragons out the clouds full fast”(Shakespeare-109).Once again he is addressing oberon as “lord” a sign of loyalty and respect also he says how he would go to great heights for Oberon. The third and final trait that characterizes Puck is compassion.
When Oberon tells Puck to enchant Demetrious with the love potion so he falls in love with Helena who Demetrius has been ignoring. Puck feels great pity for Helena because the way she is being treated. He expresses sympathy towards Helena when he says the following "Pretty soul! she durst not lie. Near this lack-love, this kill-courtesy"(Shakespeare-59). Puck is basically saying he doesn't understand why someone would ignore someone as beautiful as her. We also see his compassion and sympathy for Helena when Puck calls Demetrious a villain(churl) for ignoring her in the following statement “Churl, upon thy eyes I throw All the power this charm doth
owe"(Shakespeare-59). Pucks traits of mischievousness, loyalty, and compassion show how well rounded of a character he is. In conclusion Puck is a man of many traits from good too bad. He is overall a great character thought up by William Shakespeare who adds times of comedy and depth to the play. In the end this play all comes down to love, even when there are challenges in a relationship true love can always overcome them.