Puck also plays a hero in the play as he is the central character. Although he is not present in the first scene, Puck is introduced immediately in act two, serves as the instigator in rising action, is the main cause of conflict in act three, helps to ‘ right the wrongs’ in act four’s falling action, and finally provides the audience with their resolution at the end of the play.
Puck is also an agent of transformation by ‘anointing’ the lovers’ eyes with the love juice , but as he is directed to make these transformations by his master, Oberon, therefore Puck could also be played as a mischievous individual, ‘a shrewd and knavish sprite (indeed his gleeful recounting of all the tricks he plays on people in act two scene one seem to reflect this side of his personality). He is either been played as a mischievous prankster throughout the play or quite a sinister force in the play, but he is definitely a commentator on the action. He is also partially an audience as he enjoys watching the chaos he created. Hence through Puck, there are many people who are transformed ( in the aspect of their thinking and decisions) .
Puck also fills the role of an antagonist most emphatically. Together with Oberon, they mess around with the young Athenian lovers’ feelings. By charming Demetrius and Lysander, the former on purpose, and the latter by mistake, they believe they are helping Helena to find love. However, in reality, they are simply ruining things and causing more problems than they are good, regardless of their intentions. He complicates Oberon's plans. He is the engine of transformation who sets Bottom against his friends (and vice versa) and the entire Titania love theme in play. He tricks and misleads the lovers, so they are fighting him when they think they are fighting one another. ‘ And so far am I glad it so did sort As this their jangling I esteem a sport’, again, Puck is reiterating how much it is a ‘sport’ (fun) to him to see the lovers fall out with each other. Hence Puck is seen as an antagonist as he also enjoys playing mean tricks on mortals.
Puck also plays the role of a gossiper. The fairy doesn't ask him, but he tells what Oberon is doing anyway,’ The king doth keep his revels here to-night. Take heed the queen come not within his sight; For Oberon is passing fell and wrath… …But, they do square, that all their elves for fear Creep into acorn-cups and hide them there.’ Hence, he is like a teenager spreading gossip in high school to see what happens when people fight in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Puck also plays the role of a trickster in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. "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?" Puck is portrayed to be very cunning and likes to make fun of Athenians. Puck is also sometimes thought to be malicious because of his actions. Puck also mistakenly apply the love juice on the wrong Athenian man’s eyes. Hence, the role of Puck as a trickster is also significant as he stirs up conflict through his mistakes and tricks too.
Puck also plays the role of a braggart. "Thou speak'st aright; I am that merry wanderer of the night. I jest to Oberon and make him smile’ He automatically admits that he is Oberon’s right hand man which seems to be likened to boasting. He is proud of his identity and close relation to Oberon. He openly boasts about his talents and is not humble at all. His bragging personality is actually quite similar to Bottom’s , however he sees Bottom as ‘ a shallowest thickskin of that barren sort’. This shows how proud Puck is, he is also similar to Oberon in this sense as Oberon too has a big ego and many pride. Hence this shows the significance of Puck’s role in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Puck is likened to a small boy who ever wishes he could make people do things he wanted, could mess with their heads, could make them run into trees, etc. Puck is the trickster side of humans that are keen to obtain lots of power not but to get away with things. Puck is also memorable because he embodies that desire. Hence in this case Puck’s role is a small little boy who represents people who are eager to possess plenty of power and be able to control everyone else.
Puck’s role is also to conclude the play with a monologue (solo address). "If we shadows have offended, … 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." Finally, he says, "So, good night unto you all. … Give me your hands, if we be friends, … And Robin shall restore amends It ends with a restoration of human relationships. He speaks the final words at the end of the play in an attempt to make amends with the audience and apologize for the fairies behavior during the performance. Puck makes it clear that the fairies’ mischief was not intended to cause harm, and that all will be set aright. Hence Puck’s role is to bring peace to the play after many endless conflicts.