Robin Goodfellow or Robin Badfellow? Review the behaviour of Puck in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Your essay should pay attention to the language used by the character.
Robin Goodfellow or Robin Badfellow? Review the behaviour of Puck in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Your essay should pay attention to the language used by the character. 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is a play where the line between dream and reality disappears. It's about how love is magical. The play was written around 1598 and would have been preformed in the Globe Theatre. It is a comedy, because like almost all of Shakespeare's comedies it ends in marriage. In the play we get introduced to a character named Puck. He is a fairy and a loyal servant to Oberon. I have chosen Puck because he is the pivotal character in this play. I believe Puck is good and I will prove this by examining a few scenes in the play to prove is essentially a good character. Puck first appears in Act 2 Scene 1 when he runs into another fairy. We find out he is boastful and quite proud of himself because the fairy asks him if he is 'that shrewd and knavish sprite'. The words the fairy uses to describe him are 'shrewd', 'knavish' and 'sprite'. Shrewd because she thinks that he is very mean and nasty and the knavish meaning the fairy thinks he's childish and quite naïve because he doesn't know the outcome of his actions and how they may hurt people. The word sprite comes out quite strongly because a sprite is an evil spirit, while Puck is meant to be a sweet fun loving fairy. Puck simply replies: 'I
The form and structure within "A Midsummer Night's Dream".
The form and structure within "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is very complex at times but equally effective upon the reader. There are many complicated concepts to consider which have made the play what it is; one of the most original, magical, mysterious and thoroughly enjoyable ever written. The division of the acts and scene was a key element to the build-up of tension, and introduction to the characters and their statuses. The first three scenes each have a different set of characters; Act 1 Scene1 - The Courtiers (who eventually split up into two separate strands and two sub-plots - The Courtiers and The Lovers) ,Act 1 Scene 2 - The Mechanicals and Act 2 Scene 1 - The Fairies. This is interesting as it establishes the three character groups before they merge. It establishes the three different stories and clearly separates them as they have a scene each. It is not until Act 2 Scene 2 that the three groups come together and create yet another story, as Puck, one of The Fairies, enters the same scene just after a conversation between Lysander and Hermia and later leaves after his monologue. Enter Helena and Demetrius. The exposition through language is an important aspect of the play to explore. For me the most outstanding would be at the beginning of the play in Act 1 Scene 1 where Hippolyta says: "Four days will quickly steep themselves in night; Four nights will
'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
English Coursework Third Assignment I have read and studied 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', an enthralling romantic comedy that is still enjoyed. The play was thought to have been written in 1595 or 1596, by William Shakespeare. At the time Elizabeth I was on the throne and both the vulgar crowd and upper class enjoyed it. Shakespeare was not only popular because of his sharp wit, but anyone could relate to the stories in some way. I am going to direct the concluding sequence of events, with my own preference of stage setting and how characters act, in order to show how the play's themes can be made clear and exciting in the theatre, using its resources. The themes that I shall outline are the pain and the pleasure of love, marriage, unity, superiority and transformation. The series of final events are very important to the story itself. The ending completely changes the genre of the story, from difficulty to serenity. When Titania and Oberon fell out it caused drastic human difficulties. It is like the world Super powers falling out, and having a nuclear war. TITANIA: The ox hath therefore stretched his yoke in vain, The ploughman lost his sweat, and the green corn, Hath rotted ere his youth attained a beard. Once Titania and Oberon are back together peace is restored, the couples join together in unity, as when before they were apart. Theseus and Hippolyta, Hermia and
Shakespeare - A Midsummer Nights Dream: Oberon often describes Puck as a, 'mad spirit,'(act 3:2). In what ways does his reputation and behaviour support that description?
Claire Wightman Miss Beeson Shakespeare A Midsummer Nights Dream: Oberon often describes Puck as a, `mad spirit,'(act 3:2). In what ways does his reputation and behaviour support that description? A Midsummer Nights dream is a play written in the late fifteenth century by Shakespeare for a nobleman's wedding. However this was not just any wedding it was one, which Queen Elizabeth the first would be attending. Consequently we could say that the play was `tailor written,' for its purpose; It is nothing solemn nor serious but a romance with a touch of magic and comedy so an over emphasis on love would not offend the virgin queen. This is why Puck became the perfect, `tool' for Shakespeare. Puck, a traditional character in English folklore also commonly known as, `Robin Goodfellow' was thought of as a mischievous spirit, a cunning shape shifter who was a practical joker. At heart, however people thought of Puck as a friendly spirit sympathetic to mortals. Mad is defined as somebody who is out of ones mind, insane, and wildly foolish so does this also define Puck? Puck is a servant to the king of the fairies Oberon. His official job is to be jester to Oberon though Puck must always do his master's bidding or face punishment. In line 175, act 2:1 Puck states: "I'll put a girdle round about the earth in forty minutes." This basically means that Puck is
If the staging of Act 4 scene 1 was done well and appropriately it could greatly amplify the appearance of the emphasis of the spirit world on the human world.
Shakespeare coursework If the staging of Act 4 scene 1 was done well and appropriately it could greatly amplify the appearance of the emphasis of the spirit world on the human world. In all the different aspects one would have to choose the right setting. If the venue was outside you would have the advantage of the natural aspect. Trees could be planted and incorporated into the play. The fairies could be hanging from the branches to show their control and higher hierarchy status, it shows them looking down on the mortals, almost disdainfully. There are, however some disadvantages to the venue being outdoors, there would be no lighting as the plays would be done in the afternoon. On this specific scene the nightime and daytime parts are going to be rather difficult. There needs to be a good contrast and strong visual difference between night and daytime so the audience can easily tell the difference. Colour is also very important. I would have the mortals in smart but quite drab clothing but the fairies in elaborate gowns and flowing trim. The use of colour marks social class. Having mortals in whites, greys and browns and the spirit world in reds and golds helps to show the emphasis of the spirit world over the human world. Trapdoors would also be a good idea for the fairies entering; it shows the freedom for them to move wherever they want and as if they have
How Might You Interpret The World Of The Fairies In A Midsummer Nights Dream?
How Might You Interpret The World Of The Fairies In A Midsummer Nights Dream? Mid summer nights dream is one of William Shakespeare earlier plays, it was written in the late fifteen hundreds. The title suggests that the play was set in the midsummer, on the shortest night of the year; it being on the shortest night of the year gives that mystical eeriness about the play. Within the play there are three worlds each having its own set of people. The three sets of characters within the play are, the nobles, the mechanicals and the fairies. The nobles were the wealthy people living and ruling in Athens. The characters from this group are Theseus, Theseus is the duke of Athens, and he is getting married to Hippolyta in four nights. Because Theseus is the duke of Athens when people have problems within their lives they go to see, so he can lead them in the right direction. Egeus is also a noble, he is the father of Hermia, Hermia loves Lysander and Lysander loves Hermia, but Hermia's father want his daughter to marry demetrius, Demetrius is also a noble like Lysander, either is better than the other, but Demetrius left his ex-lover Helena how still loves him, how ever he does not love her. Egeus goes to the duke of Athens Theseus to tell him about his daughter wrong doings. In Athens the daughter had to do as her father told her. Egeus tell Theseus "But either happy is the rose
Midsummer's night dream - Responding.
Midsummer's night dream Responding For unit two, we looked and explored the legendary play "Midsummer's night dream" by William Shakespeare. Midsummer Night's Dream was Probably composed in 1595 or 1596. this is one of Shakespeare's early comedies, but can be well-known from his other works in this group by describing it specifically as the Bard's original wedding play. Most scholars believe that Shakespeare wrote A Midsummer Night's Dream as a light entertainment to accompany a marriage celebration, and while the identity of the historical couple for whom it was meant has never been finally well-known, there is good textual and background evidence available to support this claim. At the same time, unlike the vast majority of his works (including all of his comedies), in concocting this story, Shakespeare did not rely directly upon existing plays, narrative poetry, historical records or any other primary source materials, making it a truly original piece. Most critics agree that if a youthful Shakespeare was not at his best in this play, he certainly enjoyed himself in writing it. The characters in the play were: Characters THESEUS, Duke of Athens. EGEUS, Father to Hermia. LYSANDER, in love with Hermia. DEMETRIUS, in love with Hermia. PHILOSTRATE, Master of the Revels to Theseus. QUINCE, the Carpenter. SNUG, the Joiner. BOTTOM, the Weaver. FLUTE, the
To what extent is the mechanicals' performance of Pyramus’s and Thisby a success?
Midsummer Night's Dream Essay To what extent is the mechanicals' performance of Pyramus's and Thisby a success? A Midsummer Night's Dream is a romantic comedy written by William Shakespeare. The confusing love story involves four young adults, Helena, Lysander, Demetrius, and Hermia. The story becomes entangled when a fairy called Puck mistakenly applied a love potion to the wrong pair of lovers. At the start of the play, Egeus is making his daughter Hermia, marry Demetrius. Demetrius loves Hermia, but it is Hermia and Lysander who are deeply in love. Egeus forbids Hermia to marry Lysander so they elope and get lost in the woods. Demetrius hears that his love Hermia, has eloped with Lysander, and follows them. Helena, who is infatuated with Demetrius, is chasing him. All the lovers are now in the woods, and Puck makes his mischief. When the love potion is rubbed onto sleeping eyelids, when the person awakes, they fall passionately in love with the first living being that they see. This is where it becomes confusing... Oberon, the King of the Fairies instructed Puck, to rub the potion onto Demetrius' eyes so that he would fall in love with Helena. Puck mistakes Lysander for Demetrus, so that when Lysander awoke and saw Helena, who he now has fallen in love with. Puck still wants Demetrius to fall in love with Helena, so he wipes the love potion on
Fairies: Beauty or Contentment?
Fairies: Beauty or Contentment? Fairies- like witches- were widely accepted as real in the Elizabethan era. The witches in Macbeth still stir debate over whether they initiated Macbeth's crimes or simply anticipated then. What role do you think the fairies have in A Midsummer Night's Dream? Are they simply a theatrical device to create wonder and beauty on stage or do the fairies have a greater significance? How does Shakespeare use them? In correlation to Shakespeare's Macbeth, the role of the witches produces a direct connotation with the role of the fairies in A Midsummer Night's Dream. The philosophical perception of fate is carried throughout both the dramas, enacting to drive the plot forward. In A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare uses the fairies to depict a magical setting, symbolizing beauty, love and contentment. These symbols form the basis of the play in context to the plot for the reason that these symbols drive the plot to come full circle by the 5th Act. However, the magical setting portrays Shakespeare's intent of having the interaction between the two worlds; hence the combination is what formulates the plots complications whilst further proving the drama to be a romantic comedy. In addition, A Midsummer Night's Dream revolves around the themes of love and marriage; thus the implication of fairies adds to the emotions of content through possessing a
What makes "A Midsummer Night's Dream" an Elizabethan comedy?
What makes "A Midsummer Night's Dream" an Elizabethan comedy? William Shakespeare wrote "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in 1595. The play written right before "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was "Romeo and Juliet", which also emphasized on romantic love and the complications it can cause. However, while "Romeo and Juliet" was written as a tragedy, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" develops to become a romantic comedy. The first scene presents evidence of a tragic story rather than a comedy. Hermia, in love with Lysander, is refusing to marry the man of her father's choice, Demetrius. Egeus, father of Hermia, is enraged by such disposition. "As she is mine, I may dispose of her : Which shall be either to this gentleman, Or to her death, according to our law." Egeus wants the law of Athens to be put into function; he wants Hermia to be put to death rather than marry against his wishes. This opening is effective in marking the play as an Elizabethan comedy. There has been order in the beginning with Theseus and Hippolyta talking of their marriage, but this is slowly beginning to tilt towards disorder and unhappiness. Owing to Egeus's anger and orthodoxy, the lovers elope into the woods, bringing us into the second phase of the play, the initiation of chaos. Hermia fleeing to the forest with Lysander has Helena feeling yet more subdued about Demetrius' hatred for her. Helena marks the
