Puck (Shakespeare)
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Puck, also known as Robin Goodfellow, is a character in William Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream.
A fairy spirit Oberon. He freely admits to being "a shrewd and knavish sprite." He is sent by Oberon to fetch the flower "love-in-idleness" and is told to apply its juice to the eyes of a youth "in Athenian garments." He erroneously administers the charm to the sleeping Lysander. He provides Nick Bottom with a donkey's head, and scatters the "mechanicals" with strange sounds. He enjoys the confusion brought about by his blunders. Later, he is ordered by Oberon to produce a dark fog, and to lead the rival lovers astray within it by imitating their voices, and then to apply a counter-charm to Lysander's eyes.
- If we shadows have offended,
- Think but this and all is mended.
- That you have but slumbered here,
- While these visions did appear.
- And this weak and idle theme,
- No more yielding than a dream.
- Gentles, do not reprehend,
- If you pardon, we will mend.
- And, as I am an honest Puck,
- If we have unnearned luck,
- Now to 'scape the serpents' tongue,
- We will make amends, ere long,
- Else the Puck a liar call,
- So good night unto you all.
- Give me your hands if we be friends,
- And Robin shall restore amends.
See also
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