Kianat Zamir, A midsummer night’s dream post 2
The character that I want to look at now is Puck, yes he is introduced in Scene 2 but he also creates a lot of tension for the lovers that has an upside down turn of events. It is because of Oberon that the tension has started in the first place, he was trying to make Demetrius fall in love with Helena because he was so cruel to her, but Puck thinks that Lysander is Demetrius and places the love potion on him, so that when Lysander awakes and sees Helena he falls in love with her, and when Puck tries to undo his mistake he ends up making both Lysander and Demetrius in love with Helena and they both want to fight as well as Hermia does with Helena.
Puck is a very interesting character from the beginning of the story, he is mischievous but tends to be good and make everything back to normal for our four main characters. Do you think that Oberon should have trusted Puck in the first place with the love potion? Do you think that Puck likes to do a good thing once in a while or is he naturally mischievous and got a good laugh out of what he did to the four lovers? Why do you think that Puck is a follower of Oberon instead of Titania, should he have been a follower of Titania?
As for Oberon, he hates his wife at the moment but does good for the four lovers by setting them straight and having them fall in love with the right person. Why do you think this is?
-Kianat Zamir
Category: Character Watcher 8 comments »
May 17th, 2009 at 11:18 am
To answer your first question, I do not believe that Puck would be the best choice to give any instructions to unless you want chaos. Puck seems to be very forgetful when it comes to obeying instructions. Oberon should not have trusted Puck, but you have got to admit, it was quite funny!
For your second question, I think that Puck tries to do good and just happens to have a mischievous nature as well. He can fix any problems he causes so what is the harm in letting the problems appear. He likes to help people out; you can see that by the way he obeys Oberon. I just think he likes to make the way he obeys interesting.
In response to your third question, I believe that Oberon and Puck are well matched as leader and subordinate. Oberon seems to support mischief more than his wife while Puck seems to live as if mischief were a real creature and they were related. Puck’s character seems to be almost the comic relief of Oberon’s tricks.
For your final question Oberon does not strike me as a character bent on hatred and anger. He seems mischievous but also, judging from the way that he made everyone fall in love with the right person, very caring as well. He seems to be a pretty nice guy, once he is a bit more explained and you see more of his actions.
Well, there is my response for you!
-Jenni Kantor
May 17th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
The 3rd act begins with a meeting in the forest. Bottom says that they need to change the play because they will be performing in front of a large amount of nobles. They all are worried that the suicide scene will scare the women. They decide to make sure they know that no one is really dying. They next assign a part of ‘the wall.’ Puck comes in and messes with Bottom, turning his head into an ‘ass.’ All of the crew run for their lives in fear. Titania awakes and falls in love with the ‘ass-headed creature.’ She says that a bunch of fairies grant his every wish. He says that his friends have acted like asses; how ironic!!!
The second scene starts when Puck tells Oberon that his plan is working. They both realize that a serious mistake has been made and that Puck needs to fix it. Demitrius cannot find Lysander and he fears he is dead. Hermia then goes to look for Lysander. Helena is angry and hurt that Lysander is following her and mocking her. Oberon sends Puck to put the potion on Demirtius. When he awakes he falls in love with Helena. Hermia gets angry with both of them when they declare their love; she still thinks they are mocking her. Helena yells at Hermia and says that this is just a joke, and how could you treat our friendship like this? The two boys are ready to fight. The two girls are about to brawl also. The boys then storm off into the forest and Hermia is amazed with the turn of events. Oberon then tells Puck to stop the fight. All four of the lovers fall asleep and in the morning, Puck says that everything is going to be alright.
(Words will come later)
-Dan
May 17th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
I did this much earlier but no one posted before I did so please check this! i put it on some random person’s blog.
-Dan
May 17th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
For your first question, I agree with Jenny in the fact that Puck doesn’t know what he is doing. He seems to be like a person who is done what he is told without any thought and usually messes it up. He is not the best choice to give instructions to.
I think that Puck did not try to do what he did. Maybe once he did he thought it was funny? I think that yes, naturally he can get himself and others in trouble. I would not blame him for intentionally doing what he did.
I think he follows Oberon becuase he has nothing better to do. He finds joy in being ordered around, almost important? I don’t really see where Jenny is coming from when she says he is comic relief?
Finally, I agree with Jenny and do not think that Oberon is a hateful person. He cares because he wants the right people to be together, but it went out of his control. He tries to fix it. He is a hard character to read.
-Dan
May 17th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
I think it’s hard to say that Oberon should not have trusted Puck because this story is not about good and evil. It is meant to be funny. There was no harm intended, so it’s all in good fun. I think that Puck likes to good things once in a while. All the characters are good natured in this story.
Titania probably does not appeal to Puck as much as Oberon, because Titania seems like a demanding character. Notice that the word “titan” is in her name. Oberon also seems like a mischief maker, so the two get along.
I don’t think that Oberon hates his wife. It is a comedy and the fairy world does not seem like bad things can happen. I don’t see why one event would have any bearing on the other. Oberon probably finds it amusing and decides to join in on the fun.
-Brandon
May 17th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Dan, good summary, as usual. Not much that can be said about it, as there are no questions. Where are the words???
-Brandon
May 17th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
I wish you luck on your quest to find the words, Dan! Terrific, short and sweet summary!
-Jenni Kantor
May 17th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Great summary Dan, it’s short and to the point! Lol, you posted on some random person’s no wonder i couldn’t find it!
Kianat