Midsummer Night's Dream Essay

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William Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream utilizes the technique of multiple characters playing leading roles. The fairy character Puck stands out as a dominant and leading role in the play. Puck is the best fit for the role of the protagonist because he is mischievous and therefore, has the ability to change the outcome of the play through his schemes and actions. As the protagonist, Puck is responsible for creating the major conflict that occurs between the four lovers throughout the play. This is important because the play focuses on the lives and relationships of the lovers. In addition, because of Puck’s interaction with these characters, his actions throughout the play, alters the final outcome. Finally, Puck’s relationship with all the mortals in the play, his connection to his fellow fairies, and the bond he has with his boss, King Oberon make him the best choice for a protagonist. Puck influences the plot with his use of the love potion by altering the lovers’ fates. This is supported by the quote, “Churl, upon thy eyes I throw All the power this charm doth owe. When thou wakest, let love forbid Sleep his seat on thy eyelid:” (II, II, 77-80). This quote is one of Puck’s many monologues in the play. In this quote, Puck is talking out loud as he is sprinkling the love potion on Lysander, who he believes to be Demetrius. When Lysander wakens the effects of the love potion creates conflict between him and Demetrius, and also between him and Helena and Hermia. The men are fighting for Helena’s love and attention which causes Hermia to become jealous of Helena. Hermia is also quite confused because when she went into the forest she had two suitors, Demetrius and Lysander. After the love potion is sprinkled ... ... middle of paper ... ...uote, Puck and King Oberon share a good laugh as pals and reflect on how their plans are falling into place perfectly. In the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the fairy King Oberon’s servant, Puck, is notably the best fit as the protagonist in the play. He has interactions with nearly all of the characters in the play whether they are cognisant of the interaction or not. His behaviour, and the plot twists he creates, serve not only to make the play interesting, but also humorous. If a protagonist’s role is to be the main character, and through their actions keep the readers and viewers on the edge of their seat, then Robin “Puck” Goodfellow has certainly accomplished that task. He is justified in the role of the protagonist in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Works Cited 1.A Midsummers Night's Dream Second Edition. Canada: Harcourt Canada Ltd., 1931.

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