The purpose of this paper is to discuss Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream and how he creates such enticing characters that lure the reader into the fairy world through their language, imagery, and characterization. Yet, of these creations, one character truly has a gift to take the audience on a spectacular journey through fairyland. This character is Puck, also known as Robin Goodfellow. Puck can be said to be the readers guide in fairyland through his use of language and the aid of Shakespeare's dreamy imagery.
             In A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare masterly creates many characters and illuminates them with such extreme characterization that the reader is almost enchanted by their qualities. This characterization is shown immediately when the fairy world is introduced into the play. A fairy asks the question:
             "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..." (II.i.31-35)
            
             This statement catches the readers ear because we see instantly that Puck is one of magic and mischief. This enchantment is furthered when Puck so cleverly answers "Thou speakest aright; I am that merry wanderer of the night". (Act II.i: 43-44) This furthers the characterization of Puck by clarifying to the reader that Puck truly is a mischievous creature of the night. Shakespeare then goes on to add bit by bit to Pucks characterization by showing the reader certain qualities the fairy posses. For example, Puck loves to boast about everything he can do that other fairies cannot even dream of doing. When Oberon wants the mystical flower Puck brags that he will "put a girdle round about the earth in forty minutes." (II.i 175-176)
             Shakespeare also gives Puck characteristics of loyalty, sarcasm, and mischievousness. First, Puck shows his loyalty to Oberon with statements like "Fear n...