William Shakespeare uses many allusions to form connections and points in his plays. These allusions can be derived from many locations from historical events to mythical figures. In his play A Midsummer Nights Dream, Shakespeare uses things such as Hobgoblins and Sprites to add an interesting twist to his play. One of the most vital of these characters in this play is a character by the name of Robin Goodfellow, more commonly known in the play as Puck. Robin Goodfellow is commonly used as a much loved character in many plays and stories.
Robin Goodfellow is portrayed as half-human and half-fairy, or Sprite, Robin Goodfellow's mother was a mortal maid servant and his father was the fairy king. This is how he acquired his Hobgoblin style power of shape-shifting. Hobgoblins are creatures that characteristically are known for their green skin and unsightly looks, these relatives of goblins are variously represented as mischievous and evil. The Puritans believes that all Hobgoblins including Puck were evil, however many countrymen thought of these beings simply as mischievous creatures, who were dearly loved (Briggs 2297). Goodfellow was and example of the Hobgoblins in which the countrymen had spoke of. Although Puck enjoyed laughing and teasing mortals, he was not unable of empathy or kindheartedness.
Robin Goodfellow, (a.ka. Puck) is quite an interesting allusion in which William Shakespeare assimilated into his play A Midsummer Nights Dream. Puck, a half-human, half-fairy, who possesses the Hobgoblin-like trait of shape shifting, despite assumptions is not an evil being, but more so a playful fun loving being. Robin Goodfellow is portrayed in many stories, plays, and other novels as "a minor god", his legacy continues through these stories (Briggs pg.2297). .
Works Cited.
1) Briggs, K.M. . Man, Myth, & Magic. New York: B.P.C. Publishing, 1983.
2) Author (unknown). Brewers Dictionary of Phrase and Fable.
