InEnglish folklore, The Puck (/ˈpʌk/), also known asGoodfellows, aredemons orfairies which can bedomesticsprites ornature sprites.
Theetymology ofpuck is uncertain.[1] The modern English word is attested already inOld English aspuca (with a diminutive formpucel). Similar words are attested later inOld Norse (púki, with related forms includingOld Swedishpuke,Icelandicpúki, andFrisianpuk) but also in theCeltic languages (Welshpwca,Cornishbucca andIrishpúca). Most commentators think that the word was borrowed from one of these neighbouring north-west European languages into the others, but it is not certain in what direction the borrowing went, and all vectors have been proposed by scholars. TheOxford English Dictionary favoured a Scandinavian origin, while the scholarly study by Erin Sebo ofFlinders University argues for an Irish origin, on the basis that the word is widely distributed in Irish place-names, whereaspuck-place-names in English are rare and late in the areas showing Old Norse influence, and seem rather to radiate outwards fromSouth West England, which she argues had Irish influence during theEarly Middle Ages.[2]
Puck may also be calledThe Goodfellows orHobgoblin,[3] in whichHob may substitute forRob orRobin. This goes back to the character "Robin Goodfellow" and his name. The nameRobin isMiddle English in origin, deriving fromOld FrenchRobin, the pet form for the nameRobert. Similar to the use of "the good folk" in describing fairies, it reflected a degree ofwishful thinking and an attempt to appease the fairies, recognizing their fondness offlattery despite theirmischievous nature.[4]
The earliest reference to "Robin Goodfellow" cited by theOxford English Dictionary is from 1531.Anthony Munday mentions Robin Goodfellow in his playThe Two Italian Gentlemen, 1584, and he appears inSkialtheia, or a Shadowe of Truth in 1598.William Shakespeare may have had access to the manuscript ofLewes Lewkenor's translation ofThe Spanish Mandevile of Miracles, or, The Garden of Curious Flowers (1600), a translation ofAntonio de Torquemada'sJardín de Flores Curiosas. The following passage fromThe Spanish Mandeville discusses the mischievous spirits:
Luduvico: I pray you let me somewhat understand your opinion as concerning Robingoodfellowes and Hobgoblins, which are said to be so common, that there is scarcely any man but will tell you one tale or other of them, of which for my own part, I believe none, but do make reckoning that every man forgeth herein, what pleaseth him.
Antonio: Many of them without doubt are forged, and many also true, for these kinds of Spirits are more familiar and domestical than the others, and for some causes to us unknown, abide in one place, more than in another, so that some never almost depart from some particular houses, as though they were their proper mansions, making in them sundry noises, rumours, mockeries, gawdes and jests, without doing any harm at all: and though I am not myself witness thereof, yet I have heard many persons of credit affirm that they have heard them play as it were onGyterns &Jews Harps, and ring Bells, and that they answer to those that call them, and speak with certain signs, laughters and merry gestures, so that those of the house come at last to be so familiar and well acquainted with them that they fear them not at all. But in truth, as I said before, if they had free power to put in practice their malicious desire, we should find these pranks of theirs, not to be jests, but earnest indeed, tending to the destruction of both our body and soul, but as I told you before, this power of theirs is so restrained and tied, that they can pass no farther than to jests and gawdes: and if they do any harm or hurt at all, it is certain very little, as by experience we daily see.[5]
AfterGiacomo Meyerbeer's successful operaRobert le Diable (1831),neo-medievalists andoccultists began to apply the nameRobin Goodfellow tothe Devil, with appropriatelyextravagant imagery.[citation needed]
According toBrewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898):
[Robin Goodfellow is a] "drudging fiend", and merry domestic fairy, famous for mischievous pranks and practical jokes. At night-time he will sometimes do little services for the family over which he presides. TheScots call thisdomestic spirit abrownie; the Germans,Kobold orKnecht Ruprecht.Scandinavians called itNissë God-dreng. Puck, thejester of Fairy-court, is the same.
Puck might do minor housework, quick fine needlework or butter-churning, which could be undone in a moment by his knavish tricks if displeased.[6] A domestic spirit, he would assist housewives with their chores, in expectation of an offering of white bread and milk. If this were neglected he would steal that which he believed was owed.[4]
Pucks are also known to be inherently solitary creatures. Shakespeare's characterization of "shrewd and knavish" Puck inA Midsummer Night's Dream may have revived flagging interest in Puck.[7]
This list excludes Shakespearean references. They may be found atPuck (A Midsummer Night's Dream).
