Theetymology ofpuck was 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]
[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]
The character Robin Goodfellow, also referred to as "The puck, Robin Goodfellow" and Hobgoblin, appears as a vassal of the Fairy KingOberon in William Shakespeare's 1595/96 playA Midsummer Night's Dream, and is responsible for the mischief that occurs.
The character also appears inGrim the Collier of Croydon (1660, but perhaps based on an earlier play). It is unknown how Shakespeare's Puck appeared on the stage; but the figure inGrim was costumed "in a suit of leather close to his body; his face and hands coloured russet-coloured, with a flail."[citation needed]
An early 17th century broadside balladThe Mad Merry Pranks of Robin Goodfellow describes the character as theemissary ofOberon, the Fairy King of the Night, inspiring night-terrors in old women but also carding their wool while they sleep, leading travellers astray, taking the shape of animals, blowing out the candles to kiss the girls in the darkness, twitching off their bedclothes, or making them fall out of bed on the cold floor, tattling secrets, and changing babes in cradles with elflings.[9]
John Milton, inL'Allegro tells "how the drudgingGoblin swet / To earn his cream-bowle" by threshing a week's worth of grain in a night, and then, "Basks at the fire his hairy strength." Milton's Puck is not small and sprightly, but nearer to aGreen Man or a hairywoodwose. An illustration of Robin Goodfellow from 1639 represents the influence ofPan imagery, giving Puck the hindquarters,cloven hooves and horns of a goat.[10]
The Mad Pranks of Robin Goodfellow, by John Franklin, engraving by Edward Dalziel, 1845
Robin Goodfellow appears in 'The Mad Pranks of Robin Goodfellow', Gammer Gurton's Pleasant Stories of Patient Grissel, The Princess Rosetta, & Robin Goodfellow, and Ballads of the Beggar's Daughter, The Babes in the Wood, and Fair Rosamond, 1845.[11]
Robin Goodfellow appears in an 1856 speech byKarl Marx: "In the signs that bewilder the middle class, the aristocracy and the poor profits of regression, we recognize our brave friend Robin Goodfellow, the old mole that can work the earth so fast, that worthy pioneer – the Revolution."[12]
The 1989Manga seriesBerserk written and illustrated byKentaro Miura. Set in a medieval Europe-inspireddark fantasy world features a character named Puck (パック, Pakku) who resembles a small fairy or pixie like creature (though he is technically an elf).
In the Disney cartoonGargoyles, Puck is one of several Shakespearean characters with recurring roles. He is something of an antagonist, but his mischief can also help the heroes.
Puck is a main character inJulie Kagawa's 2010–2015The Iron Fey Series, along with other characters fromA Midsummer Night's Dream. Puck is also the main protagonist in Kagawa's The Iron Raven (2021), the first book in The Iron Fey: Evenfall series.[13]
Since 1998, a Canadian artist calling himself ElectricGecko has drawn a weekly comic strip called "Puck" in which the ancient fairy is incarnated as a young-appearing red-haired Canadian woman living in Hamilton, Ontario.
^Gammer Gurton's Pleasant Stories of Patient Grissel, The Princess Rosetta, & Robin Goodfellow, and Ballads of the Beggar's Daughter, The Babes in the Wood, and Fair Rosamond. Printed for Joseph Cundall, 1845,State Library of New South Wales DSM/821.04/T
