Although his tricks make people uncomfortable, he is not truly malevolent. He is bound by Oberon's rules for the fairy and cannot cause direct harm to humans. He is the master of the loophole and so that is not always a safety. His attitude towards mortals in Shakespeare's play suggests that he does not cause harm because he cannot, not because he wouldn't in pursuit of some sport. He casts an ironic eye on humanity. Thinking people fools, he loves to toy with them. He delights in mischief-making, and subterfuge. He's the childlike antidote to Oberon's seriousness; that's why he's jester as well as jokester. Puck has many magical powers. Ventriloquism, shape-shifting, and unnatural speed being among them. He is sometimes much like Pan from Greek myths in his meddling in the affairs of lovers and using cupid's love potions. He tells us, in the play, that he likes to take on the forms of animals and communicates with them. He is also much like the demi-god Hermes from Greek literature. Like him, he is often used as a go-between for his superiors to the "lesser" beings. He is seen as a servant of Oberon though he has an independent spirit and he regards his lord with respect and perhaps a little fear.
Puck is the character who interacts most directly with the audience. He is very quick, being able to circle the earth in 40 minutes, which may suggest some interdimensional travel abilities. As an extra irony Puck steps out of the play at the end of the play to suggest that the whole thing may of itself been a dream in which the audience maybe the players, thus brings to question the aspect of reality. =)
"Amongst the rest was a good fellow devill So called in kindness, cause he did no evill, Known by the name of Robin (as we heare) And that his eyes as big as saucers were, Who came at nights, and would make kitchens cleane And in the bed bepinch a lazy queane, Was much in Milles about the grinding meale (And sure I take it, taught the Miller steale), Among the creame bowles, and milk pans would be, And with the country wenches, who but hee."
~ The Devil is an Ass ~
"If we shadows have offended, Think but this, and all is mended, That you have but slumber'd here While these visions did appear. And this weak and idle theme, No more yielding but a dream, Gentles, do not reprehend; if you pardon, we will mend; And, as I am an honest Puck If we have unearned luck Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue We will make amends ere long; So, goodnight unto you all. Give me your hands, if we be friends, And Robin shall restore amends."
~ Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream~
