They are fairies; he that speaks to them shall die. I'll wink and couch; no man their works must eye

They are fairies; he that speaks to them shall die. I'll wink and couch; no man their works must eye

In William Shakespeare's play "A Midsummer Night's Dream," the character Puck speaks these words in Act II, Scene I. Puck, also known as Robin Goodfellow, is a mischievous fairy who serves the fairy king Oberon. In this particular scene, Puck is warning the audience about the dangers of encountering the fairies in the forest.

The line "They are fairies; he that speaks to them shall die" suggests that the fairies are not to be trifled with. In Shakespeare's time, fairies were often seen as powerful and unpredictable beings who could bring both blessings and curses upon mortals. By warning that speaking to the fairies could result in death, Puck is emphasizing the otherworldly nature of these creatures and the potential consequences of crossing them.

"I'll wink and couch; no man their works must eye" further emphasizes the secretive and mysterious nature of the fairies. Puck is suggesting that it is best for mortals to avoid observing the fairies' actions, as doing so could lead to dire consequences. By "winking and couching," Puck is indicating that he will keep his own actions hidden from view, further underscoring the idea that the fairies operate in a realm beyond mortal understanding.

Overall, these lines serve to highlight the magical and dangerous world of the fairies in "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Shakespeare uses the character of Puck to convey the sense of wonder and fear that the fairies inspire in mortals. The warning that speaking to the fairies could result in death adds a sense of urgency and danger to the play, while the suggestion to avoid observing the fairies' works adds an element of mystery and intrigue.