Think not on him till tomorrow. I'll devise thee brave punishments for him. Strike up, pipers!
Think not on him till tomorrow. I'll devise thee brave punishments for him. Strike up, pipers!
"Think not on him till tomorrow. I'll devise thee brave punishments for him. Strike up, pipers!" These words, spoken by the character of Puck in William Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream, encapsulate the mischievous and whimsical nature of the fairy world in the play.Puck, also known as Robin Goodfellow, is a mischievous sprite who serves the fairy king Oberon. In this particular scene, Puck is referring to the character of Bottom, a weaver who has been transformed into a donkey by Oberon's magic. Oberon instructs Puck to lead Bottom to the queen of the fairies, Titania, and to play tricks on him along the way. Puck's words here suggest that he has grand plans for Bottom's punishment, and that he is eager to carry them out.
The phrase "Think not on him till tomorrow" reflects Puck's carefree attitude and his willingness to delay gratification in order to plan a more elaborate punishment for Bottom. Puck's use of the word "brave" to describe the punishments he has in mind suggests that he is excited by the prospect of causing mischief and chaos.
The command to "Strike up, pipers!" adds to the sense of revelry and celebration that pervades the fairy world in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Music is a central element in the play, and the presence of pipers suggests that a festive atmosphere is about to be created. The combination of music and mischief in this scene highlights the playful and unpredictable nature of the fairy world, where anything can happen.
Overall, Puck's words in this scene capture the essence of A Midsummer Night's Dream as a comedy of errors filled with magic, love, and laughter. The character of Puck embodies the spirit of mischief and mayhem that runs throughout the play, and his gleeful anticipation of the punishments he has in store for Bottom adds to the sense of fun and frivolity that Shakespeare creates in this beloved comedy.