A Midsummer Night's Dream, Puck's Epilogue, Compilation

At the end of A Midsumme Night's Dream,
William Shakespeare (via Puck), with a nod and a wink,
addresses the audience to tell them
that the play has been a sort of dream.
"Nothing to see here - move along. Move along."
It is one of the most famous of
Shakespear's monologues, and the ideas expressed
appear in several of Shakespeare's plays.
In this clip we see how this scene is played in
several productions-
• Mickey Rooney in the 1935 Max Reinhardt production.
• Ian Holm in a 1968 Peter Hall's Royal Shakespeare
Company production.
• Damien Nash in the 1981 production of
Benjamin Britten's opera.
• Stanley Tucci in Michael Hoffman's 1999 film version.
• Kathryn Hunter in Julie Taymor's 2014 filmed
stage production.
More information on films in John's Catelog may be found here:
prometheusli.co...
ORIGINAL TEXT
 If we shadows have offended,
 Think but this, and all is mended-
 That you have but slumbered 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 unearnèd luck
 Now to ’scape the serpent’s tongue,
 We will make amends ere long.
 Else the Puck a liar call.
 So good night unto you all.
 Give me your hands if we be friends,
 And Robin shall restore amends.

[@arleenfackina9675]

Why is Stanley Tucci the ONLY one not rushing through the monologue? Is he the ONLY one who knows how the character should be portrayed?

[@BabsChannel]

Lol, I'm pretty sure you can't always blame the actor. The director is the one, you know, directing.

[@danilogondim9300]

Because it's motherfucking Stanley Tucci

[@brandonburrell8517]

The last version was powerful. There's no right way to play Puck.

[@SteveSmartPoetryandMusic]

Ian Holm did seem to be a bit... Puck on amphetamines. I thought Mickey Rooney did a surprisingly good job, and I say this as someone who has Never forgiven Mickey Rooney for what he did in Breakfast at Tiffany's. I love Stanley Tucci, but I didn't get why he seemed so mournful (assuming this was a director choice). Kathryn Hunter is the closest to the way I've always imagined Puck, I thought she was delightful and really a great balance between the thoughtfulness of Tucci and some of the more playful versions.

[@aidankeane8971]

Tucci also didn't say the entire speech and broke Shakespeares pentameter, a purest would despise it, the last one, in my opinion came the closet to my heart.

[@DrPlausivel]

I get a pang in my heart when I see Kline wistfully puzzling over his dream, and then Tucci’s look at the camera. Thank you, whoever had the idea.

[@cynthiaennis3107]

That’s a sweet gift of a moment for Bottom! I loved that, too!

[@cynthiaennis3107]

Stanley Tucci...most honest & convincing performance! 😉👏🏼👏🏼. Mickey Rooney...awesome child star! 😃👏🏼👏🏼. Enjoyed Katheryn Hunter as well. Kept driving that point home...Life is but a fleeting dream. Really enjoyed seeing these different endings. Thank you so very much!

[@stupendoushorrendous8258]

Stanley Tucci's version makes me cry for some reason.

[@jinty.and.pug.studios]

Bro same and I was watching this at school

[@lollobello]

There's no "right" way to play Puck. For some people he's a fool but a good guy, for others a spiteful child and for others a malicious demon (no reference to the Cartesian philosophy). I'd say "the more the merrier", especially when some of them are so different that the character can completely surprise you.

[@branphillips9546]

Some combination. He is all of these descriptions: spiteful, childish, kindly, foolish, malicious, and mischievous. Also charming, sly, innocent, and wicked. All of them, but rarely all at once. Puck swings from childish sweetness to a child's merciless cruelty with equal enthusiasm and passion, yet beneath those emotions which do so motivate and inspire him is an ancient mind; unforgiving, scheming, and countless tricks to confound, manipulate, and surprise others with. All in good fun, of course.....until it isn't.

[@robertdeweese9161]

20 years ago, the kid who played Puck for me was amazing. She had beautiful green vines and ivy for makeup. As she spoke the epilogue deliberately and powerfully, and using a small vial of water she had hidden in one hand, she slowly removed her makeup, turning back into an "ordinary" young woman as we watched. It was extremely effective and moving.

[@crabbieappleton]

There may not be a 'right' way, but there are wrong ones.

[@kennethwayne6857]

An especially interesting take on the role is in the production of Britten's opera at the Metropolitan Opera as directed by the brilliant Tim Albery. I saw it when the production was new in 1995 and the role was played by the film actor Nick Stahl. He is a 15-year-old thuggish kid who's been 'groomed' and used as a sexual plaything by Oberon. Now that he's an adolescent and becoming 'difficult', Oberon is looking to replace him with Titania's changeling child. Puck's slouching body language and sneering sidelong glances at the child spoke volumes. The Met last did this production in 2013. Not sure if it's coming back.

[@xyddam7550]

i sorta wanted to see the rendition of Puck from Dead Poets Society in here because that's a personal favourite but i loved these too

[@newsing33]

Yes, that is by far the best performance of Puck that "Neal" played. Just perfect!

[@jeniclark8212]

Stanley Tucci ♥️

[@virabadrasana]

My vote is for Mickey Rooney and Stanley Tucci. Some of the others are terrible, with no depth and rushing. Stanley Tucci has a beautiful, gentle touch. I loved the long pause just before the end. Brilliant Mickey Rooney brings surprise, energy and a wicked edge.

[@PrinceoftheAbyss]

Okay, who gave Bilbo Baggins cocaine? You can't give a hobbit cocaine; their little hearts can't take it.

[@jamesrogers8527]

If we Hobbits over-snorted, Lend us more, and all is sorted.

[@michaelwinchester5003]

@@jamesrogers8527 🤣 This made my night

[@scottanderson2458]

​@@jamesrogers8527😂

[@scottanderson2458]

In the same way as you can't give a baby booze

[@jamespina6416]

😂😂😂😂

[@theaternerd4885]

Loved Stanley Tucci! His calm and gentle tone gave me goosebumps!

[@WJC981]

I thought they were all rather good, however I couldn't take much away from Ian Holme since he pretty much rushed through it. I've never seen Puck played by a woman, and I think Kathryn Hunter gave a unique interpretation to the role.

[@suzybearheart530]

I played Puck in 9th grade, in my school play. (I'm female) I really like Mickey Rooney's Puck, and Tucci as well.

[@naly202]

Am I the only one who thinks Bottom is the cutest and most heartwarming character in the play? (Especially as portrayed by Kevin Klein)

[@arleenfackina9675]

Nope, I think Kevin did a great job with the Shakespearian dialogue and he's hot too. :)

[@PhilRounds]

I think Nick Bottom is every man, on one day or the other......Who partakes of paradise and then must return to reality.......and with a sigh, carries on with life. :)

[@citizen1163]

James Cagney's version for me!

[@Umbra_Magna777]

I agree! He’s one of my favorite characters, and Kevin Kline’s portrayal is wonderful and always makes me smile. :)

[@katiez.7622]

Agreed! I loved both Kline’s and Cagney’s performances in the role!

[@ThatKarin]

I could listen to Tucci for hours.

[@jinty.and.pug.studios]

I watched the 1999 movie today in class and for some reason the ending kinda made me cry for some reason

[@abnerdupuis7110]

Tucci won that. No questions.

[@aidankeane8971]

Hard disagree, he cut out most of the speech. Not his fault it was a directorial choice

[@TBStudios91]

Ian Holm's version was a bit schizophrenic

[@jinburgess1659]

The ending when Bottom sees the fairy's is beautiful. (Michael Hoffman's 1999 film version)

[@ryanlitster8993]

Rooney equals Puck! Facial expression and everything amazing. Wonder after that door closed did Mickey Rooney do? Imagine finishing a production like that.

[@newsing33]

Neil Perry in "Dead Poet's Society" is by far the best performance of Puck. Ever. Hands down!

[@saunteringvaguelydownwards6308]

I wish I could somehow see a full cut of the play from that film- even though it’s impossible 😢

[@newsing33]

@@saunteringvaguelydownwards6308 oh I wish! I would love to see that so much!

[@saunteringvaguelydownwards6308]

@@newsing33 I’d love to hear that actor do a reading of the full play as an audio book, or similar.

[@newsing33]

@@saunteringvaguelydownwards6308 me too. He did the role of Puck so perfectly I wish we could see him do the whole play! Or hear the audio version of the play yes.

[@DantheMan2605]

I love Puck because he’s played by Stanley Tucci

[@hokehinson5987]

No one out does the Tucci....hes got puck!

[@kiraalialeeonfairythegreenone]

Mickey Rooney was the best and most memorable Puck. Cheeky, wicked, humorous, defiant...a great performance by a child actor. The black and white, 1935 movie is by far, the best of the Midsummer Night's movies... beautifully magical... and extremely funny, as it's meant to be. Shakespeare would have enjoyed the 1935 version, I'm sure 💛

[@paigevictoria9592]

1. A tiny child with a bowl cut 2. Shrek with 80s graphics 3. Ginger standing on furniture 4. Janitor with.... horns?? 5. I can’t even comprehend what the heck that is

[@tizcoloko]

Paige Victoria aghhh picky girl, no amends for you.

[@humanbean1964]

Paige Victoria we would love to see you perform this. Obviously you are the world’s most knowledgable on the works of the great bard!

[@f.w.3823]

The first one isnt perfect but classic.The second sounds like he is on the run. The third was something. Number four was my personal favorite closely followed by number 5.

[@martythetickler]

This is why, if I were anything resembling an actor and I were cast in this play, I would ALWAYS choose to play Puck.

[@prestongraham8957]

Tucci gang

[@tylerharris7081]

When you think about it, this soliloquy is the ultimate response to anyone who gets unreasonably offended by a fictional story.

[@GioiaMancuso]

The last one is the best. Definitely

[@colormetakenaback486]

Stanley Tucci 😍😍

[@citizen1163]

Mickey Rooney IS Puck!

[@newsing33]

Agreed! ❤️

[@kiraalialeeonfairythegreenone]

Absolutely yes!!!

[@NOEYEDGURL]

THE FUCKING NAKED GREEN MAN IM GONNA CRY

[@gregfloh7732]

Max Reinhard version is unbeatable. Even I love Tucci

[@Sairin13]

I like Gucci's the best, though the rest were interesting, I must admit when I woke today I wasn't expecting a nearly naked Ian Holm painted green, but it was good, I wish he had played it more like his Alice "A sitting on the gate" monologue.

[@Kk-fc5jw]

Katherine Hunter’s performance was on point

[@handlesarecringe957]

Audio desynced hard there

[@Edberk_]

Crazy that puck is mimir in gow ragnorok

[@lonewanderer1328]

mimir was a lad back then...

[@suzybearheart530]

The last one gives me a really creepy feeling. Wish I wasn't watching this at bedtime!

[@billlivezey1013]

Stanley Tucci .... legend

[@jamesmckean3221]

If we shadows have offended...

[@dikshagaur2939]

Love you Shakespeare 💗💗📖📖

[@jamesrogers8527]

Good friend, Shakespeare has not uploaded for many a year.

[@ShebbaRod]

Tucci is so damn good...

[@grahamc8840]

It is great to be able to compare five very different versions of the same text, though would probably need to see each in the context of the complete performance to make a proper judgment. Based on these clips alone, I must say that I find the last one, Kathryn Hunter, to be the most convincing and this did inspire me to track down more clips from this unusual production.

[@thelonewolf2476]

I love this movie

[@spiderlillies-ho8yp]

did the 2nd one need to rush to the bathroom or something

[@anyataubman8217]

The second one has the exact same vibe as the berries and cream song. Please tell me I'm not the only one seeing this?

[@tommycosmos6862]

*Neil Perry 😂

[@tobiiiiiiiiiiii_m]

Sounds like the warmest heartfelt apology for any type of trouble or discomfort the puck had caused but “Robin will restore amends” sounds like a lil threat, if I be honest.

[@brianstryker4536]

I had a film class in high school where they showed us the 99 version and it was the movie that got me interested in this play and to this day it might be my favorite piece of all of Billy's works. I especially love Tucci as puck

[@shinchannohara4050]

Puck was looking like hulk😂🤣

[@kelseywhelihan9659]

Thích những người bên đạo dậy đàn hay như vậy:)).

[@Blokewood3]

The Ian Holm version is waaaayyy too fast. Even as a kid, I thought something was wrong when I saw that delivery.

[@user-vk9zi6fl3l]

Emmanuel Macron is great in green body paint

[@marchfast8291]

Sacre vert! 😮

[@PolliDick]

Every Time I see the scene with Stanley Tucci as the Puck, I get goose bumps all over. These warm quiet Voice in this slow monologue...wow.

[@brettdando]

And if the KZbin has offended, Watch but this and all is mended...

[@wipplerlaboratories3480]

Mickey Rooney kills it. Best version

[@cynthiaennis3107]

WIPPLER LABORATORIES He really did a amazing job for a child actor! He looked much younger than he was! (I read that he broke a leg before filming was done & they had to do certain scenes around that one leg...changing the scene up, so they could get the job done!) What a career he had!

[@newsing33]

Totally agree! ❤️

[@Lost_01]

oh the fairy is called Robin not Puck...oops

[@valentinatenedini3272]

Can someone please explain the line... 'And Robin shall restore amend' Who or what is Robin? Thanks.

[@DrPlausivel]

Puck and Robin Goodfellow are two different names for the same sprite.

[@Blokewood3]

Robin Goodfellow is his personal name, Puck is the type of sprite he is. A puck is a sort of mischievous hobgoblin.

[@sandpiperr]

Puck is Robin.

[@jamesrogers8527]

In the original: Robin Hood charged unto the fore, ready to amends restore.

[@larapalma3744]

Voices out of synch Some sped up

[@jamesrogers8527]

If you pardon, he will mend.

[@jasoncromwell4206]

Is is just me or does Ian Holm look like 70s Incredible Hulk? Like Biblo Smash

[@jasoncromwell4206]

I obviously meant Bilbo smash

[@shannonaudette7307]

#4 the best by far

[@pentegarn1]

Us Sons of Robin thank thee.

[@JoeHarkinsHimself]

Why does every version I've ever seen mis-interpret the penultimate line? "Give me your hands, if we be friends" is always performed with both of Puck's hands outstretched, appearing to ask that they be grasped in friendship, explicitly or figuratively . . . but definitely, grapsed. But that's not my reading. I perform it by demonstrating, as I start to say those words, that I am seeking approval in the form of applause. One of these versions come close but even then, starts the applause gesture after the grapsing gesture, almost as an afterthought.

[@goodtimes8229]

Interesting. How do you know that this is the correct interpretation?

[@jamesrogers8527]

Applause!

[@themermaidstale5008]

I also believe it’s a solicitation for applause. Mickey Rooney claps his hands once to clue the audience. Damien Nash, in fact, does applaud in his version.

[@peterstolzer2586]

For what it's worth, in scholarly interpretations/footnotes to texts I have seen during my 30+ years as an English teacher, the words are usually interpreted as soliciting applause.

[@ninokatsitadze7787]

Mickey Rooney is best ❤

[@laweyh9418]

Mikey Rooney was the best puck

[@stevenwiederholt7000]

I Really Love the 1935 version.

[@virabadrasana]

I read a deep and mystical statement in it. Life is but a dream. It resonates with Vedic views about the world. There is great gentleness along with wickedness. The strumpet Fortune. All the world's a stage... Shakespeare says similar things elsewhere.

[@redboat1234]

lol💩1:49

[@justintai8725]

Fabulous, thanks so much for the upload

[@RADAR_365]

But puck wtf

[@SpiceBear]

Not gonna lie, my favorite recitation of this is in Dead Poets Society. Great video 💯

[@MrBazzabee]

The one at 1:19 is crap....far too fast.

[@clivehampshire6531]

Newest first

[@tonyyoung3985]

I once did this speech at a reading while chewing on an onion and laughing like a maniac somewhere in the middle.

[@nicholaspask-ug3hv]

Ian Holm had the perfect voice for his one

[@rhythmman747]

I can see how Mario's voice is based off this character

[@dylansearcy3966]

The first one reminds me of Peter pan

[@tonyaustin4629]

1. Hunter 2. Tucci 3. Rooney YMMV

[@dylansearcy3966]

1:30 its old man bilbo baggins

[@lucasmarichal28]

🥷🏿🖤

[@Puck42]

Katherine Hunter FTW

[@DragonPrincessAoife]

The last one is best.

[@juliansmith4987]

Kathryn ate them up

[@tbj9123]

MS CARNEY

[@boop7354]

2:47 and 5:00

[@AndrewPsycho23]

1:46

[@ehong3398]

The last one sounds like SpongeBob

[@themermaidstale5008]

Robin Williams, I think.

[@tonybarde2572]

Dr Abraham Erskine

[@JZL-Arkerivon]

2:48

[@chris92S]

2:51

[@orionfigonachi]

Who know the song in the 3:20?

[@amypoole2464]

orionfigonachi Cavalleria rusticana - Intermezzo - It's just a small piece of it that's played in the film. If you Google the soundtrack most if not all the songs come up.

[@Kk-fc5jw]

Mickey Rooney’s was the worst performance…….

[@ricesly]

THE 1999 MOVIE WAS 🍑

[@whiteknight5796]

I hate this

[@jamesrogers8527]

Gentle, do not reprehend.

[@kiraalialeeonfairythegreenone]

Be gone thou usurper of joy... I shall smote thee... thou wickedest of all trolls.

[@wctazer9612]

I don't like English class

[@Emily.Orcinus]

Real

[@gumbydav2039]

I wrote Shakespeare when I was Satan. God then renamed me Azazel because it means scapegoat. He renamed me because of how I wrote satyrs in Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream, specifically Puck. You're welcome. I'm also the Christ. I'm the second son of God. I wrote Shakespeare into existence. I'll be known as the "great light" in the darkness, "Wonderful Counselor," "Might God," "Everlasting Father," and "Prince of Peace" as prophesied in Isaiah 9:1-7. I plan on rewriting Shakespeare when I get back into Heaven so they'll be more like Midsummer Night's Dream. I plan on writing newer creations as well. Then depending if my mother becomes an Ontologist and gets into Heaven or not, I plan on starving myself and having a third play through. This is my second time doing this timeline. During my third timeline, I'm getting everyone a free pass into Heaven.

[@John-kd4ef]

You defile God with your blasphemous statements. You live in a fool's paradise.

[@huseinfathalla6709]

This vid gets a dislike

[@huseinfathalla6709]

Let's be honest here. We are only watching this BS because we need to

[@LaurieChristina]

Lol I’m glad I needed to, it warmed my heart.

[@chandrajambu1751]

Excellent characters.