In A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Shakespeare, Nick Bottom, a weaver, signs up to play Pyramus and whichever other roles he can get his hands on, in a production of “Pyramus and Thisby” set to show at Theseus and Hippolyta’s wedding. Little does he know that things behind the scenes are not as smooth as Theseus wishes they would be, and Bottom may just get wrapped into it. From being turned into an ass to falling in love with the queen of the faeries, Bottom’s characteristics certainly shine through. His general malapropism and over-confidence propel the play’s comedic storyline, and his bad luck helps him fit all of the stories together in the end. Bottom, played such an important role in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, whether he wanted to, or not.
One of Bottom’s most recognizable traits is his arrogance. Bottom thinks that he is a better actor than he actually is, and offers to play everyone in their production saying, “An I may hide my face, let me play Thisby too.” (Act I Scene ii Lines 46-49). Bottom’s arrogance is what gives Puck the idea to turn him into an ass, and is the main reason why it works so well. Bottom does not seem to be fazed by Titania’s sudden love for him; he seems to believe it. However, he later says, “Methinks, mistress, you should have little reason for that: …show more content…
His seemingly constant ignorance and never-ending arrogance make him into a very comedic figure. However, there is more to him than at first glance. Bottom is a hilarious character in the play, and perfectly weaves all three storylines together. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a play that needs some comic relief to break up the strangely intense tension, Bottom provides, while still being a quite needed plot point. In the end, Bottom actually does end up playing more than one role; the important plot-advancing character, and the humorously bad actor. Although, he does not realize how well he fits into the latter
One of Bottom’s most recognizable traits is his arrogance. Bottom thinks that he is a better actor than he actually is, and offers to play everyone in their production saying, “An I may hide my face, let me play Thisby too.” (Act I Scene ii Lines 46-49). Bottom’s arrogance is what gives Puck the idea to turn him into an ass, and is the main reason why it works so well. Bottom does not seem to be fazed by Titania’s sudden love for him; he seems to believe it. However, he later says, “Methinks, mistress, you should have little reason for that: …show more content…
His seemingly constant ignorance and never-ending arrogance make him into a very comedic figure. However, there is more to him than at first glance. Bottom is a hilarious character in the play, and perfectly weaves all three storylines together. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a play that needs some comic relief to break up the strangely intense tension, Bottom provides, while still being a quite needed plot point. In the end, Bottom actually does end up playing more than one role; the important plot-advancing character, and the humorously bad actor. Although, he does not realize how well he fits into the latter