Act 4, Scene 2

Why do you think Shakespeare chose to end the play the way he did? [Enter QUINCE, FLUTE, SNOUT, and STARVELING] This short scene serves as something like ‘breathing space’ after all the high-paced action that has gone before. It also acts as a ‘bridge’ to the next act. The drama starts with the question of who will marry whom, so it would be logical and usual for it to end when this issue has been resolved – as it was in the previous scene. Instead, there is a whole fifth act to come, devoted to the mechanicals’ play and the blessing of the fairies. This scene sets the audience’s expectation that the mechanicals’ play will be seen at the wedding feast. Some early productions were so baffled by this that they left out Act V altogether, or placed ‘Pyramus and Thisbe’ earlier in the play. Why do you think Shakespeare chose to end the play the way he did?

QUINCE: Have you sent to Bottom's house ? is he come home yet? STARVELING: He cannot be heard of. Out of doubt he is transported. FLUTE: If he come not, then the play is marred: it goes not forward, doth it? QUINCE: It is not possible: you have not a man in all Athens able to discharge Pyramus but he. Dramatic irony allows to enjoy the discomfort of the mechanicals – we know that Bottom will return suddenly and anticipate the change in atmosphere ahead. BOTTOM: Where are these lads? where are these hearts? QUINCE: Bottom! O most courageous day! O most happy hour!

BOTTOM: Masters, I am to discourse wonders: but ask me not what; for if I tell you, I am no true Athenian. I will tell you every thing, right as it fell out. QUINCE: Let us hear, sweet Bottom. BOTTOM: Not a word of me. All that I will tell you is, that the duke hath dined. Get your apparel together, good strings to your beards, new ribbons to your pumps; meet presently at the palace; every man look o'er his part; for the short and the long is, our play is preferred. In any case, let Thisby have clean linen; and let not him that plays the lion pair his nails, for they shall hang out for the lion's claws. And, most dear actors, eat no onions nor garlic, for we are to utter sweet breath; and I do not doubt but to hear them say, it is a sweet comedy. No more words: away! go, away! Bottom is torn between telling them all and saying nothing of what he has experienced. Is this for comedy or does he lack the words? The audience are now confident that they will see ‘Pyramus and Thisbe’ performed.

When have we seen Bottom as a wise creature? How does this scene add to this idea of Bottom?

Revision Task: Pick one of the below essay questions. Plan and write up your answer, setting out your arguments clearly and trying to cover all assessment objectives. Try to write 2-3 sides of A4. “ The story finishes with Act IV and logically the play should end there too.” How far do you agree with this statement? “The problems with which the play begins vanish without any satisfactory explanation in Act IV.” How far do you agree with this statement?