Question

Describe the rehearsal of the play conducted by the rustics. to what extent are they aware of the humour they generate?

Answer 1

The assembled artisans gather and Peter Quince hands out several parts to a play they want to perform for the Duke's wedding. The play is based on Pyramus and Thisbe, and is meant to be a comedy and a tragedy at the same time. One of the actors, Nick Bottom, is afraid that if the make the lion in the play too real, it might frighten the ladies and get them all hung. They finally all agree to meet in the woods outside of the city the next night to rehearse their parts. This of course is funny because the players are sort of buffoons. This play within a play is therefore used by Shakespeare to make a subtle point about theater, namely the fact that it is only acting.