A Midsummer Night’s Dream Analysis Example Essay Example

I Scene II Bottom says, "An I may hide my face, let me play Thisbe too I'll speak in a monstrous little voice: 'Thisne Thisne,' 'Ah Pyramus my lover dear, thy Thisbe dear and lady dear'" after taking the part of Pyramus. Later on, he also tries to ask for the part of the lion as well! This article takes a closer look at Act I Scene II and explains how it would direct an MSND scene with the above information about the 'Mechanicals' in mind.

The play would be set in the dark ages to complement the fairy theme. The Mechanicals would be dressed as poor peasants in brown clothing and leather, signifying their low social status. They would arrive at the scene with tired voices and dragging feet, reflecting their expectation that the play will not be successful and their frustration at having to spend their lunch arranging it. Bottom would wear an old suit, indicating his poverty while also highlighting his desire to look presentable.

The character of Bottom would be portrayed as a show-off who constantly cracks jokes. To enhance his wit, I suggest changing his occupation from a weaver to a jester. The rest of the Mechanicals would be depicted as uninteresting individuals who constantly grunt and sigh. The lighting in my set would be dim, but not dark, to convey a sense of gloomy atmosphere. The location for the scene would be set in the bustling market center where daily traders sell their produce. As the actors' voices become louder and lively, the crowd would slowly gather around them. When Bottom is humiliated by having wine poured over him

by a small boy, this could be used to his advantage, despite causing him to lose confidence initially.

Bottom's ability to laugh off humiliation and make jokes earns him more respect from the crowd, making him a popular and confident character. In the 20th Century Fox production of MSND, Kevin Kline portrays Bottom as a sensitive person who is particularly affected by public humiliation. In Act I Scene II, when a child pours wine over him while he shows off to the crowd, Bottom loses their respect and leaves with his head down. He is also the object of ridicule in his town, causing people to view him as a joke and not take him seriously. Other adaptations of MSND, such as Northern Broadsides Theatre Company's version, set the play in the 1990s.

The initial scene displays the Mechanicals dressed in everyday work attire while carrying lunch boxes and thermos flasks. The actor portraying Bottom is a jovial, bulky individual with red cheeks. The setting is a building site, emphasizing their ordinary laborer identities. This rendition features Bottom wearing the same uniform as his colleagues, rather than a more sophisticated ensemble seen in alternate adaptations.

A primary school's production of the play features a female actor playing the role of Bottom with a dominating voice, wearing regular clothes. The setting is confirmed to be the 1990s by the presence of a child with a Walkman, who is cast as Snout. If I were portraying Bottom, I would imbue him with sensitivity and concern for others' opinions. I would emphasize his vanity by frequently adjusting his hair and jacket. During Bottom's interactions with Titania, I would depict him in

a dreamlike state of confusion and surprise upon discovering his large ears. To convey this, I would use a high-pitched voice with a worried, perhaps shaky tone. My costume choice would be a white suit to make Bottom appear exotic and noteworthy.

Despite being a weaver, he would stand out from his colleagues thanks to his involvement in A Midsummer Night's Dream (MSND). The play depicts the convergence of three worlds: the Mechanicals, the fairies, and the royalty, with Bottom at the center. Unlike Romeo and Juliet, which concludes tragically, MSND concludes with all characters happy and content. This is often referred to as "Deus ex Machina," which translates to "loose ends tied up." Additionally, the play highlights women's equality and their influence over men.

This suggests that the play may have been heavily influenced by Elizabeth I, as mentioned earlier.