Hey all:)
For this week's online discussion, please view the following video of the workmen who meet to discuss the play 'Pyramus and Thisbe' in Act 1 Scene 2.
Characterization
1. What are some adjectives you would use to describe Nick Bottom based on what you have read in the play and what you saw in the video?
2. Do you like Nick Bottom? Why or why not? Substantiate your answer with examples and quotes from the play.
3. Peter Quince is rather good at ensuring that the most suitable person plays the different roles in their little play. Based on the way he deals with Bottom, what sort of a person would you say Peter Quince was?
Reading and thinking forward: Plot
1. Based on your opinion of Bottom in question (2) above, how does Bottom's character influence the way you feel about him when he is transfigured later on in the play?
ADDITIONAL TASK (Make-up for Lesson 1)
TASK TWO
To be completed in your exercise book.
Themes
The following are some of the themes of Act 1 Scene 1/2, as suggested by the groups that presented in class:
1. Love’s excesses & foolishness
2. Passion’s conflict with reason
3. Tyrannical parenting
4. Male domination
5. Difficulties in love
6. Magic & dreams (fantasy)
7. Love’s unfairness/irrational love
8. Young love
9. Gender discrimination
10. Freedom
11. Every man for himself
12. Love’s blindness
From the list above, choose FOUR themes that best represent the events in Act 1 Scene 1.
For each theme you have chosen, give TWO or more examples (events & quotes) to support the validity of the theme for this particular Act.
Remember to limit your evidence to events that take place ONLY in ACT 1.
Good Luck everyone!
Cheers
Ms. Nsa
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50 comments:
Joseline
3GR
I think that Bottom is showy, unserious and arrogant. I like Nick Bottom, but only as an element of comic relief rather than a character. It is funny how he volunteers to play each role in the play, claiming that he will do better than the assigned actors for them. At this rate, he can even run the whole play by himself.However, it sometimes is a little irritating when he interrupts the straightlaced and serious Peter Quince.
Peter Quince is a no-nonsense and patient person. He knows his casts strength and abilities, and assigns their roles to what he knows. Assigning Bottom as one of the main character, he should be confident enough in his abilities. When Bottom interrupts with his redundant volunteering, Quince patiently explains to him why the other is more suitable in laconic and direct terms. However, his words hint sarcasm when Bottom comments that he would make a better lion such that the ladies will scream in fear, Quince retorts promptly that if he does that, the whole crew would be chased out and maybe beheaded.
By transfiguring into a donkey, it adds more humor to his character. He should be mocked and laughed at, but by pure chance, the fairy queen falls in love with him as she was under a spell. Hence, though Bottom is unfortunate due to the configuration, the mockery morphs into admiration with this coincidence and we cannot be sure whether he is indeed lucky, or unlucky.
A good response to the clip, Joseline! :) Thanks for getting the ball rolling.
My question to all (on behalf of Wilson who asked this after class): What role do the craftsmen play in AMSND? The play seems to be able to progress even if we omit the craftsmen so what then is the actual role that these men play? Why do you think Shakespeare has included them in AMSND?
Please reply to this tag as well, people :)
Tay Xue Yi
3GRACE
In my opinion,I think that Bottom is proud,a little annoying but quite funny.He is also one of the happy-go-lucky type.He seemed to be very happy to have a role in the play and was not at all worried that he could not fit the job.To me,he seemed to be always very happy and could not worried about anything.
I like Bottom as he will make some funny comments to make this play more lively.He will volunteer to act the roles not assigned to him when some of the roles did not even suit him.For example,he volunteered to act as the lion in the play.But there was already a more suitable person taking up the roles.From his enthusiasm,it shows that he treated this play quite seriously,but I think that most people will think that he was joking.Because he was focussed,I think that he had his character.
Peter Quice is serious and will be very focussed on everything he does.He is also tactiful as he knows how to flatter Bottom as that he will agree to act in this play.He did things orderly.As the director of the play,he knew how to assigned the roles to suit each character and did things in an orderly manner.He will not changed the roles just because Bottom wanted to act most of the roles and he knows how to deal with Bottom.
When he was transfigued into a donkey later on in the play,he became more funny.Transfiguing to a donkey was not something to be proud for,but later on,when the fairy queen fell in love with him,I think that he was very lucky.Although he turned into an animal,he had the fairy queen's love.That should be counted as very fortunate.By losing something,he gained other things that were more valuable.
Characterisation Report
-Written by: Lim Wei Yang Bryan
3BN
Nick Bottom in the play is an exuberant, ignorant, vain, imaginative, overconfident and self satisfied to too large an extent character.
In Act 1 Scene 2, though Peter Quince is obviously the leader, Bottom seems to question his ability to lead, and thus constantly orders and “advices” Quince in a demanding way: “First, good Peter Quince, say what the play treats on, then read the names of the actors; and so grow to a point.” It can thus be seen that Bottom is very satisfied and proud of himself, he thinks that all the advises he give are to be followed strictly by every member of the team, and acts as if he is the senior and more respectful one around, assuming the role of the leader absolutely.
It can also be seen that Nick Bottom is very proud of himself and seems to overestimate his own abilities. He actually thinks that he is able to ace and excel in carrying out the roles of every character in the play. As can be seen from his exaggerated claims: “I will roar that I will do any man’s heart good to hear me. I will roar that I make the Duke say ‘Let him roar again, let him roar again.’” This shows that Bottom is a really proud and overconfident person who treats others in contempt and view others in naught but disdain. The only person whom he thinks is worthy of his respect is probably himself and no others.
However, it is absolutely wrong to say that Bottom’s contribution to the play is negligible. This is because he actually contributes a lot to an important theme in the play: Love’s Blindness/ irrational love, when fairy Queen Titania actually falls in love with him when he is in the donkey form. Though it is not right to say that it is true love, for Titania herself was tricked by Puck’s mischief, it is also Shakespeare’s idea of using Bottom to display the theme. Bottom also plays the important role of comic relief in the play. Shakespeare has made many plays that are regarding the topic humour. In Bottom’s presence, it can be seen that the tense atmosphere in Act 1 Scene 2 is lightened, as can be seen from the video and the book itself. He plays an important role in making the serious atmosphere more relaxing, Shakespeare’s trick to capture the reader’s attention and at the same time, allow the course of the play to run smoothly, sticking to its storyline with a tinge of humour, thanks to Bottom’s participation. (Does that answer Wilson’s question?)
Shakespeare really wants to inject humour by using Bottom. He continues to use him as a tool, by “getting” Oberon to transfigure him into a donkey. There is noreason as to why he is chosen to be a donkey, probably simply because Oberon wants to make Titania look like a fool or perhaps, Shakespeare wants to make his audience laugh at the fact that Bottom is obstinate, just lie the donkey he became. As Shakespeare’s play is targeted to win the riches’ attention, he probably insert Bottom in to allow them to laugh at the poor and common people. Another role that Bottom plays is also to pacify the hostilities between the two fairy gods. When pacified, the world reverts back to normal, so are the lovers (Helena, Demetrius, Hermia and Lysander)
Ask me whether I like Bottom? Yes, I strongly appreciate his laudable character of not fearing to be laughed at, as can be seen from him roaring around wildly in the video and calling “Thisbe” in an animated voice. In front of the craftsmen who seemed rather reticent, he is a confident speaker who speaks without fear of making mistakes. He may be a great companion at tense times when humour is much needed to lighten the atmosphere, however, though I hate to disparage his praiseworthy character, I must make a point that there are times when I felt like entering the video and giving him a few tight slaps, for his complacent and brash attitude is really irritating.
To Peter Quince. If asked to describe Quince in a few words, I will say that he is a born leader with very strong leadership qualities. He knows every single one of the craftsmen so well that he seems to be able to play mind games with them. Take his conversation with Bottom for example: “You can play no part but Pyramus; for Pyramus is a sweet-faced man; a proper man as one shall see in a summer’s day; a most lovely gentleman-like man. Therefore you must play Pyramus.” This powerful statement immediately shuts the blabbering Bottom up, as it reads like that: “Pyramus is a fine gentleman. No one is fit to play him but you, Bottom. No one but you!” He knows exactly the right word to use to make sure that Bottom takes on the role of Pyramus without his continuous and incessant blabbering- by praising him in an indirect way; showing his true qualities as a leader. Another point I want to mention about his character is that, he is a no-nonsense, strict leader. He sticks strictly to accomplishing his mission as the leader, and is not distracted by Bottom’s spluttering of nonsense, as he is probably aware of the responsibility he has to make sure all is well. He is also a respectable figure among the craftsmen, when he tells the others to meet for rehearsal, they turned up on time and Bottom also pledges to rehearse “obscenely and courageously”
jacqueline sim
3GR, 17
nick bottom is an over-confident person who thinks he is above everyone elses and that he can act every role better than anyone. he's also bad at grammar(shows that he did not have education).the way he phrases his words and the words he used.
i dont quite like the character of nick bottom.he acts as someone who thinks highly of himself and expects everybody else to treat him seroiusly just like he does however, whenever he says something, people laughs.this shows that they thought what he said was a joke when he really meant it. they did not take him seriously.
peter quince however, is like a totally different person. he is organized and calm. he makes sures he made everyone do their own part nicely and beautifully. and he also make sures what he planned does not go wrong. even though nick bottom keeps interrupting saying he should do that part, peter quince will insist that nick bottom acts as pyramus.
the 4 themes:
1. male domination
what theseus and egeus said was of use. however, what hermia said was very little taken into account of. when she said that lysander was equally good, theseus emphasised that whatever egeus decided on was to be taken into account. since egeus decided that she should marry Demetrius, then she should do as so.
2. Tryannical parents
Egeus said"as she is mine, i may dispose of her" . they way he says it, it's as if she was like his property. she onl;y can be gone when he doesn't want her anymore. she's like a property and not a human.he also can determin her life and death. because if she doesn't marry demetrius,she may face death penalty.
3. freedom
hermia cannot have freedom. she is under the control of egeus. however, she plans to runaway with lysander to seek their own freedom.
4. love's blindness
love can turn someone against another. hermia's obedience which is due to egeus, turned into harshness.we can say, she, because of love, 'turned ugly'.
LILING.
3GRACE.
The craftsmen are connected to the theme of marriage as they are going to perform a play in Theseus and Hippolyta's wedding. Although their play is very badly written; but the craftsmen take it very seriously. Thi links to the theme of acting, the relationship between real life and illusions. While the craftsmen takes great pains to portray the moon and a wall on stage, they also wanted to remind the audience that it is just a play. Afraid that the "lion" may frighten the ladies. Shakespere writes things based on an anaylsis of human beings. What he wanted to achieve in including the craftsmen in AMSND is to let humans know that everyone ahs a part to play and that their every actions makes a differance.
Words like; ignorant,vain.imaginative,confident,would be words to use to describe Nick Bottom. In the play, Bottom keeps interupting Peter Quince, wanting to take on many roles. He wanted to play Pyramus,Thisbe and the lion. His tone of voice in the video is very confidant.Abling to roar and mimic a lady very well.Bottom is ignorant as he could not sense the tinge of sacarsm that Quince said, not knowing that Quince had gotten quite irritated. But overall, he is generally an okay person.
Nick Bottom is an element of comic relief.His tone of voice brings laughter to the audience.It si as if he could do anything.He can also take critism.When Quince said "No;no;you must play Pyramus", Bottom simply said "Well proceed". He did not argue at all, neither did he make a fuss of wanting to play other roles. This is why i like him. He is a very down to earth person. He understands that Quince knows wha he is doing, thus giving him fre rein to choose who play which characters, instead of trying to run everything by himself.
Peter Quince is an older man of great authority, since he is the director of the play. He has a good eye for character, casting people just the right roles for them. Flute,playing a woman since he is still young and etc. Quince also knows how to flatter Bottom in order to make him happy.This is perhaps why Bottom allows Quince to make the decisions. Also,he goes about his task methodically. A no-nonsense person. He is able to get the team to listen to him- meeting in the woods instead of the city. Quince is also a responsible person. Knowing that if Bottom plays the lion, he will frigthen the ladies and the entire crew would be beheaded.This shows that he cares for the well being of him crew.
From the start, Nick Bottom has an element of comic relief. Thus, when he transfigured into a donkey, it helps to release the tension of the play. Making people interested to know what would happen next.It seems rather unlikely that the fairy queen would fall in love with a donkey; this causes a spark of interest in the readers. Also, Bottom still remains "as himsef" even though he became a donkey. His character was still basically the same,which is lucky as Bottom's character is indeed humorous.
Characterisation
1. I feel that he is prominent among the others, and he is very, I should say, impatient, as he speaks immediately almost every time Quince says finish his line. He also wants to play every single role that is available. Also, he holds a lot of humour, which I think adds excitement to the play.
If compared to is written in the play, he is also impatient in it, but I would like to think him as joyful as written in the play, as he amuses a lot, though most of the time himself, rather then the others. But in the video, everyone, with the exception of Peter Quince, enjoys every single moment with Bottom.
Also, in the play, I think that Bottom is a gentleman-like man, although he looks like a bully in the video (in fact he is, taking into account that he wants to play all the roles!). The evidence is that Quince had said,
"You can play no part but Pyramus; for Pyramus is a sweet-faced man; a proper man, as one shall see in a summer's day; a most lovely gentleman-like man: therefore you must needs play Pyramus.
2. I like the character Bottom both in the play and in the video. One thing that I like about both is that he is shown as humourous, which makes the whole play lighter than in Scene 1.
"That will ask some tears in the true performing of it: if I do it, let the audience look to their eyes; I will move storms, I will condole in some measure. To the rest: yet my chief humour is for a tyrant: I could play Ercles rarely, or a part to tear a cat in, to make all split.
The raging rocks
And shivering shocks
Shall break the locks
Of prison gates;
And Phibbus' car
Shall shine from far
And make and mar
The foolish Fates.
This was lofty! Now name the rest of the players. This is Ercles' vein, a tyrant's vein; a lover is more condoling."
Also, in the video, he roars after saying "Let him roar again." much to the amusement of the other craftmen, making them roar, literally, with laughter, with the exception of of course Quince, who still insist that he play Pyramus.
Thus, inclusion of why Shakespeare wanted to add the preparation (and eventually the acting)of the play, is that he wanted the play not to be too much of romance and sadness, but he adds in comedy in order to lighten the whole play.
3. Quince is a tactical man, as he is able to convince Bottom that he must play the part of Pyramus no matter what, and he can think of solutions very quickly in order to applease Bottom.
He is a little sarcastic, and so able to humble the impatient Bottom. The evidence of this is when Bottom asks him what beard should he where.
"Some of your French crowns have no hair at all, and then you will play bare-faced."
Reading and thinking forward: Plot
1. He should be able to lighten the atmosphere, especially since he is impatient and wants to do things generally on his own. But on the other hand, he still needs his friends to control him, or else his humour will get the better of him at the end of the play!
The part when his head is exchanged with the donkey's is one such example. He makes fun of Snout "What do you see? you see an asshead of your own, do you?" when he does not realises that it is himself that has changed. He sings after the others have gone, and thus awaking Titania who had slept nearby. She falls in love with him, and thus marks the beginning of another comedy!
But in all, Bottom is "used" to lighten the entire atmosphere, as Oberon and Titania and a verbal argument, and the four lovers, Demetrius, Lysander, Hermia and Helena, are at conflict with one another, which, without Bottom, makes the atmosphere dark.
For Task Number 2 (main reason is that I did not receive my notebook):
1.Passion’s conflict with reason
Hermia loves Lysander and vice versa, but Egeus demands that she be married to Demetrius. Thus, "reason" here is Egeus stating why he wants to marry Hermia to Demetrius, while "passion" is that Hermia's love for Lysander.
Another is Helena's love for Demetrius. Demetrius' dislike of her seems to make her love him, thus "passion" gets the better of "reason", which is of course Demetrius' hatred of her.
2.Tyrannical parenting
Egeus holds complete control over Hermia, meaning that Hermia cannot voice out her complaints. As a matter of fact, Egeus demands that if his request is not fulfiled, he would "dispose" of Hermia, either to death or to a nunnery for life. Thus, Hermia shows disdain towards her father, and to him, she is just "stubborn".
Also, Egeus is very demanding, and listen not to the two lovers, stating that he wants Demetrius to marry Hermia, and no one else. "Full of vexation come I, with complaint...Immediately provided in that case." (Act 1 Scene 1 Lines 24 to 47)
3.Difficulties in love
Hermia's love for Lysander and vice versa is affected by both Demetrius and Egeus. Thus, she complains about it, "Ay me! for aught that I could ever read...So quick bright things come to confusion. " in her conversation with Lysander (Act 1 Scene 1 Lines 135 to 152).
Also, Helena complains about not receiving Demetrius' love as she dotes on him yet he does not return her love. "Call you me fair? that fair again unsay...You sway the motion of Demetrius' heart." (Act 1 Scene 1 Lines 185 tp 197)
4.Gender discrimination
The females in the story have not a say in the story, as in the case of Hermia. She loves Lysander, but cannot make her point as Egeus holds power over her.
Also, Helena has had no say over Demetrius, and can only love him, but not make him love her, as she is considered "weaker" than him, and has no say against Demetrius.
Terrance Goh
3BN
In this scene, Nick Bottom the weaver who is an entertaining but somewhat inane man,tried to usurp Peter Quince's authority as director of the play and tries to wrest control of the group. From Bottom's introduction,he is presented as a courageous and outgoing person. Being confident that he can play any, even all of the roles in Pyramus and Thisbe, he tries to get Quince to concur to his idea, allowing him to play all the roles. For example, he says his performance of Pyramus will cause the audience to be moved till they cry storms of tears.
Probably created as a comical appeal, Bottom , though for his "confidence", is a little more than a swaggering fool, an ass(donkey), as can be seen in the later part of the play by Puck's prank on Titania.
Well, Nick Bottom is actually quite a lovable character in the play. Without him, the whole play would seem rather boring and mundane, for he is the locus of comedy in the play. He also draws the audience’s attention to serious themes, such as the relationship between reality and imagination. Bottom’s language adds to his comic appeal. For example, he claims that if he performed the role of Thisbe, he would speak her lines in a “monstrous little voice,” an obviously contradictory statement. Then, he claimed he would “aggravate” his voice if he played the lion’s role so that the ladies in the audience would not be frightened. Again, Bottom’s word choices show his silliness, but also adding a comic element to the play. Similarly, rather than worrying about his acting performance, Bottom wonders which beard would be most effective for the role of Pyramus.
Although Peter Quince is often shoved aside by the abundantly confident Bottom, he is actually quite a good director who leads well. He knows everyone of the group inside out and also knows what to do to make Bottom listens to him and remained his role as Pyramus. For example, Peter flatters him by insisting that Snug must be the lion because only Bottom can play the part of Pyramus, the leading role. Peter also says that Bottom must play Pyramus for "Pyramus is a sweet-faced man; a proper man as one shall see in a summer's day; a most lovely, gentleman- like man" which he directly referring to Bottom in order to please him. Peter also holds much authority as when he told them to rehearse in the woods the next night, the group listens attentively when he says "I pray you, fail me not".
I think that Nick Bottom is bossy, blatant, narcissistic, egotistical, ignorant and really eager to be thrust into the spotlight. I do not really like Bottom’s personality, however, his role in the play adds humour and comic relief.
Here are some evidences to why I do not like Bottom:
Bossy:
“You were best to call them generally, man by man, according to the scrip.” He tries to sound professional and important by commenting on Peter Quince’s actions.
Blatant:
“An I may hide my face, let me play Thisbe too. I’ll speak in a monstrous little voice: “Thisne, Thisne!”……dear!” Bottom tries to convince Peter Quince to let him have every role so as to alleviate himself in front of the others. He is hinting that he is very good in drama and can play every single role in the play. I would say that he is actually quite thick-skinned.
Narcissistic & Egotistical:
“That will ask some tears in the true performing of it. If I do it, let the audience look to their eyes! I will move storms; I will condole in some measure…….condoling.” Again Bottom thinks that he can play every role and be so dramatic and so poignant so as to move the audience.
I think that Peter Quince is a true leader and he is intelligent and very tolerant. He has assigned the roles to the most suitable people in their little group for example he gave the role of sweet Thisbe to Flute who was the youngest and his voice was the most high pitched. He can rally the craftsmen and make them listen to him. Also he knows how to patronise Bottom, hence, gaining his support. He is tolerant of Bottom’s ignorant comments and know how to praise him in an indirect way. “You can play no part but Pyramus; for Pyramus is a sweet-faced man; a proper man as one shall see in a summer’s day; a most lovely gentleman-like man. Therefore you must play Pyramus.” By saying this, Peter shuts Bottom up forthwith.
In response to Wilson’s question, I think that Shakespeare has included the various craftsmen to add comic relief to the play. Also the craftsmen were there to bring out certain characteristics of the other character. For example, Theseus showed his benevolence and kindness by declaring that instead of the quality of the play, the audience appreciate the effort put it by the inept craftsmen. Also without Nick Bottom, who would Titania fall in love with?
For me ,I think that Nick Bottom is assertive,exuberant,self-possessed,ignorant,intellectual and unsociable.
I like Nick Bottom because he wanted to act roles like being the lion so as to roar loudly to make the Duke praise him and ask him to roar again.He is also funny as he wanted to act as Thisbe,speaking in a monstrous little voice when Thisbe,this role is only suitable for Flute.
As for Peter Quince, i think that he is a confident and funny but a bit bossy as he is the one who reads out the roles suitable for everyone.When he says that Flute be Thisbe and Robin Starveling as Thisbe's mother,it is quite funny as these two roles should be for women to act but because there are no women in the group of craftsmen so these two have to take upon these two roles.
TanAnn.
3Grace.
I think that Nick Bottom is an ignorant,naive,foolish,over confident and arrogant person.
I personally do not like Nick Bottom even though he appears to be the comic relief because of his misuse of language in the play.It is rather displeasing to see Bottom try to dominate his fellow members and doubts the ability of their leader,Peter Quince.He assumed that everyone takes after what he said and even gave commands to Peter Quince."Now, good Peter Quince, call forth your
actors by the scroll. Masters, spread yourselves." It is seemingly ridiculous to watch Bottom giving instructions to everyone in his over dramatic and self-aggrandizing tone,as though he is the most important.He even overestimated his abilities by wanting to act in various roles."That will ask some tears in the true performing of it:if I do it,let the audience look to their eyes;I will move storms,I will condole in some measure.To the rest: yet my chief humour is for a tyrant:I could play Ercles rarely, or a part to tear a cat in,to make all split." "An I may hide my face, let me play Thisby too" "Let me play the lion too" He assumed that he could relate to many roles and even tries to think that the audiences' response will be the same as of it in his own perspective.This clearly shows that he is overly confident and egoistic.
Peter Quince is a very clear-minded,serious and organised man who was born to be a leader who has strong leadership qualities.He can still keep his thoughts on the right track even though Bottom interupts and he understands each of his fellow members so much that he is able to give each of his members the most suitable role."You can play no part but Pyramus;for Pyramus is a sweet-faced man;a proper man, as one shall see in a summer's day; a most lovely gentleman-like man:therefore you must needs play Pyramus." This shows that he has clear understandings not only towards his fellow members but also towards the roles they were going to play.Through the whole scene,he is serious and calm.He did not flare even when Bottom was being very rude but instead,he kept composed and assigned his members their roles.
After transfiguring into a donkey,Titania(a beautiful magical fairy) fell in love with him.In his opinion,it was totally out of anything ordinary that someone like her will actually fall in love with him.What he did not know was that she fell in love only because she was anointed with love potion.It was his inability to perceive that Titania had no absolute reason to fall in love with a man who is transfigured into a donkey.
I think Bottom is a over enthusiastic about the play and very imaginative but also very greedy, irritating and disruptive. When Quince assigned the role of Pyramus, he has already thought of ideas to enhance the character. “That will ask some tears… a lover is more condoling.” He also volunteers to play the different characters in the play even though Quince had already assigned the roles to the others in the group and has also thought of ways to make the character better. “I’ll speak in… and lady dear!” “But I will aggravate my… ’twere any nightingale.” But through this, we can also tell that Bottom is over confident of himself. He thinks that he can do well in almost every role. In this scene, Bottom acts as if he is the leader. “First good Peter Quince” and “Now good Peter Quince… and proceed.” Bottom orders Peter Quince around even though it is very obvious that Quince is the leader.
Bottom also has his bad points. He is very greedy, very irritating and disruptive. He is not contented with the role assigned to him and wants to play the other characters in the play even though Quince has already assigned the roles to the other members in the group. Bottom keeps requesting for a change of roles because he feels their roles are better and wants a change and interrupts Peter Quince every now and then. The other members accept their roles but Bottom is not contented and requests for the other roles. “let me play Thisbe too.” and “ Let me play the lion too.”
Bottom is also very lucky in the sense that the fairy queen falls in love with him even though he is transformed into a donkey. In the scene, he is portrayed as a very funny character and entertains the reader.
Quince is a firm and decisive person. He does not give in to Bottom when he requests for a change and is very firm in his decision and insists that Bottom play the role of Pyramus. “You can play no part but Pyramus… you must needs play Pyramus.” Quince is very clever at sweet talking and convincing Bottom into playing the role of Pyramus by assuring Bottom that he will do well in the role.
Sherri
3GR
Personally, I find Nick Bottom too overconfident, a complete show-off, egoistic to the extent that it gets mildly irritating when he starts to brag about his "superb" acting skills. Having said so much, it's quite obvious that I dislike him. He speaks in a way that makes himself sound, or at least he thinks it sounds, superior to those around him. The way he keeps interrupting Peter Quince is highly annoying.
Fortunately for Bottom, Peter Quince has patience, a whole lot of it. Quince is a down-to-earth, sensible type of person who takes things very seriously,unlike Bottom. He takes the pains to get to know his casts so as to assure that each gets the appropriate roles. When Bottom insists on playing practically every character in the play, Quince uses flattery to gain Bottom's cooperation, thus allowing the rest of the meeting to run smoothly.
When Bottom transfigured into a donkey later on in the play, I found it rather ironic. A donkey was the perfect description of Nick Bottom. Obstinate and noisy. Puck really did manage to capture Nick Bottom's character. Even more ironic was the fact that someone could actually become enamoured of a donkey-with-an-attitude. However, we can't blame Titania, she was under a spell. I didn't really find Bottom's character funny, it was more annoying than not.
Adeline Yeo
3BN
I think that Bottom is confident,funny but a little irritating. As he keeps volunteering to act in different characters that might not even suit him in the first place. He is not afraid of embarrassment in front of his friends and this adds a tinge of comic relief to the play. By interrupting Peter and volunteering to act every character, Bottom is causing trouble for Peter and so when he finally agrees to act Pyramus, Peter heaved a sign of relief. Nevertheless, Bottom made the play lively by making those funny comments.
I like the character of Bottom as although his comments might seemed stupid but it is actually very funny to me. It also relieves the tension from the previous scene where Hermia is forbidded to marry Lysander. Bottom brings laughter to people and this can also help people to relax from stress such as the stress that Peter is having from the preparation of the play.
Peter is a serious, patient person. Although he thinks that Bottom is blabbering nonsense, he has the patience to explain to him that he will be the only one suitable for the role of Pyramus and everyone is suited for their own roles. Peter is sort of the leader in the group of craftsmen as he leads the people in the play. He understands the strengths of the others so he is able to assign the roles well. From the part where Peter replied Bottom about his roaring scaring away the duchess and ladies, he seemed to be losing his patience and is irritated by Bottom as there is sarcasm in his tone.
Bottom has been the source of comic relief since the start of the play and it would be most suitable for him to be in such a comical role as he is adding more humour to the play. No lady would fall for Bottom after he was transfigured into a donkey but strangely, the fairy queen falls for him and this is sort of a twist in the play and a blessing in disguise for Bottom.
Kristal Yang
3Grace
I think that Nick Bottom is a very flagrant and snobbish character. As much as the facts show, I still like him, but only for the fact that he adds on to the comic relief of the play. When he tries to volunteer to play every role that Quince has dictated, he snatches away the chances from the rest of the actors, but the grim and pensive Quince did not allow him to succeed, thankfully. However, when he starts to interrupt Quince while he was reading the 'scrip', it gets annoying and sometimes, depressing, especially when he boasts about how much he could do better than the rest of the actors and his showy histrionics. He thinks highly of himself and even knows his egotistical nature, as shown, "This was lofty!". He clearly knows his weakness, but does nothing about it.
Peter Quince is a patient and capable man. Despite how much Bottom sings his fulsome praises about himself, he does not grant Bottom the wish to have all the roles in the play, in a sarcastic manner, standing firm to his ground, that Pyramus is the most suitable character for Bottom. He knows of what he is doing and is outstanding in his own area. On his judgement, he assigns the roles to different people confidently, and not fickle-mindedly.
Lucky or unlucky, it depends on the reader's point of view. But one thing's for sure, by transfiguring into a donkey, the comical caricaturing is highlighted here. It reminds me of what happened in Act 1 Scene 2. Bottom is evidently now seen as mockery to readers. In my opinion, I believe that Bottom is really fortunate to have, of all characters, Titania, Queen of the Fairies. This transfiguration of a donkey actually brought him shame, but in return, he "won" love from Titania. This would increase tension and suspension to the readers as this could be unexpected and unpredictable. This thus spurs interest for readers to read on.
Maryann
3GR
1. Nick Bottom seems confident as he wants to pursue every single role in the play. He loves to showcase what he has and what he can do. He portrays himself as arrogant,showy and self-satisfied. He is quite comical though, as throughout the scene, his actions are big and funny. In addition, he speaks in a manner that makes him someone who loves to joke around. Still he accepts what he has in the end.
2. I like Nick Bottom as heis very comical and he is proud of himself. He leave an impression of being an individual. When Peter Quince assigned the roles to each of them, Bottom claimed that he take any of the roles and he demonstrated the lines as well. It makes me feel that he has an individual personality. Nevertheless, no matter how restless he is, he is still contented with the role that he Peter Quince gave him.
3. As Peter Quince is the director, he has his means and ways to let his actors accpet they roles that they are given. Bottom is a good example as Peter Quince had flattered him and thus persuaded him to accept the role that he has been given then. He was tactful and smart to handle these.
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1. I thought that it was hilarious when he was being tranformed into a Donkey. The funniest thing was that Queen Titania was in love with him! Even though it was the work of the spell, it made the Queen a total fool out of herself. Bottom was loved by the queen but sadly it was when he was a donkey, instead of being in human form.
Christina Wong
3MD
I think that Bottom is has a showy and bossy character. I like him, however, as he adds a comical element to the story using his enthusiasm in participating in the play. He volunteered to take up almost all of the roles and claimed that he could excel in them and maybe even better than the assigned actors.
Peter Quince is a very patient and calm person who makes firm decisions. His decisions of the characters for the play wasn't being shook by the not-so-serious Bottom when Bottom insisted that he could do well for all the roles. He used a calm and somewhat flat tone to make Bottom accept the decision. Therefore, I think that Quince is a serious person.
After Bottom was being transformed into a donkey later in the play, he became more comical and funny. And the readers become more keen to find out what happens later in the play, especially after the fairy queen mistakenly fell in love with him.
Rachael Lee
3BN
Nick Bottom can be described as over-confidence, otspoken, egoistic and a little too ambitious. He seems to be display much confidence when he convince Peter Quince that he may do a better job than others for that particular role and pretended to be very knowledgable. "A very good piece of work, I assure you, and a merry" He calls the play "merry" but little did he know that it is one of the most lamentable play. His enthusiasium reflects his outspoken personality which I admired.
Because Nick Bottom is an interesting and humourous character, he earns my full admiration. His wonderful imaginations add colours to the play and by being a comic relief here and then, he soothe the tension created previously by adding humour and drama. Thus, he is one of the most important character. "Let me play the lion too." ,"Let me play Thisbe too!" displays Bottom's ambitiousness. Aside from his arrogance, he brings the play alive.
Peter Quince is one responsible and trustworthy leader as he put everything in good order and his knowledge about the other craftmen enables him to distibute the parts to each of them effortlessly as he knew them best. "Snug, the joiner, you the lion's part" reveal that regconises Snug's doubts who finds it hard to learn things by heart. Despite Nick Bottom's continuous annoyance, he remained calm and patient, convincing him that playing the role of pyramus is still the best choice for him.
To ease tension at climax, Nick Bottom has been introduced as a comic relief. Transfiguring him into a donkey, it increases humour within the play and comparing him with a donkey, they are pretty similar in one way or another. However, saying that he's one unfortunate guy may be an understatement as Titania, the fairy queen unintentionally falls for him. This also display the interaction between human and the fairies.
QianHui
3MD
i)1.I think that Nick Bottom is rather impatient and proud.He is eager to prove himself.(Refer to Act One Scene 2 line 1-10,the converstation between Quince and Bottom) Shown in the clip,for every speech that Quince made, Bottom replied in a rather commanding,pissed off tone.Bottom shows me that he feels that Quince does not know what he is doing or how to lead the meeting any better than he could at it.Through this Bottom also shows that he does not like to submit to authority and prefers being the one to be in charge of things. Later on, when Quince assigned the roles, Bottom seemed to be attempting to "snatch" away the roles from the subsequent craftsmen.He believes that he is the best candidate for every role that Peter Quince listed.
2.I do enjoy the presence of Bottom in the play.I like his enthusiasm and imaginative character.He adds on a little element of comic in the play by his thoughtless actions.Due to his egoistic character, he always volunteers himself,trying to stand out and to prove his worth.I commented him being imaginative because he took on a role of a lady and a tiger well and to act,it takes imaginations.
3.I'd say that Peter Quince is a serious person.He does not joke or play around during the discussion.He keeps to his points and did not digress from the topic.
ii)1.He proved to me that he was a very self centered and confident person.Though being changed to a donkey, he did not fail to remain being himself throughout.
Nick Bottom is overconfident, proud and comical. In the play he constantly stops Peter Quince even though his part in the play has already been mentioned and he claims to be able to act as every character in the play, and even demonstrates his abilities to the other craftsmen. “An I may hide my face, let me play Thisbe too.” And “Let me play the lion too” are some quotes from the play that shows Bottom trying to make himself appear to be great and outstanding among the other craftsmen by requesting to take on multiple roles. It can be irritating and disturbing as Peter Quince is obviously in charge of the play and yet Bottom constantly tries to make amendments to what Quince had already decided, which is also challenging his authority. Also he is stalling the process as the meeting can end very shortly (just announcing everyone’s respective roles) but Bottom delays much time by adding useless comments. For example even though he has already tried once to change his role but he was rejected but instead of giving up he makes another attempt to request for a change even though he knows that he will be rejected thus I find Bottom very annoying. Peter Quince on the other hand is more responsible and has leadership qualities within him. Despite being interrupted many times, he remains patient and calm and was even able to convince Bottom that he must play the role of Pyramus. He is also very sure what role each craftsmen is suited to play as and is strong willed. He will not change what he has already decided on. For example he rejected Bottom many times when Bottom requested for a change in roles. He is able to use good words like “most lovely, gentleman-like man” to convince Bottom to play the role of Pyramus therefore he is also resourceful.
Laura Eng
3BN
I do not like Bottom as he is rather fickle-minded, he kept changing the role he wanted to play as he kept asking whether he could play Thisbe, or even the lion. He is also proud of himself as he boasted about how well he can play Pyramus, how he can even make the audience be moved to tears, and his arrogance is also shown in him trying to roar like a lion, as in the video, and tried to say that he can roar very well, as though a real lion does. He also tried to show off his knowledge of dyeing at the topic of the beard he should wear for the character Pyramus that he is playing. Also, he kept trying to attract attention from everyone by interrupting Quince in his announcement of the roles to be played by the different craftsmen.
Peter Quince is quite glib in talking, he knows how to say the right things to make Bottom be content with the role he was assigned, by saying how Pyramus is a 'sweet-faced man' and 'a most lovely, gentleman-like man'. Also, he is a good leader as he knows his members very well. For example, he knows that Snug is not good at memorizing scripts, so he gave him the role of a lion, which requires no speech at all, other than some roaring needed.
When Bottom was transfigured, I felt that he had attracted even more attention then, although he scared away his fellow craftsmen. Yet, he got the attention of the fairy queen, mainly because she had the delusion of love, and this made him flaunt his arrogance by commanding the fairies to do things for him.
Yi Long
3BN
Nick Bottom is overconfident, proud and comical. In the play he constantly stops Peter Quince even though his part in the play has already been mentioned and he claims to be able to act as every character in the play, and even demonstrates his abilities to the other craftsmen. “An I may hide my face, let me play Thisbe too.” And “Let me play the lion too” are some quotes from the play that shows Bottom trying to make himself appear to be great and outstanding among the other craftsmen by requesting to take on multiple roles. It can be irritating and disturbing as Peter Quince is obviously in charge of the play and yet Bottom constantly tries to make amendments to what Quince had already decided, which is also challenging his authority. Also he is stalling the process as the meeting can end very shortly (just announcing everyone’s respective roles) but Bottom delays much time by adding useless comments. For example even though he has already tried once to change his role but he was rejected but instead of giving up he makes another attempt to request for a change even though he knows that he will be rejected thus I find Bottom very annoying. Peter Quince on the other hand is more responsible and has leadership qualities within him. Despite being interrupted many times, he remains patient and calm and was even able to convince Bottom that he must play the role of Pyramus. He is also very sure what role each craftsmen is suited to play as and is strong willed. He will not change what he has already decided on. For example he rejected Bottom many times when Bottom requested for a change in roles. He is able to use good words like “most lovely, gentleman-like man” to convince Bottom to play the role of Pyramus therefore he is also resourceful.
Sheryl Lee Keying(15)
3BN
Based on what i have read and saw in the play, i would think that Bottom is overly confident and proud, brash and irritating. Below are the evidences as to why i felt that Bottom is such a showy person.
1)Overly confident and proud
Bottom thinks highly of himself and boasts of the abilities he THINKS he possesses and thus fighting fro Snug and Flute's roles. The book states 'let the audience look to their eyes!' (meant that the audience had netter be careful that they do not weep their eyes out.) 'i will roar that i will make the Duke say let me hear him roar again, let him roar again.' 'let me play Thisbe' and 'let me play lion too'. From the above quotes i can deduce that Bottom is extremely confident of his acting skills and is not ashamed to say it out loud.
2) Brash and irritating
As we all can see from the play, Bottom does not care of other's feelings. He speaks as he wishes and it can really get on people's nerves. Although Bottom knows that Quince is the director of the play, he does not seem to be showing much respect to him. He speaks in a demanding tone 'first, good Peter Quince, say what the..point' and 'now name the rest of the players.' He acts as if he is the leader of the group, hoping t be treated seriously and looked up to.In a serious tone he said 'we will meet..be perfect.' This shows that he is trying to draw forth attention and command some respect and authority.
Personally, i would say that Quince is intelligent, firm and responsible. Quince is an older man of some authority since he is the director of the play within the play. Quince does things methodically, he assigns the various roles to the right people. I would say that he is intelligent, in the sense that he is tactful in dealing with the pugnacious Bottom who keeps wanting to play multiple roles. He knows how to flatter Bottom, which was probably the main reason why Bottom agreed to stick to his own role in the end. Quince is firm with his decisions and does not relent even when Bottom was so eager to take on the other roles. He did not want any nonsense from the group and thus he wanted the rehearsal to be held in the woods, where there would be no disturbances.Quince is also a responsible man s he is concerned of the welfare of his fellow mates. He did up a scroll of their names, roles and even intends to do up a props list. Besides that, he made sure Bottom did not play the lion as he was aware that his roar will frighten the Duchess and the ladies which could cause the entire crew their lives. This shows his care and concern for his crew.
Bottom as we all know, is a character who provides comic relief in the play. Although his personality irritates people at times, some of his actions and words actually make people tickle. For example, using the word 'obscenely' to describe 'so as not to be seen.' In the last part of the play, when his head was transposed with a donkey's head, the whole story becomes alive. Some other elements like Titania falling in love with him also made the play much more interesting and out of the ordinary as it was absurd for Titania to love a man like him,especially when his head has been transfigured to that of an ass.
Fiona Teh
3 Modesty
1.
a. Pompous, conceited;
Nick Bottom is full of himself and has confidence in his acting in which he believes he is perfect for every role.
("That will ask some tears... to make all split" Page 51, Lines 66-69)
He 'volunteered' to play Thisbe instead, he flaunts his versatility by going falsetto as Thisbe, and also roared like a lion, trying to prove that he is better than Snug who was casted as the Lion.
("...let me play Thisbe too......and lady dear!")
("Let me play the Lion too. I will roar that........let him roar again")
Evidence from Page 53, lines 47-50 and lines 66-69)
b. Self-absorbed, whimsical;
I feel that he is whimsical and too self-absorbed in his own self at times because as Quince reads out the casting, he'd go on and on in his own world.
He attempts to flaunt his ability to the rest by telling them, "That will ask some tears....to make all split".
Bottom also got more whimsical when he continued with "The raging rocks...The foolish Rates". It is whimsical because he ended with "This was lofty!"
For most of his speech, there isn't much of a concern for other people present.
c. Arrogant, bossy;
Nick Bottom thinks himself as a perfect person to play all the roles. After being assigned his role as Pyramus, he tells Quince and company, "let me play Thisbe too." and "Let me play the lion too."
He is arrogant as he thinks that he can match up to all characters.
He is bossy as even though the master of the play is Quince, Bottom speaks for most of the time and gives orders like "Well, proceed".
2. Yes i do, ironically.
Nick Bottom is a contrasting character to the rest of the craftsmen up till now in the play. He gives the scene the action and mood. Without him, the casting for the play would have been monotonous.
Though a nuisance due to his pompous nature, he is a display of the difference from craftsmen and people like Theseus and Hermia.
Their language, tone and expressions are highly different.
3. Peter Quince deals with Bottom by ignoring him and letting him continue with what he has to say.
Quince is wise in this area as Bottom's character would not rest the matter if he met any objections.
I would say Quince has a way with people and understands them.
Whenever the craftsmen had questions about the characters they are going to play, like Snug on the Lion, Bottom on Pyramus, Flute on Thisbe, He answered them accurately and convinced them that they are suitable for the role.
It seemed to me that he knew everyone's character and what was bothering them when they asked that question.
1. Being a overbearing and conceited person now, transfiguration into a donkey would let readers see a twist.
Humour comes in when he does all the things that contrasts his current character. Being the bossy and pompous fellow now in the play, it would definitely reduce the sympathy i would have for him.
Yang Rong
3MD
Nick Bottom, in my opinion, seems like a man with an extremely big ego. And we can see that from 1.2.21, 35, 47, 66-69.all these lines show Bottom trying to take on as many roles as he possibly can, more than he can cope with actually, trying to prove that he's a good actor.
Personally I feel Nick Bottom provides a sense of comical humour, but as it goes on, Bottom's comments and remarks start to get obnoxious and irritating.
Peter Quince seems to be a natural leader among his band of actors. He commands the respect of his actors and they don't argue with him, other than Nick Bottom. With Bottom, Quince makes his stand clear, by not changing his decision or entertaining Bottom's requests. 1.2.79-82. He also ensured that Thisbe was played by Flute who was young and had a high voice. 1.2.40. From this, we can see that Quince takes note of even minor details such as this when he's at his job.
Teresa
3MD
Personally I feel that Nick Bottom is a pompous individual. He eludes a classic kind of confidence and perceives himself as one superior to the rest of the craftsman, much to an extent that he feels a certain impulse to question every decision that Peter Quince makes. Nick Bottom adds a tinge of comic relief to the play, providing amusement to the audience with his quirky antics.
Basically, I have a certain distaste towards Nick Bottom. He constantly is a rudimental source of frustration for the rather dour Peter Quince. Nick Bottom strongly feels that in fact, he is the only one that can play each and every single character. This greatly portrays his abnormally large ego and shows his snobbish side.
Peter Quince is a true leader. He possess the ability to manage the troupe well; assigning the various roles to the person who truly deserves them. The responses he poses to Nick Bottom shows that Peter Quince is able to retain his composure even when met with a constant source of vexation. His equanimity is indeed, something we can all applaud.
Alicia Wee
3 Grace
1. What are some adjectives you would use to describe Nick Bottom based on what you have read in the play and what you saw in the video?
I think that Nick Bottom is a very arrogant, over confident and overeager character. Of all the craftsmen, he was excited to get his role, and even wanted to take on other's roles, almost trying to be a one-man show, if Quince had not stopped him. Bottom was a vast contratdiction from the other craftsmen, as they were rather uneasy with their roles and were not confident of themselves, for example, Snug mentioned, "Pray you, if it be, give it me, for i am slow of study." This shows the lack of confidence of even doing a simple act of roaring.
2. Do you like Nick Bottom? Why or why not? Substantiate your answer with examples and quotes from the play.
I do like Nick Bottom, for in plays, it is essential for actors to be eager to want to have their role and act it well. As the others, when assigned their roles, were uncertain, Bottom here, was happy to receive his role and even wanted more. Yet i agree with what Joseline had said, that he tends to get a little annoying when his overeagerness gets to his head and interrupts Quince in his job to assign others their roles.
3. Peter Quince is rather good at ensuring that the most suitable person plays the different roles in their little play. Based on the way he deals with Bottom, what sort of a person would you say Peter Quince was?
I would say that Peter Quince is a firm, cautious and confident man. Even after Bottom's persistant pleading of letting him take on the other roles, Quince stands by the principles and promptly declines it, repeatedly. He takes into consideration the outcome if he actually allowed Bottom to take on Snug's part of the Lion. He stated, " An you should do it too terribly you would fright the Duchess and the ladies that they would shriek; and that were enough to hang us all." This shows that he thinks before acting.
Xiang Xi
3GR
I think that Bottom is a very irritating person. He also likes to show off his "talents". I do not like Bottom at all. He is too showy. When ever Peter assigns a character to someone, Bottom always interrupts and say that he can act that character better. He thinks he could perform the play all by himself. He think too highly of himself. He does not know when to stop. If I was Peter, I would be very angry at Bottom and scolding him.
Peter Quince is a very convincing the tolerant person. Peter is able to convince Bottom that he should act the character he is assigned every time he tries to say that he can act another character. After so many times of interruption from Bottom, Peter still kept his clam and continued to assign the characters. From here we can see that he is very patient and tolerable.
I feel that he deserves being transfigured into a donkey (ass). At least now he would not be so arrogant anymore. It is also a good thin that he was transfigured into a donkey, he gained the fairy's love. That is something more valuable then his face. HAHA
JiaJing
3Respect
I think Bottom is a vain , imaginative , overconfident , annoying but rather funny. Bottom in Act1 scene2 questioned Peter Quince’s ability to lead. It is seen that Bottom is very satisfied and proud of himself and assumes himself as a leader. This show that he overestimate his own abilites. He is one of the happy
-go-lucky type. He does not worried about anything. I admired him as he make several funny comments which liven the play. He volunteered to act as certain roles which do not suit him. From his enthusiasm, it proved that he treat thing seriously although he seem to be joking.
Prince Quince in other hand is serious and will be focused on everything he does. He is a born leader with strong leadership qualities. He understood all the craftmen so well that he played mind games with them. Example “for Pyramus is a sweet-faced man; a proper man as one shall see in a summer day; a most lovely gentle man.” As the director of the play, he assigned the roles to suit each character and complete things in a orderly manner.
Henry Chua 3BN
Q1) Nick Bottom is a person that thinks fully of himself. He thinks that his acting skills would be so good that audience will "look to their eyes" and that he will "move storms". He also said that he could play Ercles rarely, or a part to tear a cat in, to make all split. He thinks of himself as a tyrant. He keeps saying he is also suitable for other characters. This also shows that he thinks highly of himself. He is also a sarcastic person. From the title of the play, we could tell that it would be a sad n melancholy one. Yet he says that it would be a merry one.
Q2) Nick Bottom appeals to me in terms of the comic effect he created in this play as well as his dramatic character. His self-confident and boastful character also makes him stand out more than the others.
In the play, when he said he could take on the role of that particular character, he will act it out to prove that what he said was no scam. For e.g., when he said he could be Thisbe role, he said a few lines of words and when he said it, it was in a very funny tone. Also, when he says he could take on the role of the lion, he roared and it was convincing.
When he knew that he was assigned to the role of Pyramus, he said he that he will act so well that audience will weep their eyes out and he said a paragraph of words. He said it in a tone which is so domineering and impressive, that really brings out the effect of certain words like “shivering”, ”raging” and “break”. After saying it, he praises himself by saying “This was lofty!” Everyone laughed, but his boastful acts did not come to a cessation because of this mockery by the others.
On the whole, Nick Bottom helps to lighten the atmosphere in the play with his behavior as well as the things he said.
Q3) I would say that he is a person that knows how to deal with a person. This means that he knows what to do or what to say to command people. This is an important quality to be a leader. Also, he is a person that can take nonsense which shows that he is a very patient guy.
When Nick Bottom keeps saying things which interrupts him, he was not angry with him. Instead, he opposes every comments of Nick’s with good reasons which Nick’s cannot retaliate. For e.g., Nick says that he could play the role of the lion very well. However, Quince says that he will be too convincing that he will scare the guests.
I said that he knows what to do to command people because he knows that Nick is a person that thinks highly of himself. So, he name out all the pros of Pyramus, which eventually convinced Nick into acting Pyramus. This also shows that Quince is a clever and cunning person.
Su Ying
3Grace
I think that Nick Bottom is proud and overconfident. He only thinks of himself and feels that he is better than anyone else as he wanted to play many roles and even claims that he can play well in every role. However, Nick Bottom is also quite a funny chcarcter. His funny lines add humor to the play, which in turn lets people enjoy the play even more and help them have a better understanding of what the play is all about.
Personally, I like Nick Bottom. Although he is sometimes annoying in the play, but he is humorous. He uses funny comments to make people have a better understanding of the play because most people will be more interested in plays which have some humor in them. However, it is sometimes annoying to see him being so impatient in the play and interrupting people's lines.
Peter Quince is a serious person and knows very well what he is doing. He knows the good and bad points of each actor, and knows how to make use of their good points and cover their bad points. He assign roles to actors who are suitable and not just for the sake of finding someone to play that role. Therefore, he is also a good director. He also has many good ideas ansd is intelligent as he knows how to deal with Nick Bottom and also get the team's attention to listen to him.
I feel that the amount of humor has
definitely increased. There is also a twist as the fairy queen falls in love with him after he was transfigured into a donkey. Most people, including me, will not expect this to happen as it is not logical to fall for a human who has been transfigured into a donkey. However, Nick Bottom can also be counted as lucky as he lost his looks but gained his love.
I think that NIck Bottom is over confident of himself. He thinks that he is able to play the other roles better than the assigned actors.He is also sure that he will win the Duke's approval when he says"I will roar that it will do any man's heart good to hear me. I will roar that I will make the Duke say,'let him roar again, let him roar again.'
Bottom is proud as he seems to doubt Peter Quince's judgement of him and the other craftsmen. He does not trust Quince's judgement as he thinks he can play the other roles well too.
bottom is also ignorant as he is always interrupting Quince and cannot tell that Quince is irritated by him, infering from his body language.
I like bottom as he adds humour after the rather tense scene in act 1 scene 1. Although i find him irritating at times, interrupting and questioning him, I like it that Bottom knows how to relent at the correct times, which shows that there is a serious side of him too.when he says he wants to be Thisbe, Quince does not agree and says "well proceed". Thus we can tell that although Bottom likes to crack jokes and is interruptive, he still knows his limits and knows when to stop. He also trusts that Quince has made the right decisions and does not make things difficult for him. I also like Bottom as he is confident and does not fear being embarrassed or laughed at.
Peter Quince is very fluent and tactful in flattering Bottom so as to get him to play his role."you can play no part but Pyramus; for pyramus is a sweet-faced man;a proper man as one shall see in a summer's day; a most lovely, gentleman like man" afterwhich Bottom says" well, i undertake it".
He is also very systematic and organised as he starts from the main actor ,Pyramus to the lion. Quince is also a goode leader who has authority over all the other craftsmen. Although bottom is a character who gives trouble to him, he still manages to get bottom to play his part. Bottom also asks Quince what beard he should use, which shows his enthusiasm and excitement of his role after Quince's compliment. He is not easily distracted by Bottom and does not let him disrrupt the way he carries out his task.
Bottom is transfigured into a donkey later in the play. making his character more interesting and humourous. I think Shakespeare includes this part as he wants to inject some humour in the tension of the play. It also makes the readers interested as they will wonder if the Queen will fall in love with a donkey.
Alicia
3BN
I personally think that Bottom is arrogant and rude and not to mention bossy .He was given the main role of Pyramus but the arrogant Bottom wanted to play all the roles including that of the lion .E.g "An I may hide my face ,let me play Thisbe too .I'll speak in monstrous little voice :Thisne,Thisne!"Further more the bossy Bottom also insist that he can play these roles very well and will certainly move the audience,"Let me play the lion too . I will roar that I will do any man's heart good to hear me ." .He is also rude as he keeps interrupting Peter Quince to make comments .
Although Bottom is highly irritating , he provides some comic relief in the tense atmosphere. He also seems quite enthusiastic about the play and I applaud for that . He is also the most significant craftsman and unlike the others who have a lack of character and under developed .
For Peter Quince , I feel that he is a born leader and commands much respect among the craftsman . He decides on the roles and nobody dares disagree except the proud Bottom . Even when bottom was irritating , he explains things to Bottom patiently and never flares up although he did use a little sarcasm when he said "An you should do it too terribly you would fright the Duchess and the ladies that they would shriek; and that was enough to hang us all ."However I find that Peter is boring and lacks character unlike Bottom.
By transfiguring Bottom into donkey , the play becomes more hilarious .Bottom got his just desserts by being mocked and laughed at .However he is also lucky in a way that the fairy queen fell in love with him .How ironic . This scene also emphasizes that love is blind .
Wilson Goh
3BN
In my perspective, Bottom is an over-confident and selfish person. Even though he constantly volunteers to take up any part in the play which might seem a good point to me 'enthusiastic', however, this action could also be described as selfish as he never spare a thought for the others. He always feels that he is good enough and is indispensable. Without the rest such as Robin, Tom etc, the play can still be carried out peacefully and gracefully, however, he thinks that without him, there would not even be play due to the lousy acting of the rest of them. i do not like Nick Bottom as i think that he is a carpenter who is so full of himself that he unknowingly neglects the feelings of his comrades. Even so, we should try looking at the good points of Nick Bottom such that without his countless entertainment, the play would be lackluster.
I think that Peter Quince is a carpenter who cares about the feelings of his friends as he knows that everyone is important to make the play a beautiful and memorable one. As a result, he allocates the different roles to the rest of the carpenters based on their appearance and calibre. He is quite a tactful guy as he manages to deal with Nick Bottom indirectly, without hurting his feelings. He claims that Nick Bottom can only act that certain role because no one else is handsome and can act out the role more smoothly than he can. This actually portrays his leadership as he manages to strike a balance between their relationships such that by allocating the role to the person would not hurt his feelings or make him feel inferior!!
Chang Bing Lin
3BN
1)i think that bottom is a confident person. Both in the book and the play, bottom was confident of playing the roles of different characters. Although assigned to the role of pyramus, he wanted other roles like thisbe and the lion,(act1 scene2, line 48-50 and 66-69)"an i may hide my face, let me play thisbe too. i'll speak in a monstrous little voice..." and "let me play the lion too. i will roar that i will roar that i will do any man's heart good to hear me,..." and whenever he tried to fight for that role, he would say something to impress and to convince quince that he could take on roles other than pyramus. It shows that he has confident in his acting. Although confident, he is quite proud too. At the beginning of the scene 2, bottom kept correcting the way quince speaks and even taught him what to do when quince is actually the leader.
Another would be fickle minded.
After he was given the role of pyramus, he volunteered to play the other roles. first it was thisbe, then the lion. it shows that he is an indecisive person who just can't seem to make up his mind on one thing.
2)No. i detest people who are proud. Although it is good to be confident, it was too much that it became arrogance. he even told quince what to do.(line 2-3)"you were best to call them generally, man by man, according to the scrip",(line 8-10)"first, good peter quince, say what the play treats on; then read the names of the actors; and so grow to a point." of course, members have the right to voice their opinions but at all times, listen to his instructions and cooperate with him. Hence, i dislike people like him.
3)He is a firm, decisive and determined character. Quince has assigned bottom a role and therefore, keeps his stand that he shall be doing the role of pyramus and no more. He rejected bottom's request again and again to show his determination to have bottom take the role that was assigned to him.
Charles
3GR
I think that Nick Bottom is cocky, overconfident and full of himself. He brings the rational and irrational elements of the play together in several ways. Bottom is ready to take on anything. I don't really like him as a character especially when he wants to play every part in the play. This can be seen as he says: “An I may hide my face, let me play Thisbe too. I’ll speak in a monstrous little voice: ‘Thisne, Thisne!’- ‘Ah Pyramus...
Peter Quice is serious since he is the director of the play.He is also intelligent and has high tolerance.He is smart and tactful at managing tactics to let his actors accpet they roles that they are given.
Marcus
3Grace
In my opinion, in AMSND, Nick Bottom is essentially someone who is harmlessly conceited, a braggart,and an overly confident character.
I do like Nick Bottom's character, i feel that he injects much needed humor and light on the play and it is especially hilarious to see him overestimating his abilities, claiming the right to play every single character in the play. However, it is a little too much of him to be interrupting Peter Quince at every corner and it tends to get on one's nerves.
Peter Quince is someone born with a honeyed tongue and sharp wits and is a someone who can judge s person accurately. For example, he knows his group of actors very well, dishing out the characters to those who could and would play them well. He also goes about making suggestions to the actors as to how to play their characters. Also, When Bottom volunteers to play parts other than the one he was assigned (that
of Pyramus), Quince flatters Bottom until the latter agrees to play the part of Pyramus. When Bottom wants to play the lion's part, for example, Quince argues that he will play it too well, and frighten all the ladies, and get himself and the rest of them hanged as a result.
Later in the play, when Bottom gets transformed into a man with the head of an ass,Bottom’s clownish qualities come forth in full force here. Instead of being frightened by his new situation as Titania’s lover, he quickly accepts it as something odd but something he can quickly adjust to and decides
Titania is the strange one since she falls in love with him. The humor is in his instantaneous decision to fill the role of her beloved. This is the same man who cautioned that the ladies in the audience will need Prologues to
prepare them from the sword scene and the Lion in the play. He now has implicitly reversed his position from one of insisting upon protection for the ladies to that of being the object from which a lady needs to be
protected (although he seems unaware he has an ass’s head at this time).His wit is
quick, hilariously funny if the point is understood, and clever in view of his present situation. He possesses all the attributes of a contemporary stand−up comic who plays the audience well.
The craftsmen played an important role in the stroy as well.They let the readers informed of how the play will be like,the different characters and the type of play being presented in Theseus's wedding with Hippolyta.
In my opinion,Bottom is a proud an arrogant person.But he is also an optimistic person.He wants to act all the roles in the play,thinking that he could do a better job than the actors.This shows that he thinks highly of himself.
Peter Quince is a very patient person.He has good leadership qualities and hence able to lead the group to greater heights. He also knows about each person's strengths and weaknesses so that he would be able to assign the various suitable roles for different people so as to make the play an effective one.
Charles
3GR
Themes:
1.Difficulties in love
The course of true love never did run smooth,” comments Lysander, articulating one of A Midsummer Night’s Dream’s most important themes—that of the difficulty of love.The prime instance of this imbalance is the asymmetrical love among the four young Athenians: Hermia loves Lysander, Lysander loves Hermia, Helena loves Demetrius, and Demetrius loves Hermia instead of Helena—a simple numeric imbalance in which two men love the same woman, leaving one woman with too many suitors and one with too few.
2.Magic and Dreams
Although the misuse of magic causes chaos, as when Puck mistakenly applies the love potion to Lysander’s eyelids, magic ultimately resolves the play’s tensions by restoring love to balance among the quartet of Athenian youths. Additionally, the ease with which Puck uses magic to his own ends, as when he reshapes Bottom’s head into that of an ass and recreates the voices of Lysander and Demetrius, stands in contrast to the laboriousness and gracelessness of the craftsmen’s attempt to stage their play.
3.Love's blindness
Egeus accuses Lysander of bewitching Hermia with love charms and intriguing songs, but the perceptive reader knows this is simply Egeus creating a fantastic excuse to justify his cruel treatment of his daughter.
4.Love's excesses and foolishness
The play shows passion’s conflict with reason. For example, Egeus’ rigid, patriarchal view of the world clashes with his daughter’s notion of love and freedom.
YiFan
3GR
I think that Nick Bottom is obnoxious and full of himself. He thinks that he's the best candidate for all the roles in the play and wants to undertake all of them. He does not accept Peter Quince's reasons for the roles of the play and comes up with many methods to prove that he's the best, thus the reason for me not liking him.
Peter Quince seems to be very patient and serious. He tried to explain the reasons for all the roles chosen in the play and took the play very seriously. He considered on how the audience might react upon the play and thought of the consequences the play might cause. As with the dealing of Nick Bottom, Peter Quince patiently explains his reasons and even pauses to allow Nick Bottom to say his piece. Although he seems to be in charge of the play, he does not uses his position to his advantage and allows Nick Bottom to voice out his opinions. He isn't domineering and treats all fellow actors with respect.
I think that his transformation into a donkey makes his character funnier. It was amusing to see how he made a fool of himself by asking the fellow actors why they are running away and what did they see, when it was him who was causing the whole commotion.It also serves as a punishment for being arrogant but instead of being laughed at, the fairy queen fell in love with him due to the spell. This only makes him more full of himself and boost his confidence because he could actually "make" the fairy queen fall in love with a donkey.
Su Yanyun
3GR-ACE!
1. Some adjectives I would use to describe Nick Bottom with are self-assured, conceited, silly, attention seeking and egotistical. All these can be seen in both the book and the video as they show how he’s so sure that he can act very well, as well as how he tries to convince Peter Quince to let him act as many parts as possible.
2. I do not like him. However, I find him rather comical, not unlike someone I would very much like to laugh at. As he tries to convince Peter Quince to let him play the parts of Thisbe and the lion, trying to make him believe that he can play them very well, his attention seeking personality comes through, and he sounds almost desperate and rather silly with his “An I may hide my face, let me play Thisbe too. I’ll speak in a monstrous little voice: ‘Thisne, Thisne!’”, “Let me play the lion too. I will roar that I will do any man’s heart good to hear me. I will roar that I will make the Duke say, ‘Let him roar again, let him roar again.’, and “But I will aggravate my voice so that I will roar you as gently as any sucking dove. I will roar you an ‘twere any nightingale.” It is almost as if he would do anything just to get more parts to act, more chances to be noticed.
3. I would say that he was a person who could very well make it to be like a modern-day director. His ability to encourage Nick Bottom by saying that “Pyramus is a sweet-faced man; a proper man as one shall see in a summer’s day; a most lovely, gentleman-like man. Therefore you must needs play Pyramus.” Implied in a way to Nick Bottom that he was most well suited to play the character with such good qualities, complimenting him and always insisting that Nick plays Pyramus and Pyramus only. This shows how smart and strong-willed he is, just like how most modern-day directors have to be in order for them to direct good movies.
Reading and thinking forward: Plot
1. I feel that the animal he is transfigured into suits his character just well. Just like how he is asinine, his head is transfigured into an ass’ head, showing his character not just in the way he acts, but in the way he looks. I don’t feel any pity at all for him; instead, I feel that he deserves it, and see that it really is rather funny.
Hoe Lin Bing
3BN
1.Nick Bottom's character
-Arrogant
He claims to be able to play all the parts in the play well.
-overconfident
He thinks he can play the parts so well that the audience will response strongly to his performance
-unsensitive
He made caustic comments without first thinking of how others feel
-thinks he is smart
He interupt Quince each time he made a decision by making some comments. Here, he is trying to act smart.
2.I like Nick Bottom . Despite his arrogance and irritating character, he made some good contributions by making sensible remarks during the dicussion between the workmen. Despite interupting Quince all the time, he conveyed the idea of how each play should be played clearly to the reader. His presence also add humour to the story. The humor surrounding Bottom often stems from the fact that he is totally unaware of his own ridiculousness. His stupid remarks make him an eye-sore yet an outstanding character that provide comic relief.
3.He is a firm and responsible person, upholding a leadership post. He dished out the parts to the most suitable candiates and patiently explain to Bottom why each person should play each role. He insisted that Bottom should play no other parts but Pyramus only. with such high leverl of organisation and leadership, william Shakespear foretell us the play at the wedding will be a a success.
4.
When transfigured into a donkey, Bottom still foolishly thinks that he is important. He thinks that love given from the fairy queen is what he deserved, including serveants to attend to him. His is totally unaware that his head had been treansfigured to that of an ass and this parallels his inability to perceive facts.
Chua Boon Hee
3RP
1) I would say Nick Bottom is talented, has great potential, imaginative, attention seeking and is a straightforward kind of person.
2)I do like Nick Bottom. From my opinion, Bottom is not much of a proud or arrogant person. He tells Peter Quince what to do in a way that seems like he is ordering Peter Quince. I think that is because that he does not know how to express himself to well. He might be actualy advising Peter Quince on what to do, helping Peter Quince in a sense, but he is not someone that is aware of the feelings of people around him. He tends to be straightforward in conveying his thoughts. He is someone with potential. He may be looked down as an irritating and arrogant person because of his showy attitude, that does not respect Peter Quince as the leader. However, he is contributing a lot to the play. He is like a tiger in some sense for he is a talent, but a one that the leader must be wary of as he might prove to be unable to be 'tamed', controlled and may even outshine the leader in a team at the end. A fightful but valuable asset, only extremely intelligent people like Peter Quince is able to let the 'tiger' discover his full potential yet to an extend not to let the tiger 'devour' you. From his demonstration of taking on several roles of the play, he shows his great potential and talent. Page 53, lines 47-50 and lines 66-69 is an example of Bottom trying to take on several roles of the play.
3)Peter Quince is an intelligent person with good leadership quialities. He knows his team inside out and therfore is able to lead them to success in whatever their mission might be. He knows that Bottom is a 'tiger'(as described and explained in Q2 of my comment), and deals with him in a special way. He emphasize that Bottom's role, Pyramus is somewhat a most perfect man, one with great looks and attitude. He is in fact, indirectly praising Bottom so that Bottom would be satisfied in a sense. Simply said, Peter Quince is patronising Bottom by making Bottom think his role in the play is the main lead, the best one. This is to ensure that he does not 'harrass' Peter Quince to let him act out all the roles in the play. For that to work, Bottom must first be pleased. Bottom must feel like he is well respected and treated like a god, a king, someone that is a better from the rest. Peter Quince is able to endure the anger or pissed-off feeling he might have and patronise Bottom. If he tells Bottom that Bottom is arrogant or not the best, consequences might be severe. A possible result is Bottom getting angry that he is not treated importantly. As a result of that, he might abandon his role of Pyramus and leave the team. Then, the play will be a disaster without a capable person to act out Pyramus. This also shows that Peter Quince is able to make good decisions, considering all factors that might cause the downfall of whatever he might be planning to do. That is also must-have leadership quality.
1)Bottom's character as stated in my answer of Q2, makes me want to laugh when he is transfigured later on in the play. Perhaps it is because of his bad attitude that makes the reader think that he deserves to be transfigured into a donkey. For example, if Peter Quince would be transfigured into a donkey instead of Bottom, the reader might feel empathy or pity for Peter Quince as he does not seem like one that deserves such a fate. In a result, the comic relief effect would be unsuccessful. Therefore Bottom's character is most suitable for the downgrade(transfigured into a donkey). The fate of Bottom makes the reader relieve from the tense situation before he is transfigured into a donkey, so as to enable the reader to accept any other tense situation after the transfiguration. Only Bottom's character is able to produce such results.
Ann Gie
3GR
Question1)
I think that Bottom is mainly being overconfident,selfish and he does not get embarrassed easily.
Overconfident: “That will ask some tears in the true performing of it. If I do it, let the audience look to their eyes! I will move storms; I will condole in some measure…….condoling.” Bottom is trying to convince Peter to let him play every role. He has the confidence that he is able to portrait each character better than the others.
Does not get embarrassed easily: “An I may hide my face, let me play Thisbe too. I’ll speak in a monstrous little voice: “Thisbe, Thisbe!”……dear!” This shows that he is absolutely unafraid of people thinking that he is very proud. He thinks highly of himself and does not think that his actions are embarrassing.
Selfish: He wants to act as every character of the play. This will not give the others a chance in performing and being part of the play.
Question2)
I do not like Nick Bottom. I feel that he portraits a very proud and he is overconfident. He thinks too highly of himself and his showy attitude will get him nowhere. He thinks that he is good in everything and wants to take over every role. He isn’t being fair to the rest of the people. If he acts every role, the others will not have a chance in acting in part of the play. He is also a little selfish. His selfishness makes people dislike him.
Question3)
I feel that Peter is a very fair person and he also treats others with respect. He is also very neat and organized. He gives everybody a role in the play and he makes sure that everybody portraits their own character well. He is also a very responsible leader as he knows the capability of each and everyone of them and assign them to the appropriate roles. Peter also does not like anyone to interrupt him when he is talking. Bottom keeps interrupting him when he is assigning the roles to everyone and that made him pass off a statement which immediately made Bottom speechless. “Pyramus is a fine gentleman. No one is fit to play him but you, Bottom. No one but you!” .
Reading and thinking forward:plot)
I feel that my impression of Bottom changes later in the play. I felt that Bottom changing into a donkey and the part where the fairy queen who was under a spell fell in love with him was kind of humourous. It was a sudden twist.
1.) Some adjectives that I will use to describe Nick Bottom are dictatorial (always ordering people arnd), spirited and enthusiastic (energy level was high throughout the scene), outspoken and candid (always speaking his mind), and also, dramatic and confident (always so full of himself).
2.) Although Nick Bottom is quite unserious and always trying to be in the limelight, I kind of like him as a comic relief character. I think that he’s always overflowing with excitement and is really lively and cheerful. Thus, he brings ‘life’ to the story and leaves a strong impression on me as compared to all the other craftsmen. The fact that he’s over confident adds humour to the play as his actions are all dramatic and exaggerated.
(pg 51, lines 27-34: ‘‘the raging rocks, And shivering shocks….The foolish Fates.’’)
(pg 53 lines 48-50: ‘‘I’ll speak in a monstrous little voice….lady dear!’’)
Nick Bottom’s portrayal of his self confidence makes him sound inane and funny.
(pg 53 lines 67-69: ‘‘I will roar that I will make the Duke say,‘ let him roar again, let him roar again.’)
Nick Bottom also shows justifiable pride in his weaving skills.
(pg 55 lines 86-89: ‘‘I will discharge it in either your straw-colour beard…your
perfect yellow.’’
3.)I think that Peter Quince is serious in his work and he is very focused on his task. He does not digress at all and stuck to his points throughout the scene. He would have finished the role assignment much quicker without Nick Bottom’s comical interruptions. I feel that Quince also possesses leadership qualities and he remains calm and firm even when Bottom kept interrupting. He also managed to persuade Bottom to take up the role of Pyramus even though Bottom was reluctant at first.
Amanda
3GR
I think that Nick Bottom is just like how I expected him to be from the play when I watched the video. Nick Bottom is given a specific role in which Peter Quince thinks he is suitable for but Nick is not happy and thinks that he will be able to do a better job then the others for the other characters. He is aggressive, proud and confident as he wants to take up many roles to show that he will be able to do it well and that the Duchess will like him.
I do not like Nick Bottom as I think that he is very selfish, self-centered and thinks too highly of himself. He wants most of the roles for himself and wants to show off his “talents” but didn’t care about the feelings of his friends and that everyone should be given an equal opportunity to perform. When Peter Quince asked Flute to play Thisbe, Nick Bottom wanted to play too. “An I may hide my face, let me play Thisbe too. I’ll speak in a monsterous little voice: ‘Thisne, Thisne!’Ah, Pyramus, my lover dear! Thy Thisbe dear, and lady dear!” When Peter asked Snug to play the lion, Peter too wants to play. “Let me play the lion too. I will roar that I will do any man’s heart good to hear me. I will roar that I will make the Duke say,’Let him roar again. Let him roar again.’
I think that Peter Quince is someone who possess leadership qualities and that everyone in t6he group looks up to him. He is someone calm and does things decisively. He doesn’t change the roles just because Nick pleads with him as he distributes the roles according to the person that is most suitable for them. When Nick asked to play Thisbe and Peter doesn’t approve shows that Nick is scraed of Peter and looks up at him as he did not dare to argue back when he was being rejected. He is well respected in the group.
Jennifer
3BN
In my opinion, Nick Bottom is extremely arrogant, snobbish, even ambitious but still funny in a sense. His over-confidence is what usually makes him stand out as a bold character and tries to outshine Peter Quince in every aspect. Bottom thinks highly of himself and thinks that he is suitable to handle all the roles. Like what the others have mentioned, he is a definite comic relief to the play with his amusing gestures and speech and contrasting personality, livening up the otherwise boring play.
I like Nick Bottom as I think that he plays a crucial role in providing humour in the play and his confidence( if not, over-confident). At the start of Act 1 Scene 2, he assured Quince, saying “A very good piece of work, I assure you.”. He is bold and unafraid of voicing out his feelings. I admire his ambitiousness and belief in his capabilities. It can be seen from “ Let me play Thisbe too” and “ Let me play the lion too”. Bottom is authoritative when he mentioned at the beginning. “ First, good Peter Quince,… and so grow to a point”. It seems as if he is trying to order Quince about. But Bottom is respectful and knows his limits. When Quince refused lightly to hand in the other roles of Thisbe and the lion, he did not continue further but quietened down and listened to Quince without complaint.
Based on the way Peter Quince handled Bottom, we can easily perceive he is a stable and mature man. He speaks with authority but not boastful and is calm. He seems to be the natural leader amongst the entire group and the craw abide to him too. Quince is wise and tactful in persuading boisterous Bottom to accept his role, dealing with him easily and without a single bickering. Quince is responsible. We can see that from “An you should do it too terribly… enough to hang us all.” He takes care of the crew very well and thinks carefully about every detail.
When Bottom was later transfigures in the play, it was extremely hilarious! It brought about a more relaxed side to the play, easing the tension. Bottom’s character stayed constant though he was transfigured into a donkey. I was intrigued into knowing whether the Queen would really fall for Bottom, which probably proved that this part of the play to be highly effective.
Characterisation
1. I think that Nick Bottom is rather humorous, talkative and overly confident of himself.
-He mimicked the “monstrous little voice” of Pyramus and Thisbe, which made all the other craftsmen break out into laughter, except maybe Peter Quince. He also recited a short poem “The raging rocks and shivering shocks shall break the locks of prison gates, and Phibbus’ car shall shine from far, and make and mar the foolish Fates” to showcase his ”talent” to play a tyrant or a gallant hero like Hercules.
-He interrupts almost every sentence of Peter Quince announcement and derives joy from it. As Quince announced that Flute shall take the role of Thisbe, Bottom quickly says that he is able to play the role of Thisbe well if he also dons a mask. Also, he volunteers to play that part when Quince announced that Snug is playing the role of the lion.
-He is overly-confident of his leadership skills and likes to instruct Peter Quince around. “First, good Peter Quince, say what the play treats on; then read the names of the actors; and so grow to a point.” Also, he seems to be proud of his acting skills and wants to play every role in the play. “Let me play the lion too. I will roar that I will do any man’s heart good to hear me.”
2. I do not quite like Nick Bottom as he is very arrogant and keeps interrupting Peter Quince in his announcement. However, he is very respectful towards Peter Quince and does not bicker about the decisions he has made as he is well aware that Peter Quince is a man who knows his duties well. When Peter Quince explained that Pyramus is a gentlemen and that Bottom is most suited to take on this role, Bottom simply replied,” Well, I will undertake it.”
3. I feel that Peter Quince is well-organized and has put great thoughts and the craftsmen individual characteristics into consideration before assigning them their roles. He is also very patient with Bottom as he calmly explains to Bottom why not he should play the roles he is not assigned and why he is suited to play Pyramus. He is also a rather stern person as he never seems to be laughing at the jokes that Bottom makes.
Reading and thinking forward: Plot
It becomes rather ironic as he is now made the joke of the play while previously, he is the one making the funny jokes. Also, his character does not show much of a change and he is still his usual arrogant self and even orders Titania’s servants as if they were his. As he is ignorant of his ass-head, he is very proud and honoured that Queen of the Fairies falls in love with him and also puzzled that his fellow craftsmen run away in fright from him. “Why do they run away? This is a knavery of them to make me afeard.”
wu yi
3MD
Nick is hilarious and very naive.
He has a heart of an innocent child.
He thinks every part is suitable for him and renact them with much humour.
He brings joy to the audience as well as to his companions.
Because in the play,his other companions laughed when Bottom said he could play the part of a lion well also.
As to the comment that he is proud,i beg to differ.
Bottom is certainly in my opinion not proud at all.
By saying that he could act in other roles,he is just fooling around.
As Pyramus is a tragic character,he might not want to do it.
But by actin as the lion,he only need to roar to entertain the crowd.
He is "slack" and lazy in a sense.
Trying to land himself in a role that does not require much effort at all.
Quince, in my opinion,is serious.
But I doubt if his decision on Bottom playing the role as Pyramus is correct.
Pyramus is a tragic lover in the play.But Bottom's character is world's apart from it.So I guess maybe Quince knew about Bottom's acting skills or maybe he just wanted to transform the tragic play into a funny one instead? to balance the "yin" and "yang"?
He is a confident person who has certain charisma in him that would make the crew obey him.
He knew how to persuade the crew to accept the part they are playing.
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