The comic situation is the craftsmen preparing a play for the wedding, and the comic character is Bottom.
A comic situation is a story line that is intended to provide comic relief or humor. While this play is not particularly dark, the craftsmen’s storyline is definitely intended for humor. Specifically, the character Bottom is the butt of all of the jokes, and has the audience laughing pretty much every time he is on stage.
The craftsmen, or mechanicals, have decided to get together to perform a play for Theseus and Hippolyta’s upcoming wedding. None of them are professional actors. They know that if their play is not well-received, they could be severely punished. The play they have chosen is also a love story, Pyramus and Thisbe.
Pyramus and Thisbe is a very odd selection for a wedding. It is a tragic, Romeo and Juliet sort of love story. Two young people fall in love, but are kept apart by their families and only communicate (and kiss) through a wall. Pyramus finds Thisbe’s bloody cloak and thinks she is dead. He kills himself, then Thisbe finds him and kills herself. It is rather dark and depressing. However, in the craftsmen’s inept hands, it becomes unintentionally hilarious.
First of all, Bottom thinks he is the best actor that ever was and wants to play every part. He is actually a weaver. He gives their leader, Quince, all kinds of trouble.
An I may hide my face, let me play Thisby too, I'll
speak in a monstrous little voice. 'Thisne,
Thisne;' 'Ah, Pyramus, lover dear! thy Thisby dear,
and lady dear!'No, no; you must play Pyramus: and, Flute, you Thisby. (Act 1, Scene 2)
The craftsmen go to rehearse in the woods, so that they can practice in secret. Unfortunately, they have no idea that the woods are the domain of the fairies. Puck is annoyed that they are so close to Titania’s home, and he decides to have some fun with them. He replaces Bottom’s head with that of an ass (a donkey), and terrifies all of the other mechanicals.
The fun with Bottom doesn’t end there. Puck also uses the love potion to anoint Titania’s eyes so that she falls in love with Bottom. Bottom enjoys the attention and just goes along with it. He doesn’t seem to find anything too odd about being kidnapped and waited on by a group of fairies.
During the actual play, things get ever funnier. The prologue gives a meandering version of the entire plot. The audience shows no respect at all, talking during the entire production. They comment and make fun of all the actors, who do their best but are hopelessly inept. The audience finds it particularly amusing that the wall talks.
Would you desire lime and hair to speak better?
It is the wittiest partition that ever I heard
discourse, my lord. (Act 5, Scene 1)
In the end, despite how terrible the play was the craftsmen are commended because everyone had a good time. At this point the lovers have been properly paired, Titania and Oberon are back together, and Theseus and Hippolyta are married. Everyone is happy!
Shakespeare uses the craftsmen and the play within a play to give the audience an additional commentary on love. Despite the humor, the story is tragic. It is a reminder that when people are in love, they will do anything to be together. Not every love story can have a happy ending.
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