Question

Analyze the mechanicals' play of Pyramus and Thisbe. What costumes do the actors wear? How do they talk and move? How frightening is the Lion? How do Wall and Moonshine present their parts? How does Pyramus "die"? What role does Peter Quince play in the scene? Where do they perform the play? Do we see both the play and the audience simultaneously, or does the camera cut between them? What is the overall effect of the mechanicals' play?

Answer 1

On the day of marriage ceremony of the Duke Theseus and Hippolyta the mechanicals of Athens perform a play on the love of Pyramus and Thisbe. It is a tragedy. Bottom plays the role of Pyramus. The story represents the deep love between the Duke and Hippolyta.

The actors use to put on the dress according to their role. Bottom plays the role of Pyramus and he puts on the dress of Prince and Flute plays the role of Thisbe and she puts on the dress of princess.

Thisbe was waiting for Pyramus at Nina' tomb. Then suddenly a lion came and she fled in fear. She left a piece of clothes there and the lion took it in its mouth and again left it. There was the mark of blood and Pyramus came and thought that Thisbe was killed by lion. Therefore he killed himself with his knife. When Thisbe found dead Pyramus she also killed herself.

Wall presents the barrier between the lovers and moon shines suggest the dim light of the moonlit night.

Pyramus killed himself with his knife.