Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

Heather Workman
University of Michigan-Flint
“Lord, what fools these mortals be!”: Bottom’s Both Foolish and Noble Role in
Grindley’s Production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream
In David Grindley’s production of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Bottom is a
complex character that is both silly and intelligent. In order to bring director Grindley’s vision to life, Actor
Geraint Wyn Davies, who plays Bottom, transforms Bottom into a character that not only can be laughed at,
but sympathized with and listened to. Bottom is implied to be foolish with his sloppy style and animated
behavior, and is made completely ridiculous when he performs as Pyramus in the artisan’s play with the
other laughable actors. But the production also offers that Bottom is not only silly and childlike, but
charismatic and intelligent. Bottom holds the attention of his group, assuming a natural leader position, and
offers insight about love. Grindley’s portrayal of Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream varies from
the idiotic Bottom to the more intelligent and noble Bottom. Bottom can be seen as foolish
throughout the play and in his performance of Pyramus and Thisbe, which is only complimented by
the other artisans, but also as a nobler version of himself in different stages of the play.
Grindley first introduces his audience to Bottom, who is foolish in both his dress and
behavior. When Bottom enters the stage for the first time late in the first act his appearance gives the
impression that he is a silly man. His belt fails to hold his pants up and instead sits below his round stomach,
while his face is covered by bushy sideburns and a wide smile. The lack of structure in his clothing, as while
his lighthearted attitude that he carries himself with, implies that Bottom is incapable of being serious and
ignorant of his image. Bottom is also seen as childlike in his expressions. Wyn Davies portrays a Bottom
that is very animated in his face
and hands; his face lights up when he smiles and he is quick to use hand motions when acting as the various
roles he wants to play. His gestures combined with his voice variations, which allow him to “roar you as
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