Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

laughable character and continues to throughout their performance. When dying Bottom shouts “Die!” and
crawls around the floor, making sure to look into the faces of the Athenian audience, until he returns to the
middle of the stage to finally die. The Athenian audience critiques, saying “with the help of a surgeon he
might yet recover and yet prove an ass” as what is supposed to be a lamentable death scene has transformed
into a “lamentable comedy” like the rest of their performance (5.1.327-328). The seriousness of the tragedy
Pyramus and Thisbe is also lost when Bottom breaks from character, such as when he flings himself upright
to address the Duke after his death. As directed by Grindley, Wyn Davies answers the audience with
sincerity, as if Bottom cannot understand the commentary was really sarcastic and cruel.
Although Bottom often falls into the foolish ass-like creature he has been turned into by the
fairy world, Bottom can also be seen as noble and intelligent in Grindley’s production of A
Midsummer Night’s Dream. From the very beginning of the play, Grindley’s blocking of the character
features Bottom in the middle. Whether his fellow actors are sitting and looking up to him, or surrounding
him, they see Bottom as their leader. Even as the characters are walking away from Bottom, when he speaks
they turn and gravitate back towards him. In the third act, when Bottom is transformed into an ass, his
appearance does not alter to the extent that he literally takes the form of a donkey. Instead of giving Bottom
a fake head and snout, Grindley allows the audience to see his expressions as the costume change only gave
Bottom shoe-made ears, buck teeth, and hooves. Because his face is still visible, Bottom remains on a human
level that permits the audience to connect with him, and implies that his character is worth connecting to.
While still an ass, Bottom next shows his intelligence when he speaks with the Fairy Queen about love. As
Bottom says “reason and love keep little company together” Wyn Davie smiles and seems to blush, nodding
his head coyly (3.1.145-146). The actor’s presence suggests that Bottom understands the effects love has on
the heart.
After the Fairy Queen’s love has disappeared for Bottom, he returns to his crew while
Grindley suggests that he is enlightened by the change in costume, behavior, and his position.
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