At the palace, Theseus and Hippolyta discuss the tale the lovers have told about their

night in the wood. Theseus comments that lovers, like madmen and poets, have
"seething" brains. All three see things that don't exist because their imagination is
stronger and more disordered than that of a reasonable person. Hippolyta, though,
suspects the lovers' story must be something more, since they all had the same dream.

The lovers enter, and Theseus asks them what entertainment they'd like to see that
night. Philostrate brings forward a list of the possibilities. Theseus is interested by a
"tedious brief scene of young Pyramus and his love Thisbe, very tragical mirth" (5.1.60-
61), and wants to know how a play can be so contradictory. Philostrate replies that the
play is "tedious brief" because it's the shortest play he's every seen but still too long. It's
"tragical mirth" because at the end of the play, when Pyramus kills himself, Philostrate
cried, but only because he was laughing so hard.

When Theseus learns that the players are simple manual laborers trying to do more
than they are educated for, he decides to see it. He says that nothing "can be amiss
when simpleness and duty tender it" (5.1.88-89). Though Hippolyta objects that she
doesn't enjoy seeing men made to look silly when trying only to serve, Theseus replies
that he can tell when a man who cannot speak for nerves means to welcome him, and
that he'll reward the laborers for the spirit behind their actions, not their acting. He
adds that it will be fun to watch their mistakes.

Quince comes onstage and delivers a prologue. It is completely ludicrous. At one point,
Quince claims that the actors don't even exist: "All for your delight we are not here"
(5.1.114). Though as Theseus, Hippolyta, and the lovers remark, the prologue would
have been normal if it had been correctly punctuated. Quince continues with the
Prologue, introducing the story and also the characters: Pyramus, Thisbe, the Wall, the
Moonshine, and the Lion.

Snout introduces himself as the Wall and tells the audience that the lovers will speak
though a hole in the wall that he represents with his fingers. Theseus and Demetrius
comment that the Wall is the wittiest wall they've ever heard speak.

Bottom enters as Pyramus, and curses the Wall for dividing him from his love. Theseus
comments that since the Wall can talk it should curse him back. Bottom, overhearing,
turns to Theseus and says that the Wall actually shouldn't respond, because it doesn't
have any lines here. This speech, Bottom explains, is Thisbe's cue to enter.

Flute enters as Thisbe and approaches the Wall. Through a hole in the Wall (which is
actually Snout's separated fingers), the lovers speak about their love using numerous
incorrect references to classical mythology. Finally, they decide to meet at Ninny's tomb
(which should be Ninus's tomb) to elope. Hippolyta states, "This is the silliest stuff that
ever I heard" (5.1.222). Theseus responds, "If we imagine no worse of them than they
of themselves, they may pass for excellent men" (5.1.211-212).

Snug comes onstage as the Lion, and explains that he is not really a lion at all and that
the ladies shouldn't be frightened. Starveling enters and explains that the lantern he
holds is moonshine, while he is the man in the moon. Theseus and the others make fun
of the speeches.

Thisbe approaches Ninny's tomb but runs off and drops her mantle when the Lion roars.
The Lion plays with the mantle, then departs. When Pyramus enters, he sees Thisbe's
mantle on stage dirtied with blood that was on the lion's mouth. Thinking his love is
dead, he gives a long speech, stabs himself, then proclaims himself dead in six different
ways ("Now I am dead / Now I am fled / My soul is the sky…") before actually dying
(5.1.290-293).

Now Thisbe returns to the stage. She sees Pyramus lying dead. In despair she stabs
herself, and dies. Theseus and the lovers continue to make fun of the play all the while.
Finally, Bottom asks the audience if they would like to see an epilogue or a dance.
Theseus says, "No epilogue, I pray you. For your play needs no excuse" (5.1.372-373).
The laborers perform their dance, then exit.

Theseus says that it is almost "fairy time" (midnight), and therefore time to go to bed.
All exit.
Puck enters, followed by Oberon, Titania and their fairy followers. They dance and sing
to bless the three marriages and all the children the marriages will produce.

Everyone exits but Puck, who delivers an epilogue, in which he advises the audience
that "If we shadows have offended" (5.1.440), they should just think of the play as if it
was a dream.

Theseus and Hippolyta talk about the story the lovers told about their night in the
woods at the palace. Theseus says that lovers have "seething" brains, just like mad
people and poets. All three of them see things that don't exist because their
imaginations are more vivid and messed up than those of normal people. Hippolyta, on
the other hand, thinks there must be more to the lovers' story since they all had the
same dream.

When the lovers walk in, Theseus asks them what they'd like to do that night for fun.
Philostrate gives a list of the things that could happen. Theseus is curious about a
"tedious short scene of young Pyramus and his love Thisbe, very tragical mirth" (5.1.60-
61) and wants to know how a play can be so confusing. Philostrate replies that the play
is "tedious brief" because it's the shortest play he's ever seen, but it's still too long. It's
called "tragic mirth" because when Pyramus killed himself at the end of the play,
Philostrate cried, but only because he was laughing so hard.

When Theseus finds out that the players are just manual laborers trying to do more
than they are trained for, he decides to go see it. He says, "Nothing can go wrong when
simplicity and duty give it" (5.1.88-89). Hippolyta says that she doesn't like it when
people who are just trying to serve are made to look silly. Theseus tells her that he can
tell when a man who can't speak because of nerves wants to welcome him, and that
he'll reward the laborers for the spirit behind their actions, not for how well they act.
He also says that it will be funny to see how badly they do.

Quince comes onstage and delivers a prologue. It makes no sense at all. At one point,
Quince says that the actors don't even exist: "All for your pleasure, we are not here"
(5.1.114). Theseus, Hippolyta, and the lovers all say that the prologue would have been
normal if it had been punctuated correctly. Quince keeps going with the Prologue,
which introduces the story and the characters: Pyramus, Thisbe, the Wall, the
Moonshine, and the Lion.

Snout tells the audience that he is the Wall and that the lovers will talk through a hole
in the wall that he makes with his fingers. Theseus and Demetrius say that the Wall is
the smartest wall they've ever heard talk.

Bottom comes in as Pyramus and curses the Wall for keeping him from his love.
Theseus says that the Wall should curse him back if it can talk. Bottom overhears and
tells Theseus that the Wall shouldn't answer because it doesn't have any lines in this
situation. Bottom says that Thisbe should come in when she hears this speech.

Flute comes in as Thisbe and moves toward the Wall. The lovers talk about their love
through a hole in the Wall, which is actually Snout's fingers that are spread apart. They
make many wrong references to classical mythology. At last, they decide to run away
together by meeting at Ninny's tomb (which should be Ninus' tomb). "This is the silliest
thing I've ever heard," says Hippolyta (5.1.222). Theseus replies, "They might be good
men if we don't think less of them than they do of themselves" (5.1.211-212).

Snug comes on stage as the Lion and tells the women not to be scared because he is
not really a lion. Starveling comes in and says that he is the man in the moon and that
the lantern he is holding is moonshine. The speeches are made fun of by Theseus and
the others.
Thisbe goes up to Ninny's tomb, but when the Lion roars, she runs away and drops her
cloak. The Lion plays with the mantle for a while, then walks away. Pyramus walks
onstage and sees Thisbe's mantle, which is stained with blood from the lion's mouth.
Thinking that his love is dead, he gives a long speech, stabs himself, and then says,
"Now I am dead/Now I am fled/My soul is the sky..." six times before he actually dies
(5.1.290-293).

Now, Thisbe comes back on stage. She sees Pyramus dead on the ground. She stabs
herself to death because she is so sad. All the while, Theseus and the lovers keep
making fun of the play. At the end, Bottom asks the audience if they want an epilogue
or a dance. Says Theseus, "No epilogue, I pray you. For your play, no reason is needed "
(5.1.372-373). The workers do their dance and then leave.

Theseus says it's almost "fairy time," which is midnight, so it's time to go to bed. All exit.
Oberon, Titania, and their fairy followers follow Puck in. They dance and sing to bless
the three weddings and the children that will come from them.

No one leaves except Puck, who gives an epilogue in which he tells the audience, "If we
shadows have offended, just think of the play as a dream" (5.1.440).

Theseus and Hippolyta discuss the lovers' woods night at the palace. Theseus claims
lovers' brains "seethe" like mad people's and poets'. Their active imaginations make
them perceive things that don't exist. Hippolyta thinks the couples' story must be more
since they all experienced the same dream.

Theseus asks the couple what they want to do that night. Philostrate lists possibilities.
Theseus is confused by a "tedious brief scene of young Pyramus and his love Thisbe,
exceedingly tragical mirth" (5.1.60-61). Philostrate says the play is "tedious brief"
because it's the shortest he's seen, but too lengthy. Philostrate cried when Pyramus
murdered himself because he was laughing so hard.

When Theseus learns the players are manual laborers, he decides to watch. "Simplicity
and obligation can't fail," he argues (5.1.88-89). Hippolyta dislikes making individuals
who are serving look stupid. Theseus tells her he can tell when a man who can't talk
due to nerves wants to greet him and that he'll award laborers for their spirit, not their
skill. He believes it'll be funny to see how they do.
Quince performs a prologue. It's ridiculous. "All for your pleasure, we are not here,"
Quince says (5.1.114). Theseus, Hippolyta, and the lovers say the prologue would have
been normal with proper punctuation. Quince presents Pyramus, Thisbe, the Wall,
Moonshine, and the Lion in the Prologue.

Snout informs the audience he's the Wall and the lovers will converse through a hole he
makes. The Wall is the smartest wall Theseus and Demetrius have ever heard talk.

Bottom as Pyramus curses the Wall for keeping him from his love. The Wall should
curse Theseus back, argues Theseus. Bottom tells Theseus the Wall shouldn't answer
because it has no lines. Bottom says Thisbe should listen in.

Flute as Thisbe walks to the Wall. The lovers speak via a hole in the Wall, which is
Snout's fingers. They misquote mythology. Finally, they flee away together from Ninny's
tomb (which should be Ninus' tomb). Hippolyta thinks it's "the silliest thing ever"
(5.1.222). Theseus replies, "They could be good men if we think more of them than they
do" (5.1.211-212).

Snug appears onstage as the Lion and encourages the women not to be terrified.
Starveling believes he's the guy in the moon and his lantern is moonlight. Theseus and
others mock the speeches.

Thisbe hurries away from Ninny's grave when the Lion roars. Lion toys with mantle,
then goes away. Pyramus sees Thisbe's blood-stained robe onstage. He gives a long
speech, stabs himself, and says "Now I am dead/Now I am fled/My soul is the sky..." six
times before he dies (5.1.290-293).

Thisbe returns. Pyramus is dead. She stabs herself in sadness. Theseus and the lovers
mock the performance. Bottom asks if the audience wants an epilogue or dance.
Theseus: "Please no epilogue. Your play needs no justification " (5.1.372-373). The
dancers leave.

Theseus says it's "fairy time," or midnight, so go to bed. Leave.

Puck is followed by Oberon, Titania, and the fairies. They dance and sing to bless three
weddings and their children.

No one departs save Puck, who says, "If we shadows offended, think of the
performance as a dream" (5.1.440).
At the palace, Theseus and Hippolyta talk about their night in the woods as lovers.
Theseus says that the brains of lovers "seethe" like the brains of mad people and poets.
Their vivid thoughts lead them to think of things that don't exist. Hippolyta thinks there
must be more to the couples' story since they all had the same dream.

The couple is asked what they want to do that night by Theseus. Philostrate lists
possibilities. Theseus is confused by a "tedious short scene of young Pyramus and his
love Thisbe, exceedingly tragical mirth" (5.1.60-61). Philostrate says the play is "tedious
brief" because it's the shortest he's ever seen, but it's too long. When Pyramus killed
himself, it made Philostrate laugh so hard that he cried.

When Theseus finds out that the players are people who work with their hands, he
decides to watch. "Simplicity and duty can't go wrong," he says (5.1.88-89). Hippolyta
doesn't like making people she's serving look dumb. Theseus tells her that he can tell
when a man who can't talk because of nerves wants to greet him and that he will
reward workers for their spirit, not their skill. He thinks it will be funny to watch them.

Quince gives a preface. It makes no sense. "We are not here for your pleasure," Quince
says (5.1.114). The lovers, Theseus, and Hippolyta all say that the prologue would have
been fine if it had been punctuated correctly. In the Prologue, Quince talks about
Pyramus, Thisbe, the Wall, Moonshine, and the Lion.

Snout tells the crowd that he is the Wall and that the lovers will talk through a hole he
makes. Theseus and Demetrius say that The Wall is the smartest wall they have ever
heard talk.

As Pyramus curses the Wall for keeping him away from his love, he falls to the bottom.
Theseus says that the Wall should curse Theseus back. Bottom tells Theseus that the
Wall shouldn't answer because it doesn't have any lines. Bottom tells Thisbe to pay
attention.

As Thisbe walks to the Wall, play the flute. The couple can talk to each other through a
hole in the Wall, which is Snout's fingers. They get mythology wrong. At last, they all
run away from Ninny's tomb, which should be Ninus' tomb. "It's the silliest thing ever,"
says Hippolyta (5.1.222). Theseus replies, "They could be good men if we thought more
of them than they do" (5.1.211-212).

Snug walks onto the stage as the Lion and tells the women not to be scared. Starveling
thinks he is the man on the moon, and his lantern is the moonlight. Some people, like
Theseus, laugh at the speeches.
When the Lion roars, Thisbe runs away quickly from Ninny's grave. The lion plays with
the mantle and then leaves. Pyramus sees onstage that Thisbe's robe is stained with
blood. Before he dies, he gives a long speech, stabs himself, and says six times, "Now I
am dead/Now I am fled/My soul is the sky.." (5.1.290-293).

Thisbe comes back. Pyramus is now gone. She cuts herself because she is sad. Theseus
and the lovers laugh at the show. Bottom asks the crowd if they want an ending scene
or a dance. Theresa: "Please no epilogue. Your play doesn't need a reason " (5.1.372-
373). They stop dancing.

Theseus says it's "fairy time," or midnight, so everyone should go to bed. Leave.
Oberon, Titania, and the fairies come after Puck. They dance and sing to bless their
children and three weddings.

No one leaves except Puck, who says, "If we shadows are offended, think of the
performance as a dream" (5.1.440).