Bottom’s know-all attitude is amusing to the audience as he often misuses words. For example, at the end of the scene, he says, “We will meet, and here we will rehearse most obscenely and courageously” I would emphasise the word “obscenely” here because the audience would hear the misuse of the word. In fact, Bottom is likely to have meant “obscurely” because they were to meet secretly in the woods where they would not be seen.
My gestures as Bottom would be exaggerated, again to show my attention seeking nature. “Let me play the lion too”. Bottom often acts like a child, wanting to be everyone and do everything in their play. “And I may hide my face, let me play Thisby too”. Bottom constantly does this because he sees something he can’t have. I would jump around and fiddle when I saw the chance for more attention here. I would try to show this through my expression here too. I would try to show my excitement at this by grinning and raising my eyebrows, as a child would when they are being presented with a gift.
I would grasp any potential attention from the other actors on stage, gesturing to myself when I talked, thus proving that I as Bottom am the most important person present and talking to them like little children as though they didn’t understand a word being said. Bottom is irreparably selfish, wish no sense of others. The audience would see that I would not need to speak to be “heard” as Bottom.
When not being directly spoken to, I would pay little or no attention to Peter Quince unless I saw a chance to steal the show. I would look around as though I were a young child in a classroom being taught. I would look at the others and try to catch their attention by waving or whispering or prodding them for their attention. Bottom is a selfish character who thrives on being the centre of attention. The audience can see this without myself as Bottom having any dialogue.
I would make maximum use of the space around me by never sitting still for more than a few seconds at a time. I would jump up and down with lots of energy and vigour. This is important because the audience can see how childish and whimsical Bottom’s character really is.
When making my “speeches”, where I would forget about the subject in hand knowing I had the others attention, I would stand still and look longingly into the distance as though I were imagining the image of myself in whatever role. “…I could play Ercles rarely, or a part to tear a cat in, to make all split the raging rocks…” This shows the audience that I am completely self obsessed and that I was fairly ignorant of others.
Whenever Bottom is spoken to, he feels he needs to have the last word. As Bottom, I would exaggerate the tone of the final line of the scene almost to the point where I shouted. This is because I feel I should be and am completely in charge. Without having done any organisation I as Bottom, would leave the scene knowing that I had the last word and feeling as though I had been in control throughout.
Although my character of Bottom likes to be in charge, he is fairly erratic in his movement and speech, completely changing the subject at the drop of a hat. After changing the subject so drastically, I would suddenly change tone and speak as though I had been rudely interrupted and wanted to return to the task at hand. “…and make and mar the foolish fates. This was Lofty. Now name the rest of the players.” Although I would have in fact interrupted Peter Quince myself, I would leave my speech making it sound as though I was rudely interrupted and that Quince should get back to the job in hand. Again, this would show the audience my selfishness and my distinct lack of care for others.
As Bottom, I would be as obnoxious and rude as physically possible. I would be immature and whiny with a hint of self-satisfaction throughout. The audience would see a comical and childish character in Bottom who is naïve and seemingly blunt. I would make use of all available space and create a distraction for the other characters to try and ignore. Concluding with a fortissimo of sound, movement and expression.
essay: actI sceneII
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
