Quote by William Shakespeare
BOTTOMThere are things in this comedy of Pyramus and Thisby that will never please. First, Pyramus must draw a sword to kill himself; which the ladiescannot abide. How answer you that?SNOUTBy'r lakin, a parlous fear.STARVELINGI believe we must leave the killing out, when all is done.BOTTOMNot a whit: I have a device to make all well.Write me a prologue; and let the prologue seem tosay, we will do no harm with our swords, and thatPyramus is not killed indeed; and, for the morebetter assurance, tell them that I, Pyramus, am notPyramus, but Bottom the weaver: this will put themout of fear.QUINCEWell, we will have such a prologue; and it shall bewritten in eight and six.BOTTOMNo, make it two more; let it be written in eight and eight.
Summary
In this quote from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," the character Bottom is addressing concerns about a play within the play. Bottom suggests that the planned suicide in the play will not be well received by the audience, to which Snout agrees. Bottom then proposes a solution: writing a prologue to assure the audience that no harm will come from the use of swords and that the character of Pyramus will not actually be killed. He further suggests revealing his own identity as Bottom the weaver playing the role of Pyramus to alleviate any fears. The quote showcases Bottom's pragmatic and creative thinking to overcome potential flaws in the performance.
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