No Fear Shakespeare
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Get this No Fear to go!
Act 1, Scene 2
Original Text | Modern Text | |
Enter QUINCE the carpenter, and
SNUG the joiner, and BOTTOM the
weaver, and FLUTE the bellows-mender, and
SNOUT the tinker, and STARVELING the
tailor |
QUINCE, the carpenter, enters with
SNUG, the cabinetmaker; BOTTOM,
the weaver; FLUTE, the bellows-repairman;
SNOUT, the handyman; and STARVELING,
the tailor. | |
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QUINCE
Is all our company here?
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QUINCE
Is everyone here?
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BOTTOM
You were best to call them generally, man by man, according to the
scrip.
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BOTTOM
You should call their names generally, one person at a time, in the order in which their names
appear on this piece of paper.
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QUINCE
Here is the scroll of every man’s name which is thought
fit, through all Athens, to play in our interlude before the duke
and the duchess, on his wedding day at night.
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QUINCE
This is a list of the names of all the men in Athens who are good
enough to act in the play we’re going to perform for the
duke and duchess on their wedding night.
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BOTTOM
First, good Peter Quince, say what the play treats on, then read
the names of the actors, and so grow to a point.
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BOTTOM
First, Peter Quince, tell us what the play is about, then read the
names of the actors, and then shut up.
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5 |
QUINCE
Marry, our play is The most lamentable comedy and most
cruel death of Pyramus and
Thisbe.
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QUINCE
All right. Our play is called
A Very Tragic
Comedy About the Horrible Deaths of Pyramus and
Thisbe.
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BOTTOM
A very good piece of work, I assure you, and a
merry.—Now, good Peter Quince, call forth your actors by
the scroll.—Masters, spread yourselves.
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BOTTOM
Let me tell you, it’s a great piece of work, and
very—funny.—Now, Peter Quince, call the names
of the actors on the list. Men, gather around him.
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QUINCE
Answer as I call you.—Nick Bottom, the weaver?
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QUINCE
Answer when I call your name.—Nick Bottom, the
weaver?
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BOTTOM
Ready. Name what part I am for and proceed.
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BOTTOM
Here. Tell me which part I’m going to play, then go
on.
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QUINCE
You, Nick Bottom, are set down for Pyramus.
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QUINCE
You, Nick Bottom, have been cast as Pyramus.
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