Nick Bottom Character Analysis

In Shakespeare’s’ play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one of the rather prominent characters – although he is not a lead – is Nick Bottom. Bottom, appearing in several scenes throughout the play, is undeniably a unique character not only because of his comedic attributions, but because he is the only character who interacts with both the human world and the fairies. Bottom also offers insight on mans conflict with the emotional characteristics of human behavior. For example, Athens represents the logical side whereas the fairy world represents the more irrational side, and the character of Bottom brings these two elements to the play in various ways. Although A Midsummer Night’s Dream has many serious elements, there is a comic element that is evident and consistent. This essay analyzes the character Bottom and embarks upon an exploration on how his character injects comic relief throughout the entirety of the play, whilst simultaneously functioning as a catalyst of themes.
When the audience first meets Bottom, he is in the midst of being casted for the play “Pyramus and Thisbe” (1.2) which will be performed for Theseus and Hippolyta on their wedding day. Prior to this introduction of Bottom, it follows a long woeful rant by Helena about her misfortune. However, after this emotionally draining scene, it becomes evident that Bottom serves as a comedic device intended to lighten the mood of the play. Bottom attributes comic relief to the audience, as his character wants to play every part in the play there is: “And I may hide my face, let me play Thisbe too. I’ll speak in the monstrous little voice: Thisne, Thisne!” (1.2.43). He goes on to say he would like to play the lion as well, as he feels like he can sweep from one emotion to th...

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...simpler terms, Bottom realizes that something profound has taken place that he can’t necessarily explain, so he decides to inform people of this “strange dream” in the form of a ballad entitled “’Bottom’s Dream’, because it hath no bottom…” This ballad symbolizes the “bridge” or connection that allows the audience to understand that is happening in both Athens and the fairy world.
Although Bottom is foolish, vain, and arrogant, his character also portrays a man who is lovable and gentle. The comedy therein lies amongst the differences and circumstances between his personality and his experiences. The importance of Bottom throughout A Midsummer Night’s Dream is for comic relief, as he is naïve, dumb, and at times ridiculous.

Shakespeare, William. A Midsummer’s Night Dream, The Norton Shakespeare Ed. Stephen Greenblatt. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 1997.