A Midsummer Night's Dream

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Scene-by-Scene Analysis

Act 3 Scene 1

It is now the Mechanicals’ turn to venture into the magical wood, but just before they begin rehearsals, Bottom has an objection – the play isn’t exactly PG-13. He argues “Pyramus must draw a sword to kill himself, which the ladies cannot abide.” He comes up with an idea which conveniently gives him more lines: “Write me a prologue, and let the prologue seem to say, we will do no harm with our swords, and that Pyramus is not killed indeed.”

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