Nick Bottom

fictional character

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Article History

Nick Bottom, a weaver and the most important of the six “rude mechanicals” in William Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Bottom—together with Peter Quince, carpenter; Francis Flute, bellows mender; Tom Snout, tinker; Snug, joiner; and Robin Starveling, tailor—initiates a series of low-comedy antics that contrast with the machinations of the aristocratic lovers. As well as providing comic relief, their hilarious production of Pyramus and Thisbe is a device that serves as a play within a play to reflect some of Shakespeare’s pointed thoughts about performance and actors (see also Sidebar: Performance in Shakespeare).

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by J.E. Luebering.