The Use of Language to Convey Comedy in the Play of Pyramus and Thisbeas The Background of Shakespeare William Shakespeare was a playwright and actor who was born in the 16th century. His profession was an actor and a playwright. He wrote plays to be performed on stage by actors like himself. He often used storylines which were already in existence like Pyramus and Thisbe. This was a story which originated in ancient Rome. All his storylines followed a similar pattern; this was that they all consisted of tragedy, history or comedy. He also wrote poems but was not as well known for this as for the plays he wrote. Background of A Midsummer Nights Dream A Midsummer Nights Dream was composed in 1595-1596. Many people believe this piece was written to be performed at weddings and cheerful celebrations. This same story line was later used to write Romeo and Juliet. The main plot of A Midsummer nights dream is complex which has many subplots. It involves two sets of couples named “Hermia and Lysander” and “Helena and Demetrius” it also involves the king and queen of the fairies “Oberon and Titania” the other set of characters are “the workers.” The workers try to perform Pyramus and Thisbe to Theseus and Hippolyta and the young lovers since they have just got married and want something light and cheerful before bed. Pyramus and Thisbe is a story about extreme love which the couple are willing to die for each other. The way in which the workers perform the play makes it sound comical and farcical, when in fact it is meant to be tragic and poignant. The Characters of a Midsummer Nights Dream The workers The workers consist of 6 characters. These characters are: · Quince (director) · Flute · Snout · Starveling · Bottom · Snug Quince is the director of the play, you could say he is the brains behind it. He tells the actors what to say, what to do and where to