What we did today

These are some the remarks we made today. The rest was said, I just hope you picked it up...

THESEUS
No epilogue, I pray you; for your play needs no excuse. Never excuse; for when the players are all dead, there needs none to be blamed. Marry, if he that writ it had played Pyramus and hanged himself in Thisbe's garter, it would have been a fine tragedy: and so it is, truly; and very notably discharged. But come, your Bergomask: let your epilogue alone.	Irony (this is in the epilogue of MND) He is magnanimous / generous / benevolent The mise en abime invites us to also be forgiving / understanding
A dance
The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelve: Lovers, to bed; 'tis almost fairy time. I fear we shall out-sleep the coming morn As much as we this night have overwatch'd. This palpable-gross play hath well beguiled The heavy gait of night. Sweet friends, to bed. A fortnight hold we this solemnity, In nightly revels and new jollity.	Irony: a joke The marriages have to be consummated
Exeunt
Enter PUCK
PUCK
Now the hungry lion roars, And the wolf behowls the moon; Whilst the heavy ploughman snores, All with weary task fordone. Now the wasted brands do glow, Whilst the screech-owl, screeching loud, Puts the wretch that lies in woe In remembrance of a shroud. Now it is the time of night That the graves all gaping wide, Every one lets forth his sprite, In the church-way paths to glide: And we fairies, that do run By the triple Hecate's team, From the presence of the sun, Following darkness like a dream, Now are frolic: not a mouse Shall disturb this hallow'd house: I am sent with broom before, To sweep the dust behind the door.	He doesn’t seem in accord with the joyful atmosphere of the scene up to now: again he paints a gloomy / dark / scary picture, evokes death, graveyards, ghosts ... to show a gap between the different groups / between what happened and what could have happened. It helps make the rhythm more interesting (alternation between light, joyful, comical moments and darker, heavier, deeper, more tragic moments. Ends with domestic images, says the house is safe (lighter mood)
Enter OBERON and TITANIA with their train
OBERON
Through the house give gathering light, By the dead and drowsy fire: Every elf and fairy sprite Hop as light as bird from brier; And this ditty, after me, Sing, and dance it trippingly.	Establishes a joyful, light, almost bucolic mood
TITANIA
First, rehearse your song by rote To each word a warbling note: Hand in hand, with fairy grace, Will we sing, and bless this place.
Song and dance
OBERON
Now, until the break of day, Through this house each fairy stray. To the best bride-bed will we, Which by us shall blessed be; And the issue there create Ever shall be fortunate. So shall all the couples three Ever true in loving be; And the blots of Nature's hand Shall not in their issue stand; Never mole, hare lip, nor scar, Nor mark prodigious, such as are Despised in nativity, Shall upon their children be. With this field-dew consecrate, Every fairy take his gait; And each several chamber bless, Through this palace, with sweet peace; And the owner of it blest Ever shall in safety rest. Trip away; make no stay; Meet me all by break of day.	No defects…. Functions as the assurance of a happy ending. Reminiscent of “spirits of another kind”
Exeunt OBERON, TITANIA, and train
PUCK
If we shadows have offended, Think but this, and all is mended, That you have but slumber'd here While these visions did appear. And this weak and idle theme, No more yielding but a dream, Gentles, do not reprehend: if you pardon, we will mend: And, as I am an honest Puck, If we have unearned luck Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue, We will make amends ere long; Else the Puck a liar call; So, good night unto you all. Give me your hands, if we be friends, And Robin shall restore amends.	Puck is addressing the audience: Asking them to: -      Imagine they have dreamed the whole story, -      Forgive the actors so they can become better -      Not to boo, whistle -      Clap Function: assure the success of the play, say good bye, give the audience a choice, ...  He is breaking the fourth wall to make them part of the play. Maybe he teaches us to take things lightly (as dreams) Reminds us he is “an auditor” and an “actor” Comments and teaches us on our perception of theatre The audience moves back and forth (in the play) from being immersed in the story, to being asked to step out and reflect on what it is to tell the story on the stage.