Miko: annotations

The First Quarto does not have an explicit stage direction about when Bottom enters with an ass' head. The First Folio reads “Enter Piramus with the Asse head.”, and that direction is given after line 114.

The First Quarto has Quince speaking these words. The First Folio changes the speech to Robin Goodfellow. That change is generally accepted and is followed in modern texts. There is no particular reason, however, that Quince could not observe that Bottom makes a strange Pyramus, so either speaker makes sense.

There is disagreement on what Quince is supposed to say here. The First Quarto says “Odours, odorous”. The First Folio says “Odours, odours”. Both words make sense in context. Some modern texts use “Odours”, others use “odorous”. In the 1981 BBC production, Quince says “Odious. [rolls his eyes] Odorous!”

Bottom describes the flowers as “odious” (which means hateful or repulsive) when he should have said “odorous”, referring to their fragrance.

Flute was apparently supposed to stop after “never tire”, at which point Bottom is supposed to have entered.

you are speaking

Flute mispronounces “Ninus”. A ninny is a fool.

In the original story of Pyramus and Thisbe, as told by Ovid, the two lovers agree to meet at the grave of King Ninus.

Much of this speech is nonsense. Various words are chosen just because they rhyme or match the meter.

Note that apparently Pyramus is both “lily white” and like the “red rose”.