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All Site ContentMidsummer Night's DreamAct 3Scene 1
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“gentleman of your house”
Imagery
Act 3,
Scene 1
Lines 184-190

An explanation of the ox and mustard imagery in Act 3, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Bottom

acquaintance too — Your name, I beseech you, sir?

Mustardseed

Mustardseed.

Bottom

Good Master Mustardseed, I know your patience
well. That same cowardly giantlike ox-beef hath
devoured many a gentleman of your house. I promise
you, your kindred hath made my eyes water ere now. I
desire you of more acquaintance, good Master Mustardseed.

Bottom imagines an ox grazing on a field of mustard plants which might include Master Mustardseed's family.