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“lily-white” and “red rose”
Humor
Act 3,
Scene 1
Lines 87-91

An explanation of the humor in Thisbe’s description of Pyramus in Act 3, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Flute (as Thisbe)

Most radiant Pyramus, most lily-white of hue,
Of color like the red rose on triumphant brier,
Most bristly juvenile, and eke most lovely jew,
As true as truest horse that yet would never tire.
I'll meet thee, Pyramus, at Ninny's tomb.

Quince has the Thisbe character describing Pyramus as being at the same time both “lily-white” and like a “red rose,” and referring to him as a "bristly juvenile" which suggests a teenage actor sprouting a scruffy beard. (The adjective he meant was "briskly,” which means lively.) And calling him a “lovely jew” to rhyme with hue sounds as if he’s referring to his religion, or perhaps abbreviating “juvenile.”