You are here

All Site ContentMidsummer Night's DreamAct 5Scene 1
Back to the Play
"nothing"
Wordplay
Act 5,
Scene 1
Lines 72-90

An explanation of the wordplay on “nothing” in Act 5, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Theseus

What are they that do play it?

Philostrate

Hard-handed men that work in Athens here
Which never labored in their minds till now,
And now have toiled their unbreathed memories
With this same play against your nuptial.

Theseus

And we will hear it.

Philostrate

                                  No, my noble lord,
It is not for you. I have heard it over,
And it is nothing, nothing in the world,
Unless you can find sport in their intents,
Extremely stretched and conned with cruel pain,
To do you service.

Theseus

                                 I will hear that play,
For never anything can be amiss
When simpleness and duty tender it.
Go, bring them in, and take your places, ladies.
[Exit Philostrate]

Hippolyta

I love not to see wretchedness o'ercharged,
And duty in his service perishing.

Theseus

Why, gentle sweet, you shall see no such thing.

Hippolyta

He says they can do nothing in this kind.

Theseus

The kinder we to give them thanks for nothing.

These lines contain some subtle wordplay on "nothing." In response to Theseus’ question about the nature of the play, Philostrate assures him that it’s “nothing, nothing in the world” (line 79) — that is, unless Theseus will find it entertaining to watch the players make fools of themselves. After Hippolyta tells Theseus she’d rather not watch commonfolk struggle in a cringe-worthy display (lines 86-87), Theseus tells Hippolyta that she will see "no" such "thing” (line 88). She replies that, according to Philostrate, these men could accomplish "nothing" in the way of entertainment. Theseus then responds that they will be all the kinder to thank the players for “nothing” — for their embarrassing attempt to entertain the wedding party.