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All Site ContentMidsummer Night's DreamAct 5Scene 1
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“Well moused, Lion.”
Double Meaning
Act 5,
Scene 1
Lines 258-263

An explanation of the phrase “well moused” in Act 5, Scene 1 of myShakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 

Snug (as Lion)

[Roaring] Ooooo.
[Thisbe drops her cloak and runs off]

Demetrius

Well roared, Lion.

Theseus

Well run, Thisbe.

Hippolyta

Well shone, Moon. Truly, the moon shines
with a good grace.
[Lion chews Thisbe’s cloak]

Theseus

Well moused, Lion.

Theseus' statement has two possible interpretations:

  1. Instead of tearing the cloak like a Lion, Snug toyed with it like a cat toys with a mouse. 
  2. Snug's roaring sounded more like a mouse squeaking than a lion roaring.