At first glance, this prologue by Quince seems to be a very clumsily written speech in the style of a typical prologue from the period, one which flatters the audience while asking for their forgiveness for any shortcomings in the performance. But, in fact, Shakespeare has brilliantly crafted the speech so that just by changing how an actor delivers the lines, it takes on a second, very humorous meaning. Shakespeare accomplishes this, first of all, by using ambiguity in the sentence structure. Back then, there was no standardized punctuation, so it’s easy to imagine Quince writing this speech with little or no indication of how the phrases relate to each other. Secondly, Shakespeare has chosen words which could have two different, often completely opposite, meanings. Raplh ’s going to deliver this speech twice – this first time in a fashion intended to portray Quince’s desired meaning. If we offend, it is with our goodwill that you should think we come, not to offend, But with goodwill to show our simple skill – that is the true beginning of our end. Consider then we come, but in despite we do not come. As minding to content you our true intent is all for your delight. We are not here that you should here repent you. The actors are at hand, and by their show you shall know all that you are like to know. Now is going to read the speech a second time, pausing at different points, and changing the tonal emphasis to take on the humorous meaning. Remember, the words are exactly the same, it’s just the delivery which has changed. If we offend, it is with our goodwill that you should think. We come not to offend but with goodwill. To show our simple skill, that is the true beginning of our end. Consider then, we come – but in despite. We do not come as minding to content you – our true intent is. All for your delight we are not here. That you should here repent you, the actors are at hand. And by their show you shall know all that you are like to know. After studying this speech as it is written, I understand what Shakespeare’s done, but I have a hard time imagining that someone listening to this speech during a performance would be able to appreciate the cleverness of its ambiguity. Yet from the exchange between Theseus, Lysander, and Hippolyta which follows, it’s clear that Shakespeare thought his audience capable of doing so.