Enter QUINCE, SNUG, BOTTOM, FLUTE, SNOUT and STARVELING.
QUINCE Is all our company here?
BOTTOM You were best to call them generally, man by man, according to the scrip.
QUINCE Here is the scroll of every man’s name, which is thought fit through all Athens to play in our interlude before the duke and the duchess on his wedding day at night.
BOTTOM First, good Peter Quince, say what the play treats on; then read the names of the actors; and so grow to a point. (1.2.1-10)
One of the most radical changes of pace and mood in any of Shakespeare’s plays: Helena has exited in a kind of masochistic ecstasy to snitch on Hermia to Demetrius and … who are these? Six men, a large ensemble, recognisable as workers, perhaps, definitely not courtiers, probably not (all) young. One of them’s in charge, maybe a little anxious, a bit bossy: is all our company here? have we got everybody? And then one of the others pipes up, offering advice, perhaps muscling in: you were best to call them generally, man by man, according to the scrip. Bottom means one by one, severally, rather than generally—you’ve got a list, haven’t you? on that wee piece of paper? (scrip is note or scroll, not script). Quince indeed has a list, of course he has, he was just getting to that: here is the scroll of every man’s name, which is thought fit through all Athens to play in our interlude before the duke and duchess on his wedding day at night. It comes tumbling out, proudly, apprehensively, it’s SUCH a big deal: are these people that Quince has approached specially, that he could coerce a bit, has he been running auditions? They’re going to put on a play! As wedding entertainment. It’s all VERY exciting but Quince, anxious though he be (a bit) is playing it cool, organised, he has a plan. Bottom will keep him in line, too, he knows who’s really in charge: first, good Peter Quince (he’s the first to be named; quince sounds like the fruit, a solid English name, but it’s also quoins, wooden wedges, for Quince, it will emerge, is a carpenter), say what the play treats on—tell us what it’s about—then read the names of the actors, that follows logically, yeah? and so grow to a point, come to the purpose of our being gathered here today. (That’s exactly what I’m doing, thinks Quince.)
