Illustration of a donkey-headed musician in between two white trees

A Midsummer Night's Dream

by William Shakespeare

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Student Question

Who is the narcissistic character in "A Midsummer Night's Dream"?

Quick answer:

In "A Midsummer Night's Dream," the narcissistic character is Bottom, a mechanical theater actor. After being transformed by the mischievous fairy Puck, who gives him a donkey's head, Bottom becomes self-absorbed and perceives himself as marvelous. This transformation and self-perception are part of the comedic elements of the play, highlighting Bottom's ridiculousness and vanity, which is further amplified by the enchantment of Titania.

Expert Answers

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A character in one of Shakespeare's play falls under the spell of narcissism when a helpful fairy gives him a donkey's head in place of his own because he thinks it funny. The play is A Midsummer Night's Dream, the character is Bottom (a Mechanical theatre actor), who hits bottom with this trick played on him by the prankster Puck. Under the spell, Bottom, who is ridiculous, narcissistically sees himself as marvelous as does the bewitched Titania. In Much Ado About Nothing, Beatrice and Benedick might be said to be narcissistic in their characterizations. 

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