1. Parallels and Contrast: Shakespeare draws parallels between the tragic love story of Pyramus and Thisbe and the main plot involving the four young lovers. However, he also highlights the contrast between the two. While the young lovers in the main plot experience temporary obstacles and misunderstandings, the Pyramus and Thisbe story is a tragic tale with a fatal ending. This contrast adds depth to the play and shows the range of emotions explored in love.
2. Comic Relief: The play within a play featuring the Pyramus and Thisbe story provides comic relief and lightens the mood of the play. The amateurish performance by the mechanicals, their misunderstandings, and their improvised lines create humorous moments that entertain the audience. This comedic aspect balances out the more serious and emotional elements of the main plot.
3. Self-Referential Commentary: Shakespeare uses the Pyramus and Thisbe play to comment on the nature of theater itself. The mechanicals' production is a reflection of their limited understanding of drama and their struggles to enact a tragic love story. This self-referential element allows Shakespeare to explore the challenges and conventions of theater and adds a meta-theatrical layer to the play.
4. Character Development: The Pyramus and Thisbe play also serves as a means of character development for the mechanicals. As they rehearse and perform the play, they learn about teamwork, cooperation, and the importance of dedication to their craft. This journey contributes to their personal growth and adds to the overall characterization of the mechanicals.
5. Artistic Representation of Love: The Pyramus and Thisbe story exemplifies the themes of love and transformation that run throughout A Midsummer Night's Dream. While it presents a tragic version of love, it also highlights the transformative power of theater and art in representing emotions. This ties into the play's exploration of the complexities and transformative nature of love.
Overall, Shakespeare repurposes the tragic story of Pyramus and Thisbe to create a comedic and self-referential subplot in A Midsummer Night's Dream. This subplot heightens the emotional range and thematic complexity of the play while providing a memorable and entertaining element.