In William Shakespeare’s beloved comedyA Midsummer Night’s Dream, there is a rich tapestry of characters who serve a variety of narrative and comedic functions. Among these is the character of Starveling, one of the six Athenian tradesmen often called the mechanicals who are preparing a play to entertain the Duke and Duchess. Though Starveling may seem like a minor character at first glance, his role carries deeper thematic and theatrical significance. He represents not just comic relief but also a mirror to the greater themes of transformation, theatricality, and perception that run throughout the play.
Who Is Starveling?
Robin Starveling is a tailor by profession, and like his fellow mechanicals, he is not a trained actor but an enthusiastic amateur. The mechanicals are a group of simple workers who aspire to perform a dramatic play for the royal wedding of Duke Theseus and Hippolyta. Their earnestness and lack of sophistication contrast humorously with the elaborate and magical elements elsewhere in the play. Starveling is assigned the role of Moonshine in their play-within-a-play, Pyramus and Thisbe.
Though he does not have many lines and is often overshadowed by more flamboyant characters like Bottom or Quince, Starveling’s contribution is meaningful. His awkward portrayal of Moonshine and his deadpan delivery add to the absurdity and satire of amateur theatrics that Shakespeare so cleverly mocks in this subplot.
Starveling’s Role in the Play-Within-a-Play
Perhaps the most famous scene involving Starveling is his performance in the mini-drama Pyramus and Thisbe, which is presented in Act V ofA Midsummer Night’s Dream. Starveling plays the role of Moonshine, a character necessary to the plot of the tragic love story. Since the mechanicals are literal-minded and lack stage props or theatrical devices, they must personify inanimate objects or elements of nature, like a wall, a lion, or in Starveling’s case, moonlight.
To signify the presence of moonlight, Starveling enters the stage with a lantern, a thorn bush, and a dog symbolizing the moon and its surroundings. He then delivers a comically awkward monologue explaining that he is, in fact, Moonshine. The humor lies in the clumsiness and confusion of this portrayal. The audience within the play laughs, as does the real-world audience watching the play itself.
Comic Relief and Thematic Reflection
One of the key roles of Starveling is to provide comic relief. Shakespeare uses the mechanicals to parody the dramatic arts and mock overly serious or melodramatic performances. Starveling’s stiff and literal interpretation of Moonshine, his embarrassment when interrupted, and his general discomfort on stage make him an object of humor. Yet, this laughter is gentle rather than cruel; it reflects the joy of amateur enthusiasm and human imperfection.
Beyond comedy, Starveling’s presence highlights larger themes inA Midsummer Night’s Dream. The idea of illusion versus reality is central to the play, and Starveling’s impersonation of moonlight underlines this concept. The mechanicals’ belief that they can convincingly represent celestial bodies or dangerous beasts with mere props and imagination pokes fun at the suspension of disbelief that all theater requires. Starveling’s role is part of this larger commentary on the magic of storytelling, no matter how crude or exaggerated.
Character Traits of Starveling
While not deeply developed, Starveling shows several distinctive traits that help distinguish him among the mechanicals
- Timid and ReservedCompared to Bottom’s bombastic personality, Starveling is shy and quiet. He is often hesitant to speak up or correct others.
- Literal-mindedLike the rest of the mechanicals, Starveling tends to interpret directions literally, which adds to the humor of the scene where he plays Moonshine.
- EarnestDespite his awkwardness, Starveling tries his best to fulfill his role. He wants to contribute meaningfully to the play and doesn’t intentionally try to be funny.
Interaction with Other Characters
Starveling’s dynamic with the other mechanicals also serves the play’s humor and commentary. He often defers to Peter Quince, the self-appointed director of the play. His interactions with Bottom are especially entertaining, as Bottom’s over-the-top confidence contrasts sharply with Starveling’s meekness. When Theseus and the court interrupt the performance to make jokes, Starveling becomes visibly flustered, further enhancing the farcical nature of the scene.
In these interactions, we see how Starveling functions as part of the ensemble. He doesn’t stand out individually, but the sum of his contributions helps enrich the entire subplot. His lack of experience, discomfort on stage, and willingness to try anyway endear him to audiences and underscore Shakespeare’s affection for the foolish but earnest.
Symbolism and Interpretation
From a symbolic perspective, Starveling’s portrayal of Moonshine may represent the broader idea that even the most humble characters can reflect the cosmic or mysterious. A simple tailor becomes the embodiment of moonlight, albeit poorly and humorously. This transformation echoes the play’s larger motif of characters being altered by dreams, love, and magic.
Moreover, Moonshine is associated with madness and illusion in many literary traditions. By assigning this role to a character like Starveling who is confused and awkward it subtly reinforces the blurred boundaries between illusion and reality that permeate the play.
Modern Relevance and Legacy
In modern productions ofA Midsummer Night’s Dream, Starveling’s role is often played for laughs, but directors also use it to explore deeper meanings. He can be portrayed as a symbol of artistic aspiration, of the underdog, or even as a reflection of the audience’s own reactions to theater and performance. His role invites viewers to consider the joy and absurdity of performance itself.
While Starveling may not be the first character people remember when thinking of Shakespeare’s comedies, he remains an important piece of the puzzle. His small but meaningful role adds texture, humor, and heart to a play already bursting with imagination and wonder.
So, what role does Starveling play inA Midsummer Night’s Dream? He is a tailor, a mechanical, an amateur actor, and most memorably, the personification of moonlight. Through his role, Shakespeare explores themes of theatricality, illusion, and human folly. Starveling brings levity to the play-within-a-play, offers a mirror to the play’s deeper ideas, and ultimately reminds us that even the smallest parts in life and in drama can have lasting impact. His presence enhances the comedic tone, contributes to the ensemble’s dynamic, and ensures that even moonlight gets its moment on stage.