Francis Flute is a character in the play A Midsummer Night's Dream. He is forced to play the female role of Thisbe in "Pyramus and Thisbe", a play within the play which is performed for Theseus' marriage celebration.
In the play Flute (Thisbe) speaks through the wall (Tom Snout) to Nick Bottom (Pyramus)
Character definition
Although Shakesphere did not leave a subscript for Flute, there are many characteristics left to be implied. Flute is considered to be soft-spoken and shy. Thisbe, the character Flute plays in the play within the play, is a beautiful woman. Peter Quince choses this character for him as he has a very high voice. Flute has a hard time playing a woman, and tries desperately to get another role. Yet Peter Quince is stubborn and refuses to let him receive another role. In the end, Flute ends up playing Thisbe very well; in fact, he's more outgoing as Thisbe than he'd ever be as himself, posing for a good amount of laughter. Flute is a flat, dynamic character.
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