.

Nick Bottom – by Ray Kobald

Nick Bottom from Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Location: Geneva Public Library

Installed: 2005

.

 

.

.

The tall bronze statue of donkey-headed Nick Bottom is from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream. Wee fairies are perched on the book open in his hands [Titania] and on one of the wheels of the conveyance on which he stands.

In the play “A Midsummer’s Night Dream”, Nick Bottom is a craftsmen. His head is transformed (by Puck) into that of an “ass” (donkey). Note the symbolism and imagery. Clueless that he’s been transformed, Puck declares that his friends have run away from him in fear because they’re trying to “make an ass” out of him. The joke is on Titania too, because she’s been charmed with Oberon’s love juice and has a romantic relationship with an “ass.” Under the spell of the love potion, Titania spends all her time doting on Bottom and lavishing him with her affection.

The 2005 statue, is by sculptor Ray Kobald, who lives and works in St. Charles, Illinois. It was paid for by the Friends of the Geneva Public Library, the Shodeen family, and other donors. In 1961, family patriarch Kent Shodeen founded what is now ShoDeen, Inc., a residential and commercial property development and management firm in Kane County, based in Geneva.

.

 

 

.

 

 

.

 

 

.

 

 

.

 

 

.

 

 

.

 

 

.