It's difficult to judge Bottom's acting ability from the play as written, because everything depends upon the performance of the play and the interpretation of the role. Bottom is arrogant and controlling, with an aggressive attitude, as shown when he insists he can play every role. In Act 1 Scene 2, when the players are preparing their performance of "Pyramus and Thisbe," every time Peter Quince announces which of the company will play a role,...
It's difficult to judge Bottom's acting ability from the play as written, because everything depends upon the performance of the play and the interpretation of the role. Bottom is arrogant and controlling, with an aggressive attitude, as shown when he insists he can play every role. In Act 1 Scene 2, when the players are preparing their performance of "Pyramus and Thisbe," every time Peter Quince announces which of the company will play a role, Bottom insists he wants to play it and describes in detail how he will do it better than the actor chosen. For example, in describing how he would play the lion, after Quince says he would be too loud and frightening in the role, he says, "I grant you, friends, if you should fright the ladies out of their wits, they would have no more discretion but to hang us. But I will aggravate my voice so that I will roar you as gently as any sucking dove. I will roar you an ’twere any nightingale." He goes on to describe the many different colored wigs and beards he has access to, as if this also adds to his prowess as an actor.
Ironically, the ability to portray "bad" acting is generally something that can only be done by a very good actor. Shakespeare used various conceits about acting in a number of his plays. It would be ironic to have Bottom portrayed as a very good actor who, despite his arrogance, is justified in his insistence that he is the best choice for the role. But most performances of this play portray Bottom as a fool who only thinks he is a good actor.
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