The fourth act concludes with a short scene where the artisans express their worry about Bottom. They do not know where he is, and they worry that they will not be able to perform before the Duke without their star performer.
But, fortunately, Bottom then appears to them and announces that their play “is preferred” (33). He is telling them that their play has been selected to be performed on Duke Theseus’ wedding day. Thus, they need to get ready. Bottom advises the actor who is playing the lion not to trim his fingernails, for they will need to serve as the lion’s claws. And then Bottom adds …
And, most dear actors, eat
No onions or garlic, for we are to utter sweet breath.
(35-36)
With the expression sweet breath, a poet or playwright implies beautiful poetry or elevated language. But the simpleton Bottom takes the phrase literally.
Bottom concludes by expressing his hope that their performance will be a “sweet comedy” (37). Of course, as noted earlier, “Pyramus and Thisbe” is a tragedy, not a comedy. However, the way that the artisans will perform it, it will become a comedy; and that comedy will be sweet or pleasing to the audience
– but not because it is so well performed. Rather, it will please Duke Theseus and the others because it is so bad that it is funny.