The tradesmen are vital to _A Midsummer_Night's Dream_ because they are in the woods at the same time as the lovers so that they can practice their play that they are going to perform at Theseus and Hippolyta's wedding. The practicing of the play doesn't really affect the main storyline much, save for the part where Bottom is transformed into a half donkey beast by Puck, because Titania falls in love with him later, so that Oberon can aquire his little boy servant. The tradesmen also show the irony and humor in the play and build upon the humorous ideas of A Midsummer Nights Dream.