# Sidney J. Lessingham — Short Fiction character guide

> Sidney J. Lessingham in Short Fiction by Fritz Leiber.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Sid, Macbeth, Sid - Macbeth

**First appearance:** 0019-bread-overhead

## Who they are

A character associated with theatrical or literary themes.

## In the story

### [Bread Overhead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/bread-overhead)

Referred to as Tin Philosopher, a machine board member who philosophizes about bread and manages the crisis.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/i)

Referred to as Siddy, the whip-cracking director who the narrator seeks to explain the unusual character choices.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/ii)

Playing Macbeth in an anachronistic costume; interacts with the narrator about the experimental production.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/iii)

Sid is the actor playing Macbeth and a key figure in the company; he is protective of Greta and keeps outsiders away.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/iv)

Plays Macbeth; directs the performance with intensity, prompting actors and sweating heavily during the Murder Scene.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/v)

Sid is mentioned as the director who thinks Greta is ready for smaller parts and who urgently calls for Martin during the Cauldron Scene.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/vi)

Directs the narrator to play the Gentlewoman, doubling as the Doctor, and encourages her with bombastic affection.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/vii)

Sid directs the narrator on stage, gripping his wrist and prompting lines.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/chapters/viii)

Sid is confronted by a young man who appears to be Shakespeare; he is shaken and speechless, then directs a time-jump to 44 BCE Rome.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/characters/sidney_lessingham
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_19_se/characters