Why did shakespeare include a play within a play? question 19 options: pyramus and thisbe is an ancient tale well-known to audiences in shakespeare's time. the audience would appreciate the humor and comments. he has been commissioned to write a play of certain length, and his fell short. the play within a play was a filler to use up time. he uses it as a semi-veiled political speech. he used it in place of an intermission, to refocus the audience's attention.