the first sentence of a paragraph stating its main idea

the tools a writer uses to create their work; for example, characterisation, setting, language choices

information about the time period of when a text was written; context can help us understand a text more deeply

in English, this means looking at a text closely and considering what it might mean and why it was written in that way

a play designed to make you laugh, often including misunderstandings and ending in marriage

'A Midsummer Night's Dream': reviewing and refining an essay about Puck

English

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', pupils learn about marriage conventions within Shakespeare's patriarchal society. In 'Macbeth: Lady Macbeth as a Machiavellian Villain', pupils explore the ways in which this female character subverts the expectations of women in her day and question whether modern and contemporary audiences are likely to sympathise with her. 

In 'The Tempest', pupils explore the ways in which Ariel and Caliban, as 'outsiders', might be perceived by modern and contemporary audiences. In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', pupils use context to develop their understanding of marriage rituals and attitudes to magic in the play. 

In this unit, pupils read and explore Shakespeare's comedy 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. They focus on the character Puck and the theme of the supernatural, and analyse their role and importance at different points in the play. Finally, they plan and write an essay about Puck and the supernatural.

'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Depiction or discussion of distress or humiliation e.g. bullying.

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', the character of Oberon's servant has two names: Puck and {{}}.

the tools a writer uses to create their work e.g. language choices

key information about when a text was written

looking at a text closely and considering what it might mean

When writing an essay about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', it is helpful to know some key terms. Match the key terms to their definitions.

make sure you link to the question you have been asked

make sure you state the paragraph's main idea

What advice would you give a pupil who was trying to master their use of topic sentences for an essay on 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?

zoom in on each word in the quotation to analyse it fully

link different quotations from different parts of the play together

explore the methods Shakespeare uses in the quotation

What advice would you give a pupil who was trying to master their use of quotations in an essay on 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?

When exploring a quotation from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', you might identify a method Shakespeare uses. Which of the following count as dramatic methods?

single word analysis of quotations is the strongest type of analysis

including context can help develop analysis

exploring methods can help make strong analysis

using one quotation per paragraph makes for the most focused analysis

linking quotations together can make for strong analysis

What advice would you give a pupil who was trying to master their analysis in an essay on 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?

Shakespeare wrote different types of plays, and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is a {{}}.

with Oberon asking Titania for the little boy

with Puck leading the Athenians "up and down" in the forest

with Puck restoring order to the Athenians

How does 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' end?

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is a Shakespearean comedy. What are common features of the endings of most Shakespearean comedies?

that it was evil and connected to the devil

that it was an enjoyable part of folklore

that they were ruled by supernatural forces

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' was first performed in front of an Elizabethan audience. What were some common Elizabethan views and attitudes about the supernatural?

that God created a hierarchy and it was their duty to keep to it

that the monarch was near the top of the hierarchy

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' was first performed in front of an Elizabethan audience. What were some common Elizabethan views and attitudes about hierarchy?

He includes supernatural characters, events and ideas in lots of his plays.

Puck or Robin Goodfellow appears in a number of his plays.

He invented lots of Elizabethan folklore.

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' includes the supernatural. How do we know Shakespeare was very interested in the supernatural?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz