the way an author describes and develops the personalities and traits of the characters in a story

to communicate a message directly or indirectly

to examine something in detail in order to understand it

Exploring characterisation in 'Hansel and Gretel'

English

In 'Hansel and Gretel’, children discussed the key features of a fairy tale and had rich discussions about the plot and characters within. In ’Blackberry Blue’, pupils will read a modern fairy tale, which draws upon traditional fairy tales and cultural influences.

In 'Anansi and the Antelope Baby’, pupils discussed the features of a traditional tale. In ’Hansel and Gretel’, pupils will read or listen to a fairy tale. They will discuss the features of a fairy tale and have rich discussions about the plot and characters within.

'Hansel and Gretel': reading

Depiction of scary, confusing or unsettling events or characters placed in danger, including creation of a scary atmosphere through the use of music and sound.

Depiction or discussion of upsetting content

Depiction or discussion of famine, disease, natural disasters.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

consider their appearance, words and actions

look for clues in the text and the illustrations

How can we analyse a character's personality traits? 

the way an author describes and develops characters

Match the vocabulary to the correct definition.

They are depicted in similar ways in the illustrations.

How does the author draw similarities between the stepmother and the witch?

They both woke up early and forced the children awake.

How were the stepmother and the witch's **actions** and **words** towards the children similar?

What appears repeatedly in the illustrations of the stepmother and the witch to convey their similarities?

He told us directly at the end of the story.

He drew similarities between the characters' behaviours throughout the story.

He highlighted similarities between the characters in his illustrations.

He focuses on the role the father plays in the story the most.

After the witch was killed, it was revealed the stepmother was dead too.

How did the author Anthony Browne convey the message that the stepmother and the witch are the same person?

It depicts the relationship between good and evil.

Everything we need to know can be found in the writing.

Anthony Browne uses the text and illustrations to convey hidden messages.

It explores dark themes but shows good triumphing over evil.

Select the statements that are true about the story of 'Hansel and Gretel'.

visual representations accompanying a text

to draw conclusions from clues within a text

what a person aims to achieve through their actions

the effect or influence achieved by an action

Throughout the story 'Hansel and Gretel', what characteristics does Anthony Browne show Hansel and Gretel to have?

Throughout the story, what characteristics does Anthony Browne show the stepmother and witch to have?

He is a complex character because he shows good and bad characteristics.

He is a good character because he loves his children.

He is a bad character because he doesn't stand up to the witch.

Which statement accurately describes the way that Anthony Browne depicts the father?

Hansel and Gretel live with their father and stepmother and they are starving. 

The stepmother plans to leave the children in the forest to get rid of them.

Hansel and Gretel manage to find their way back home. 

The next time they are left in the forest, they cannot find their way home.

Hansel and Gretel are invited into a house by a witch who lies to them.

The witch locks Hansel in a "cage" and wants to eat him.

Gretel tricks the witch, pushes her into the cooker and they escape.

Order these events from the story 'Hansel and Gretel'.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of upsetting content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Exploring characterisation in 'Hansel and Gretel'

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.