a system whereby people or things are ranked, with some being higher than others.

the accepted standards and rules by which a community lives.

to return something back to its original state.

a term used by Elizabethans which referred to a system of ranking which they believed was created by God.

The significance of the magical forest in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

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. 

'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

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

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

a system whereby people or things are ranked

the accepted standards and rules by which a community lives

a system of ranking which Elizabethans believed was created by God

Shakespeare wrote 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' for an Elizabethan audience. As such, the play explores ideas that were important to Elizabethans. Match the key ideas and concepts to their meanings.

Athens is just as full of disorder and chaos.

Oberon and Puck make sure to restore the status quo.

The magical potion is only ever used to help others.

The forest has a hierarchy (monarchs) so it is not complete chaos.

A pupil said of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream': "The forest is purely a place of disorder and chaos." How would you correct them?

The forest is a place where unexpected transformations happen, unlike in Athens.

The forest has no hierarchy, unlike Athens.

The forest sees low and high status characters in relationships, unlike Athens.

There are no strict laws in the forest, unlike in Athens.

Theseus rules over the forest, just as he does Athens.

A pupil said of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream': "The forest is just as ordered as Athens." How would you correct them?

Elizabethans believed in a system of ranking called The Great Chain of Being. Starting with the most important, rank each section of society according Elizabethan ideas of importance.

Oberon and Puck restore order at the end of Act 4.

Hermia and Helena have a fight despite being friends.

Two characters are trying to marry without a parent's consent.

The poor Athenian actors practice their play in the forest.

A high status character is in love with a low status character.

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', in what ways would the action in the forest disrupt Elizabethan ideas of the status quo?

{{ }} is a term that was used by Elizabethans to refer to a system of ranking, a system which Elizabethans believed was created by God. 

In Act 2 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', many of the characters are in a magical forest. Match each character, or sets of characters, to the reason they are in the magical forest.

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' was first performed in 1605. As such, its first audiences were...

a society in which women's access to power is limited

Elizabethan England, like Athens in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', was a patriarchal society. What is a patriarchal society?

The play opens with men holding power over women.

Egeus and Theseus dominate the dialogue with Hermia.

Demetrius is able to follow Lysander into the forest, unlike Helena.

As her father, Egeus is able to do what he wishes with Hermia.

As a woman, Hermia is able to say who she wants to marry.

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', the setting of Athens is presented as patriarchal. How?

Titania and Oberon rule over the fairy kingdom.

The Athenian nobles marry each other without their parents' consent.

Puck mistakenly puts the magical potion on Lysander.

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', the magical forest is a place of chaos and confusion. What are some examples of chaos and confusion that occur there?

In Act 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Lysander and Hermia run away to escape being punished by what Lysander calls "the {{ }} Athenian law".

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

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

The significance of the magical forest in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

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