a society in which men hold the power; the laws and structure of that society prevent women from having power

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

in a play, these are the words that the characters say

The patriarchal world of William Shakespeare's '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

References to forced marriage, violence against women and girls.

Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

In Act 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Hermia is told she will be punished if she doesn't obey her father. What punishments could she face?

both see an angry father demand something of their daughter

In what ways are the openings of Acts 1 and 2 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' similar?

She says no and creates a plan to punish him for his request.

She says no and asks Puck to help protect her.

She says she will if he gives her his fairy kingdom.

She says yes, but only after he makes her fall in love with Bottom.

She says yes, but then wants the boy back when she falls in love with Bottom.

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', how does Titania respond when Oberon asks her to give him the little boy she looks after?

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Athens is presented as a {{}} society, a society in which men hold the power and the laws and structure of the society prevent women from having power.

In Act 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Theseus tells Hermia that "To you, your father should be as a..."

In Act 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Egeus says of Hermia, "As she is {{}}, I may dispose of her".

Theseus won't let his daughter marry Demetrius

He can't find the magical love potion he needs

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why is Egeus angry at the start of the play?

makes you fall in love with your true love

makes you fall in love with the next person you see after you wake up

makes you fall out of love with your partner

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what does the magical love potion do?

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', who does Titania fall in love with when under the influence of the magical love potion?

argue about who gets to be in charge of a little boy

argue at the beginning of the play because one doesn't love the other

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', there is lots of conflict throughout the play. Match the pairs of characters with their conflict.

Titania refuses to give Oberon the little boy she looks after to be his servant.

Oberon puts a magical love potion on Titania's eyes as she sleeps.

Titania wakes up and falls in love with Bottom, who has the head of a donkey.

Oberon removes the magical love potion and he and Titania make up.

Starting with the first plot point, track Titania's storyline in chronological order through the play, 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

Egeus complains to Theseus that his daughter wants to marry Lysander.

Egeus asks Theseus if he can kills his daughter if she doesn't obey him.

Theseus advises Hermia to marry Demetrius, or she will be killed.

Lysander and Hermia decide to run away from Athens.

Hermia and Lysander tell Helena that they are going to run away.

Helena decides to tell Demetrius about Hermia and Lysander's plan.

Helena decides to follow Demetrius as he pursues Hermia.

Starting with the first plot point, order the events of Act 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' in chronological order.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

Adult supervision required

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

The patriarchal world of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

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