information about when and why a text was written that helps us understand a text more deeply

something that can’t be explained by the laws of nature

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

a person alive when Elizabeth I was on the throne (1558-1603); the first audiences of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ were Elizabethan

The presentation of Egeus in Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

English

The plot of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Understanding the genre of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

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

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, Act 2, Scene 1: Titania and Oberon’s conflict

Model paragraphs about Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

The character of Puck in Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

The character of Oberon in Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Exploring the character of Puck in Acts 2 and 3 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

Including context when writing about Puck in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

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

The impact of the magical potion in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

How is Puck presented in Act 2, Scene 2 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’?

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’: Puck - obedient servant or irreverent joker?

Act 3 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’: disorder in the forest

'A Midsummer Night's Dream': How is Puck presented in Act 3, Scene 2?

Act 3, Scene 2 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream': order is restored in the forest

How is Puck presented in Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?

'A Midsummer Night's Dream': Puck's epilogue in Act 5

Analysing Puck's epilogue in Act 5 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Exploring key themes in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream': love, power, disorder

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’: Shakespeare and the supernatural

'A Midsummer Night's Dream': powerful topic sentences about Puck

Creating an argument about the character of Puck in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

Introductions to essays about Puck in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Analytical paragraphs: Puck and the supernatural in ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Conclusions to essays: Puck and the supernatural in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

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

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'

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

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

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of sex or sexual body parts, including sex education.

Depiction or discussion of sexual content

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' was first performed in around 1595. What is the name for the play's first audiences?

Who was on the throne when Shakespeare wrote 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' was first watched by an Elizabethan audience. What were some common expectations of Elizabethan women?

Correct - because when the play was written, the monarch was a woman.

Correct - this is why Hermia has the power to run away from Athens.

Incorrect - Elizabethan society was patriarchal.

Incorrect - women were considered superior because the monarch was a woman.

Incorrect - women were considered equal only if they had supernatural powers.

A pupil said, 'When 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' was first performed, women were considered men's equals.' How might you respond to this statement?

In Act 1, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Egeus says Lysander has "{{ }}" Hermia and that is why she has fallen in love with him.

In Act 1, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Egeus says Demetrius has his "{{ }}" to marry Hermia, whereas Lysander does not.

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what is the name of Hermia's father?

Where is 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' set?

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', who does Egeus want Hermia to marry?

forced marriage to a man she doesn't love

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Hermia faces punishment if she doesn't obey her father and marry Demetrius. What punishments does she face?

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what supernatural or magical elements does Shakespeare include in the play?

It's a society in which women are considered equal to men.

It's a society in which women are considered superior to men.

It's a society in which women are considered inferior to men.

It's a society in which women are considered equal to fairies.

It's a society in which women are considered inferior to fairies.

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why might we describe Athens, where the play is set, as patriarchal?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of sexual content

Adult supervision required

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