‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, Act 2, Scene 1: Titania and Oberon’s conflict
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore the presentation of Titania and Oberon in Act 2, Scene 1 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.
Key learning points
- Act 2 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ begins, like Act 1, with a conflict.
- Shakespeare uses dramatic methods to draw attention to the differences between the two conflicts.
- Dramatic methods are the tools a playwright uses to create their work e.g. characterisation, setting, stage directions.
- You should explore dramatic methods when annotating, discussing or writing about a text.
Keywords
Stage directions - text in a play script which gives information about how a scene should be staged, or how an actor should say a particular line
Train - in the context of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, it means followers, entourage, servants
Dramatic methods - the tools a playwright uses to create their work; for example, characterisation, setting, language choices, stage directions
Annotate - to add short notes to a piece of text with your own ideas and comments; a key skill in English
Equality - the state of being of the same status as someone else, with the same rights
Common misconception
You can't compare one scene to another. You must focus on one at a time.
A play is not a sequence of unconnected scenes and characters. They all work together to present and explore particular ideas. You should compare characters and scenes in order to understand a play, its characters and ideas more deeply.
Teacher tip
There are two moments during which pupils can perform in this lesson. Consider space, pairings, timings and your own position in the classroom to make sure it truly adds something to the lesson and understanding of the play.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. However, the extracts needed for this lesson can be found in the lesson slides.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', who is Titania?
Q2.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', who is Oberon?
Q3.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why are Titania and Oberon in conflict?
Q4.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what does Oberon do when Titania refuses to give him the little boy he wants?
Q5.'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is a play. Which of the following are features of plays?
Q6.In Act 2 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', the setting changes. How does the setting change?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what do the stage directions state Oberon and Titania have with them when they first appear on stage?
Q2.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what are some of the similarities between Titania and Hermia?
Q3. are important to many play scripts. They are text in a play script which gives information about how a scene should be staged, or how an actor should say a particular line.
Q4.In Act 2 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Oberon says to Titania, "I do but a little changeling boy/ To be my henchman".
Q5.In Act 2 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', after Titania leaves Oberon without giving him what he wants, he says "Thou shalt not from this grove [forest]/Till I thee for this injury."
Q6.In Act 2 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', when Oberon and Titania first enter, the stage directions read, "Enter Oberon the King of the Fairies, with his , and Titania [...] with hers."
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, Act 2, Scene 1: Titania and Oberon’s conflict, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, Act 2, Scene 1: Titania and Oberon’s conflict, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 English lessons from the 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.