Analysing Puck's epilogue in Act 5 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore the language of Puck’s epilogue, linking it to other moments in the play.
Key learning points
- ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ ends with an epilogue given by the character of Puck.
- Puck’s epilogue breaks the fourth wall and offers to make “amends” for any offence caused by the play.
- Puck’s characterisation in the epilogue could be considered different to his characterisation in the rest of the play.
- Perceptive analysis can involve making thoughtful connections between different moments in a text.
Keywords
Epilogue - a speech or piece of writing that comes at the end of a text and makes a comment on what has happened in the story.
Breaking the fourth wall - when a character in a play speaks directly to the audience, acknowledging the audience exists.
Foreshadow - a hint or indication of what will happen later in the story.
Perceptive - thoughtful, noticing small details.
Methods - the tools a writer uses to create their work; for example, characterisation, setting, language choices, foreshadowing.
Common misconception
You should only analyse one quotation per paragraph.
Analysing multiple quotations, and exploring the connections between them, makes for the most powerful analysis.
Teacher tip
Consider the check for understanding slide in learning cycle 2. There is an example and non-example here. Consider how you might unpick these models to address misconceptions before pupils start writing. You may want to re-write the non-example to focus on a particular target for your class.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. However, the extracts required for this lesson can also be found in the additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who says the last lines of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?
Q2.In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what are some of the things the fairy says Puck likes to do?
Q3.In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what are some of the things Puck says to the fairy about how he makes Oberon "smile"?
Q4.'A Midsummer Night's Dream' ends with an said by the character of Puck in which he makes a comment on what has happened in the play, apologising for any offence it might have caused.
Q5.What are some of the things Puck says in his epilogue at the end of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?
Q6.In the epilogue at the end of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Puck speaks directly to the audience. What is this called?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What would be a powerful way to include quotations in a paragraph about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?
Q2.The character of Puck is central to 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Match the Acts and Scenes to his key plot points.
is established as both a trickster, and a loyal servant to Oberon
applies the magical potion to Lysander by accident
transforms Bottom's head into that of a donkey
restores order to the Athenian nobles
apologises if the play has caused any offence
Q3.In Puck's epilogue at the end of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Puck refers to himself as "Robin" but also " an puck"
Q4.In Puck's epilogue at the end of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Puck says, "Give me your hands, we be friends, And Robin shall restore amends."
Q5.In his epilogue at the end of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Puck suggests that if the audience finds the play offensive, they can imagine that they have "but here" and that the play is a "dream."
Q6.In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', the fairy calls Puck "that shrewd and sprite Called Robin Goodfellow".
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Analysing Puck's epilogue in Act 5 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Analysing Puck's epilogue in Act 5 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', 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.