Exploring the character of Puck in Acts 2 and 3 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how the character of Puck is presented and how audiences might respond to him, focusing on his actions in Acts 2 and 3 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.
Key learning points
- In Elizabethan folklore, the word ‘puck’ meant a fairy, often one that was malicious and associated with the devil.
- In Elizabethan folklore, Robin Goodfellow was associated with a mischievous fairy who also helped with housework.
- Shakespeare emphasises Puck’s ability to transform himself physically.
- Shakespeare emphasises Puck’s ability to transform his attitude and dialogue depending on who he is talking to.
- Audiences may have different reactions to the character of Puck at different points in the play.
Keywords
Folklore - stories and traditions that are passed down from generation to generation; these are not written down, but told verbally
Elizabethan - a person alive when Elizabeth I was on the throne (1558-1603); the first audiences of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ were Elizabethan
Robin Goodfellow - a name from Elizabethan folklore, a character connected with practical jokes and helpfulness
A puck - in Elizabethan folklore, this was a general term for a fairy, but they also associated pucks with the devil and evil deeds
Transform - change
Common misconception
Oberon asks Puck to turn Bottom's head into that of a donkey.
Puck follows Oberon's orders, but in his own time, he gets up to his own mischief. He decides to transform Bottom and Oberon does not set out for Titania to fall in love with this particular character.
Teacher tip
The first practice task sees pupils consider two arguments in relation to a section of 2.1. Consider how you will help them manage the re-reading so that they can select evidence pertinent to their chosen idea. Consider if you need to model this, as well as the recording of the first bullet point.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. However, the relevant extracts 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.What does the word 'transform' mean?
Q2.Which words could describe the character of Puck in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?
Q3.In a 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' Puck enjoys playing practical jokes. What are some of the practical jokes he plays?
Q4.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' the character of Puck is a fairy spirit. An Elizabethan audience would be familiar with the word 'puck'. What were some of its associations?
Q5.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', the character of Puck is also known as: Robin Goodfellow. This name was familiar to Elizabethans. What would they believe this character was like?
Q6.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' what is Puck's relationship to the fairy King Oberon?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' what has the character of Puck not tranformed himself into before?
Q2.Match the key term with the correct definition.
stories and traditions that are passed down, often verbally
a person alive when Elizabeth I was on the throne
a character connected with practical jokes and helpfulness
a general term for a fairy, also associated with the devil and evil
Q3.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' Shakespeare emphasises Puck's ability to...
Q4.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' why does Puck speak differently to Oberon compared to other fairies?
Q5.Complete the quote from Act 2 Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream': "I jest to Oberon and make him..."
Q6.Why might Elizabethan audiences have had different opinions of Puck throughout 'A Midsummer Night's Dream?'
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Exploring the character of Puck in Acts 2 and 3 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: Exploring the character of Puck in Acts 2 and 3 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.