Exploring key themes in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream': love, power, disorder
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how three key themes (love, power and disorder) are explored in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.
Key learning points
- A theme is an important idea in a text that is explored in a number of different ways.
- As students of English, the first step is to work out what are a text’s most important themes.
- The next step is to consider when these themes are explored in the text.
- Finally, you could consider what a writer might be trying to say about this particular theme.
Keywords
Theme - an important idea in a text that is explored in a number of different ways
Explore - to look into something in detail.
Hierarchy - a system whereby people or things are ranked, with some being at the top, and others lower dow
Patriarchy - a society in which men hold the power; the laws and structure of that society prevent women from having power
Supernatural - things that can’t be explained by the laws of nature
Common misconception
A theme is any idea or plot point in a text.
Themes are the most important ideas in a text. There may be multiple. The most important themes are the ones that are returned to over and over again, and explored in a number of different ways.
Teacher tip
Learning cycle 2 is complex. Pupils may never have had to connect a theme with writer's intentions. Consider how many examples your pupils may need, and the timing for the discussion questions during the explanation to set pupils up for success in the Practice Task.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Each of these characters in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is powerful, and holds power over others. Match the character to their source of power.
has power over his daughter's life
has power over the city of Athens
has power over Titania after he uses the magic potion
has power to transform himself and others
Q2.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', there are lots of examples of different types of relationships. Match the type of relationship to its example.
explored through the Athenian nobles
explored through Hermia and Helena
explored through Titania and Bottom
explored through Hermia and Egeus
explored through Puck and Oberon
Q3.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', how does Oberon manage to get the little boy from Titania?
Q4.Each of these characters in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is presented as powerless at some point in the play. Match the character to the reason they are vulnerable.
threatened with extreme punishments by her father
doesn't always have power over who he loves
is powerless against Puck's transformative magic
can't stop Oberon taking the little boy from her
Q5.'A Midsummer Night's Dream' was first performed to an Elizabethan audience. Elizabethan society was which means it was a society in which men held the power.
Q6.'A Midsummer Night's Dream' was first performed to an Elizabethan audience. What were some important ideas in Elizabethan society that Shakespeare is exploring in his play?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.There are a number of key themes in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. What is a theme?
Q2.Below are three key themes in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Match each theme to one way it is explored in the play.
through the Athenian nobles
through Titania's relationship with Bottom
through the character Puck
Q3.Which of the following would count as a key theme in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?
Q4.When exploring a theme in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', you will first consider which themes are the most important. Then you will consider where this theme is explored. What is the next step?
Q5.There are lots of words which help us analyse 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' in a clear and academic way. Match the words to their definitions.
an idea that is explored in a text in a number of different ways
a person created by the writer
the main events in a story
the tools a writer uses to create their work eg. language choices
Q6.What might be appropriate answers to the question: 'How does Shakespeare explore the theme of order and disorder in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?'
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Exploring key themes in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream': love, power, disorder, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Exploring key themes in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream': love, power, disorder, 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.