'A Midsummer Night's Dream': How is Puck presented in Act 3, Scene 2?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Puck is presented as a remorseless character in Act 3, Scene 2 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.
Key learning points
- Oberon and Puck have different reactions to the disorder amongst the Athenian nobles.
- Oberon tries to restore order immediately.
- Oberon blames Puck for the chaos.
- Puck enjoys the disorder, calling it “sport”.
- Arguably, Shakespeare presents Puck as a remorseless character who has contempt for the humans in the forest.
Keywords
Remorseless - without regret or guilt.
Restore - to return something back to its original state.
Pageant - a show.
Contemptuous - insulting.
Sport - in the context of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, it means an enjoyable hobby.
Common misconception
Puck tries to create more chaos after realising his mistake.
Puck is consistently shown to follow Oberon's orders in relation to the Athenian nobles, and to try and do so correctly. However, he does find it very funny, even though he didn't deliberately create the situation.
Teacher tip
In this lesson, we see Puck react to the chaos of the Athenian nobles and explore his speeches carefully. Consider if showing performances of the disorder would help your pupils understand why Puck considers it a "pageant" and "sport".
Equipment
You need access to a copy of William 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 sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.At the beginning of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', who is Demetrius in love with?
Q2.After having the magical potion applied to them in Acts 2 and 3 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', who do Lysander and Demetrius fall in love with?
Q3.In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what do we learn about the character of Puck?
Q4.A pupil said of Puck, a character in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream': "Puck purposefully causes chaos amongst the Athenian nobles." How would you correct them?
Q5.Starting with the first plot point, order these events from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' in chronological order.
Q6.In Act 3, Scene 2 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', when Oberon realises that Puck put the magical potion on the wrong man, he orders Puck to find Helena "swifter than the ".
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Act 3 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', how does Helena feel when both Demetrius and Lysander say they love her?
Q2.In Act 3 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', how does Hermia feel when both Demetrius and Lysander say they love Helena?
Q3.In Act 3 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what does Puck want to do after he realises the Athenian nobles' love lives are in chaos?
Q4.In Act 3 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Oberon accuses Puck of creating the chaos amongst the Athenian noble people on purpose. Is this a fair accusation?
Q5.In Act 3 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', as Puck watches the Athenian nobles fighting, he says, "Lord, what these mortals be!"
Q6.In Act 3 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Puck says he enjoys watching the Athenian noble people in chaos. He calls it a "fond pageant" and a " ".
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: 'A Midsummer Night's Dream': How is Puck presented in Act 3, Scene 2?, 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': How is Puck presented in Act 3, Scene 2?, 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.