The character of Oberon in Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore how the character of Oberon is presented in Act 2, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.
Key learning points
- In Oberon’s and Puck’s first dialogue, Oberon speaks 27 lines and Puck speaks 3.
- Oberon commands that Puck get him the magical potion so he can use it on Titania.
- Puck obeys Oberon without question.
- When writing about ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, you could link quotations together to develop your ideas.
Keywords
Cupid - the Roman god of love, usually shown holding a bow and arrow
Imperious - arrogant, dominant
Contrast - difference
Sinister - threatening, menacing
Commands - orders
Common misconception
Oberon's commands, status and dominance in the dialogue mean he can only be interpreted as powerful.
There is much to suggest Oberon's power in this scene, but dialogue can be interpreted in many ways, and performance can affect how we perceive a character. There is no single reading of the play.
Teacher tip
Annotate the dialogue yourself before the lesson, so that you know what you wish to draw your pupil's attention to. Consider if there are other aspects of the dialogue in 2.1 (there are just three extracts in this lesson) that you want your pupils to read in addition.
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 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', how might we define the relationship between Oberon and Puck?
Q2.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what do we know of the character of Oberon?
Q3.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what do we know of the character of Puck?
Q4.In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Puck tells a fairy, "I jest to Oberon and make him ".
Q5.In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Puck tells a fairy, "I jest to Oberon and make him smile." What inferences could we make about Oberon and Puck's relationship given this line?
Q6.Starting with the first plot point, order these moments from the opening of Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' into chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why might we think of Oberon as a powerful character?
Q2.In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why might we think of Oberon as a powerless character?
Q3.In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Oberon commands Puck, saying, " me that flower".
Q4.When writing about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' you will explore quotations. What is best practice when exploring quotations in a paragraph?
Q5.In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Oberon refers to two supernatural creatures in his dialogue with Puck. Which are they?
Q6.In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Oberon says the magic potion "Will or man or woman madly dote Upon the next live creature that it sees."
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: The character of Oberon in Act 2, Scene 1 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: The character of Oberon in Act 2, Scene 1 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.