The character of Puck in Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Puck is introduced in Act 2 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, and common Elizabethan beliefs about this character.
Key learning points
- Oberon’s servant has two names: Puck and Robin Goodfellow.
- In Elizabethan folklore, ‘puck’ was a general term for a fairy.
- Elizabethan folklore also connected the word ‘puck’ with malevolence and the devil.
- Robin Goodfellow is a name from Elizabethan folklore, a character connected with practical jokes and helpfulness.
- When Puck is first introduced, we are told about many of his practical jokes.
Keywords
Mischievous - naughty, badly behaved
Malevolent - cruel, malicious, evil
Folklore - stories and traditions that are passed down from generation to generation; these are not written down, but told verbally
Foreshadow - an indication or clue of a future event in a story
Elizabethan - a person alive when Elizabeth I was on the throne (1558-1603); the first audiences of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ were Elizabethan
Common misconception
There is one interpretation of Puck (either malevolent or mischievous) and you have to work out which one is correct.
A play, and its characters, can be interpreted in many different ways. Different performances will draw out particular interpretations.
Teacher tip
This lesson is all about interpretations of Puck. Consider if watching different performances of his introduction would help your pupils understand the range of ways he has been interpreted over the years.
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
Depiction or discussion of nudity
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', which characters are supernatural?
Q2.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', who is Oberon's servant?
Q3.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what does Puck do to Bottom?
Q4.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', who does Puck put the magical potion on?
Q5.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Puck initially puts the love potion on Lysander. Why does he do this?
Q6.Starting with the first plot point, pout the storyline of Puck from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' into chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which words could describe the character of Puck in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?
Q2.In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', we meet Puck for the first time. Match what he says about himself to its modern meaning.
Q3.In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', a fairy and Puck exchange dialogue. They speak about all the practical jokes Puck plays. What are some of the things he does?
Q4.One of the characters in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is called Puck. The word 'puck' had a known meanings for an Elizabethan audience. What were some of its associations?
Q5.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', the character of Puck has a second name: Robin Goodfellow. This name was known to Elizabethans. What would they believe this character was like?
Q6. is the name for stories and traditions that are passed down from generation to generation; these are not written down, but told verbally.
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: The character of Puck in Shakespeare’s ‘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 Puck in Shakespeare’s ‘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.