to look at something carefully and make a judgement about it

text in a play script which gives information about how a scene should be staged, or how an actor should say a particular line

the tools a playwright uses to create their work; for example, characterisation, setting, language choices, stage directions

to add short notes to a piece of text with your own ideas and comments; a key skill in English

Model paragraphs about Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

English

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', pupils learn about marriage conventions within Shakespeare's patriarchal society. In 'Macbeth: Lady Macbeth as a Machiavellian Villain', pupils explore the ways in which this female character subverts the expectations of women in her day and question whether modern and contemporary audiences are likely to sympathise with her. 

In 'The Tempest', pupils explore the ways in which Ariel and Caliban, as 'outsiders', might be perceived by modern and contemporary audiences. In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', pupils use context to develop their understanding of marriage rituals and attitudes to magic in the play. 

'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Depiction or discussion of distress or humiliation e.g. bullying.

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why might we describe the character of Oberon as malevolent?

In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what does Titania want to do as soon as she sees Oberon?

how an Elizabethan audience would answer the question

When given a question about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', you should annotate it. What kinds of notes might you annotate it with?

they both feel they are being disobeyed by women who should obey them

they both use the supernatural to punish the person they are arguing with

they both threaten to kill the person they are arguing with

they both ask someone to support them punishing the person they are fighting

they both dominate the dialogue when they talk to the person they are fighting

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Oberon, just like Egeus, is in conflict with an important person in his life. What are other similarities between the two men?

In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Oberon says, "Give me that boy" and Titania replies, "Not for thy ..."

In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Titania says of Oberon, "I have {{}} his bed and company."

Titania is of a higher status than Oberon.

In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', there is a fight between Oberon and Titania. Titania speaks many more lines than Oberon. What could we infer about the relationship between the two?

decides to put the love potion on Demetrius

states he will get Puck to steal the boy from Titania

states he will make Bottom fall in love with her

states he will get revenge on Titania because she continues to disobey him

In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', after Titania leaves Oberon in the forest, what is the first thing he does?

When considering 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', you should explore Shakespeare's dramatic methods. Which of the following are examples of dramatic methods?

In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Oberon asks Titania, "Am I not thy...?".

In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Oberon asks Titania, "Am I not thy lord?". Titania replies, "Then I must be thy..."

When Oberon and Titania first appear on stage in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Oberon calls Titania a "wanton". What does this word mean?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz