stories and traditions that are passed down from generation to generation; these are not written down, but told verbally

a person alive when Elizabeth I was on the throne (1558-1603); the first audiences of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ were Elizabethan

a name from Elizabethan folklore, a character connected with practical jokes and helpfulness

in Elizabethan folklore, this was a general term for a fairy, but they also associated pucks with the devil and evil deeds

Exploring the character of Puck in Acts 2 and 3 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. 

In this unit, pupils read and explore Shakespeare's comedy 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. They focus on the character Puck and the theme of the supernatural, and analyse their role and importance at different points in the play. Finally, they plan and write an essay about Puck and the supernatural.

'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

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

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' what has the character of Puck not tranformed himself into before? 

stories and traditions that are passed down, often verbally

a person alive when Elizabeth I was on the throne

a character connected with practical jokes and helpfulness

a general term for a fairy, also associated with the devil and evil

Match the key term with the correct definition. 

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' Shakespeare emphasises Puck's ability to...

Puck can be more friendly with Oberon as he knows him better

Oberon is Puck's master so Puck must be more obedient

Puck and Oberson are equals so Puck can talk down to other fairies 

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' why does Puck speak differently to Oberon compared to other fairies?

Complete the quote from Act 2 Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream': "I jest to Oberon and make him..."

He had two different names which were associated with different ideas 

He completely transforms throughout the play

Shakespeare showed he could transform the way he spoke to different characters

Why might Elizabethan audiences have had different opinions of Puck throughout 'A Midsummer Night's Dream?'

Which words could describe the character of Puck in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?

gives Titania's boy the head of a donkey 

mild physical harm, like drinks being spilled, or falling over

In a 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' Puck enjoys playing practical jokes. What are some of the practical jokes he plays? 

it was associated with fairies who served masters

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' the character of Puck is a fairy spirit. An Elizabethan audience would be familiar with the word 'puck'. What were some of its associations? 

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', the character of Puck is also known as: Robin Goodfellow. This name was familiar to Elizabethans. What would they believe this character was like?

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' what is Puck's relationship to the fairy King Oberon? 

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Exploring the character of Puck in Acts 2 and 3 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.