an idea you develop and maintain throughout an essay

the first sentence of a paragraph stating its main idea

quotations which support your topic sentence, and that require analysis

quotations which support your topic sentence, but don’t require analysis

Analytical paragraphs: Puck and the supernatural in ‘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'

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

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

quotations that support your topic sentence, and that require analysis

quotations that support your topic sentence, but don’t need analysis

When writing about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', it can be helpful to know some key terms relating to essays. Match the key terms to their definitions.

When writing about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', you will include main quotations in your paragraphs. What is true of main quotations?

the don't need to link to your topic sentence

When writing about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', you will include supporting quotations in your paragraphs. What is true of supporting quotations?

When writing about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', you will include a thesis and topic sentences. What is the relationship between these two aspects of the essay?

Shakespeare uses lots of techniques to present the supernatural.

Shakespeare says, "you are that shrewd and knavish sprite".

Shakespeare presents the supernatural as ambiguous.

Shakespeare presents the supernatural as both good and evil, but mainly good.

I think that the supernatural is the most important theme in the play.

Which is the strongest topic sentence which answers a question about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and the supernatural?

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Puck uses his ability to transform to scare the Rude Mechanicals. He says he will be "A hog, a {{}}, sometime fire."

when you summarise what a character says from a text

When writing about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', you should include quotations. What is a quotation?

a general statement in relation to the character or theme in the question

When writing about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', you could start with an introduction which follows a three part structure. Starting with the first sentence, put the three part structure in order.

explaining whether you think the text is good or not

considering why a writer wrote their work in the way that they did

selecting the longest quotations to show off your knowledge of the text

looking at a text closely and thinking about what it might mean

When writing about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', you should analyse quotations from the play. What does it mean to analyse?

because of their ability to transform and control others

because they restore order at the end of Act 3

because they sometimes have malicious intentions towards others

because they don't know how to remove the magical potion

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why might the characters of Puck and Oberon be considered dangerous?

because Titania gives Oberon the little boy he wants

because Oberod Puck are key to restoring order

because the play is a comedy, Puck and Oberon create comedic chaos 

because Puck makes a mistake putting the magical potion on Lysander

because Puck can transform into many different creatures and things

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why might the characters of Puck and Oberon be considered harmless?

He talks to a fairy about the practical jokes he likes to play.

He fetches the magical potion for Oberon.

He accidently puts the magical potion on Lysander.

He transforms Bottom's head into that of a donkey.

He asks Oberon if they can watch the unhappy Athenian nobles.

He leads the Athenian nobles through the forest so he can restore order.

He apologises to the audience if the play caused offence.

Starting with the first plot point, order Puck's role in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz