a speech or piece of writing that comes at the end of a text and makes a comment on what has happened in the story

when a character in a play speaks directly to the audience, acknowledging the audience exists

a system whereby people or things are ranked, with some being higher than others

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

to remove parts of a text that you think shouldn’t be seen

'A Midsummer Night's Dream': Puck's epilogue in Act 5

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'

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Risk assessment required - physical activity

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' ends with a speech or piece of writing that comes at the end of a text and makes a comment on what has happened in the story. This is called an {{}}.

He acknowledges the existence of the audience.

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', how does Puck's epilogue in Act 5 break the fourth wall?

It saw large, and sometimes unruly crowds, gather.

Plays sometimes contained dangerous ideas.

Elizabeth I was against the theatre, so it was a treasonous act.

Some play's jokes were rude, immoral and ungodly.

'A Midsummer Night's Dream's' first audiences were Elizabethan. Why did some Elizabethans think the theatre was dangerous?

She banned comedies which presented disorder.

She didn't allow theatres to be built inside the city of London.

She only allowed one theatre to be built in London.

She made every play have an apologetic epilogue.

She appointed a Master of Revels who could censor plays.

Elizabeth I was on the throne when 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' was first performed. She enjoyed the theatre, but also controlled it. What measures did she put in place so that the theatre was 'safe'?

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Puck begins his epilogue, "If we shadows have {{}}, Think but this, and all is mended".

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' ends with an epilogue from the character of Puck who apologises for any offence caused in the play, and asks those who are offended to think of the play as a "{{}}".

He removes the magical potion from Titania.

He removes the magical potion from Demetrius.

Her removes the magical potion from Lysander.

He removes the magical potion from Helena.

He removes the magical potion from Bottom.

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', how does the character of Puck help restore order in Act 3?

He brings the Athenian nobles to the magical forest.

He makes Bottom fall in love with Titania.

He disobeys Oberon, focusing his energies on Bottom rather than Lysander.

He puts the magal potion on Lysander by accident.

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

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', how does the character of Puck create chaos?

They cared about how hard you worked rather than titles, money and status.

Some people were considered more important than others.

They believed in the supernatural, and that fairies were superior to them.

It was a very ordered society where status was important.

All humans were equal, but God was at the top of the hierarchy.

The first audiences of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' were Elizabethan. Elizabethan society was intensely hierarchical. What does this mean?

puts the magical potion on him by mistake

feels sorry for her when he sees her lying on the ground sleeping

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Puck interacts with most of the characters in the play. Match each character to Puck's involvement with them.

Titania is meant to be in love with Puck, not Bottom.

Bottom's transformatin makes him monstrous.

Titania is presented as a character who isn't meant to love anyone.

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why is Titania and Bottom's relationship an example of disorder?

He knows he can wait for them to sort themselves out.

He deliberately created this chaos and feels proud watching it unfold.

He says it is a hobby of his to watch distress.

In Act 3 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why does Puck want to watch the Athenian nobles in chaos?

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - physical activity

Adult supervision required

Starter Quiz