the phrase Puck uses to describe the poor Athenian actors, referencing their day jobs as skilled manual labourers

humour that relies on rude words or ideas

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

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’: Puck - obedient servant or irreverent joker?

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'

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

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

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Risk assessment required - physical activity

He transform Bottom into a donkey for him.

He puts the magical potion on Titania for him.

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', how does Puck show that he is a respectful servant to Oberon?

He deliberately turns the wrong person into a donkey.

He insults their clothing and intelligence.

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', how does Puck show his contempt for the poor Athenian actors?

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

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why might we think of Puck as irreverent?

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Puck jokes that he transforms himself into a stool that "The wisest aunt" is sitting on, only to disappear so she falls on "her bum"  What type of humour is this?

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Puck calls the poor Athenian actors the {{}}.

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', when Puck first sees the Rude Mechanicals, he asks, "What hempen {{}} have we swaggering here [...]?"

He wants to test the power of the magical potion.

He thinks it will be a funny practical joke.

He wants Helena to fall in love with someone ridiculous.

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why does Puck transform Bottom's head into that of a donkey?

In Puck's first dialogue with a fairy in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what different things does he tell her he has transformed into in the past in order to play practical jokes on people?

In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Oberon orders Puck to put the magical potion on Demetrius. Puck replies to these orders with, "Fear not, my {{}}. Your servant shall do so."

In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', a fairy accuses Puck of misleading "night wanderers and {{}} at their harm".

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', there are high and low status and through them, Shakespeare explores ideas around {{}}, a system by which people or things are ranked. 

The first audiences of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' were Elizabethan. Hierarchy was incredibly important to them. They believed in a hierarchical system called {{}}.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Risk assessment required - physical activity

Adult supervision required

Introduction

What will you need for this lesson?

Are you ready to learn?

Equipment

Content guidance

Supervision

Worksheet