the main ideas in a text which are explored in a number of different ways.

the way in which a play is divided (like a book is divided into chapters); all of Shakespeare’s plays have five.

a play designed to make you laugh, often involving misunderstandings and ending in marriage.

The plot of William Shakespeare's '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

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is set in two different places. What are the two settings?

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', who does Egeus want his daughter, Hermia, to marry?

Her father, Egeus, wants her to marry Lysander

She is sad that her friend, Hermia, is leaving Athens

She is in love with Demetrius, who doesn't love her back

Theseus says she must become a nun if she doesn't marry Demetrius

Oberon has put a magical potion on her eyes and she is in love with Bottom

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why is Helena so unhappy at the beginning of the play?

because she won't give him his fairy kingdom back

because she used the magical potion on him

because she won't give him the little boy she is looking after

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why is Oberon so angry with Titania?

makes him get the boy from Titania and give him to Oberon

makes him perform a play to the noble Athenians

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what does Puck to do Bottom?

Hermia and Lysander run away from Athens.

Oberon and Titania fight. Lysander falls in love with Helena.

Titania falls in love with Bottom, Demetrius with Helena.

The love potion is removed from Lysander and Titania.

The poor Athenians perform a play to the rich nobles.

Match the Acts from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' to their plot points.

What type of texts did William Shakespeare write?

Whilst books are usually divided into chapters, what are plays divided into?

All of Shakespeare's plays are divided into acts. How many acts is each divided into?

Shakespeare wrote a number of comedies. Which of the following of Shakespeare's plays are comedies?

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is a Shakespearean comedy. What common features do Shakespearean comedies share?

The characters in the play will all be asleep

The play might explore the power of imagination

The play can only be performed in the summer

We perhaps shouldn't take what we see too seriously - it is a dream

Strange things could happen, just like they do in a dream

The title of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' could tell us something about what to expect in the play. What inferences could we make about this title?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

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

The plot of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

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