Act 3 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’: disorder in the forest
I can explore Act 3 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, focusing on the disordered relationships between the Athenian nobles and Titania and Bottom.
Act 3 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’: disorder in the forest
I can explore Act 3 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, focusing on the disordered relationships between the Athenian nobles and Titania and Bottom.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Oberon is pleased that Titania has fallen in love with Bottom.
- Oberon is angry that Puck put the magical potion on the wrong Athenian man.
- The relationship between Titania and Bottom is an example of disorder.
- For Elizabethans, Titania and Bottom’s relationship would be seen as especially funny because it disrupts the hierarchy.
- Elizabethans believed that everyone had their place in a hierarchical system called The Great Chain of Being.
Keywords
Disorder - confusion, chaos
Theme - an important idea to a text that is explored through different characters and plot points
Hierarchy - a system whereby people or things are ranked, with some being higher than others
Elizabethans - a person alive when Elizabeth I was on the throne (1558-1603); the first audiences of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ were Elizabethan
The Great Chain of Being - a term used by Elizabethans which referred to a system of ranking which they believed was created by God
Common misconception
Oberon finds the disorder between the Athenian nobles funny.
As soon as Oberon realises Puck's mistake, he swiftly tries to correct it.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. However, the relevant extracts for this lesson can also be found in the additional materials.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
- Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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