Act 3 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’: disorder in the forest
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore Act 3 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, focusing on the disordered relationships between the Athenian nobles and Titania and Bottom.
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.
Teacher tip
The extract to be read in learning cycle 2 is reasonably long. Consider how you will read it with your pupils. Consider any words you might want to gloss, the questions you want to ask, and whether watching one or more productions would help them understand the comedy of this interaction.
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
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what do we learn about the character of Titania?
Q2.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what do we learn about the character of Bottom?
Q3.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why does Oberon want Puck to fetch him the magical potion?
Q4.Starting with the first, put these plot points from Act 2 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' in chronological order.
Q5.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', when Oberon puts the magical potion on Titania, he says, "Wake when something is near."
Q6.What is the name for the hierarchical system that was so important to Elizabethan society?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', how does Oberon react when he realises Titania is in love with Bottom?
Q2.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', how does Oberon react when he realises Puck put the love potion on the wrong Athenian man?
Q3.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what does Oberon do while Puck is looking for Helena in Act 3?
Q4.In Act 3 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Puck tells Oberon that Titania "with a is in love."
Q5.In Act 3 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', when Puck tells Oberon what has happened to Titania, Oberon states, "This falls out than I could devise".
Q6.In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', after Oberon realises Puck put the magical potion on the wrong person, he tells him to "About the wood go than the wind" to find Helena.
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Act 3 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’: disorder in the forest, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Act 3 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’: disorder in the forest, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 English lessons from the 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.