Including context when writing about Puck in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
I can include relevant contextual ideas in my writing when exploring the character of Puck in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.
Including context when writing about Puck in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
I can include relevant contextual ideas in my writing when exploring the character of Puck in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Shakespeare was writing for an Elizabethan audience.
- The ideas, characters and plot points in the play are designed to engage with Elizabethan society, attitudes and values.
- Information about Elizabethan society, attitudes and values is called context.
- When writing about the play, you should include context to develop your ideas.
Common misconception
Context should be included in one sentence at the end of each analytical paragraph.
You can include contextual ideas where relevant - this could be at the start, middle or multiple times in a paragraph. Contextual ideas will often help you develop your analysis of a particular quotation or character.
Keywords
Patriarchal - a society in which men hold the power; the laws and structure of that society prevent women having power.
Hierarchy - a system whereby people or things are ranked, with some being at the top, and others lower down.
Elizabethan - a person alive when Elizabeth I was on the throne (1558-1603); the first audiences of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ were Elizabethan.
Folklore - stories and traditions that are passed down from generation to generation; these are not written down, but told verbally.
Shakespearean comedy - a play designed to make you laugh, often involving misunderstandings and disorder, ending in marriage.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
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).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a society in which men hold the power
a system whereby people or things are ranked
stories and traditions that are passed down
a person alive when Elizabeth I was on the throne (1558-1603)
a play designed to make you laugh, often involving misunderstandings