Act 3, Scene 2 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream': order is restored in the forest
I can explain how the disorder in the forest is resolved, and consider how happy the ending of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is.
Act 3, Scene 2 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream': order is restored in the forest
I can explain how the disorder in the forest is resolved, and consider how happy the ending of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- In Act 3, Scene 1, we see Puck’s ability to create disorder amongst the Rude Mechanicals.
- In Act 3, Scene 2, we see Puck use the same abilities to restore order amongst the Athenian nobles.
- Puck applies the antidote to Lysander, but not Demetrius.
- Oberon asks for, and gets, the little boy he wants from Titania.
- The resolution to the play is happy, but audiences might question the treatment of Titania and Demetrius.
Keywords
Resolution - ending
Comedy - a play designed to make you laugh, often involving misunderstandings and ending in marriage
Rude Mechanicals - the phrase Puck uses to describe the poor Athenian actors, referencing their day jobs as skilled manual labourers
Restore - to return something back to its original state
Antidote - remedy or cure against a drug
Common misconception
Titania, Lysander and Demetrius have the antidote applied to them.
So that the play can end in happy marriages between all four Athenian nobles, only Lysander has the antidote applied to him. Demetrius is still under the influence of the magical potion.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of Williams 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 discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
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).
Lesson video
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