‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’: Shakespeare and the supernatural
I can explore how the supernatural is presented in a number of Shakespeare’s plays and use this exploration to explain why the character of Puck is a comic figure.
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’: Shakespeare and the supernatural
I can explore how the supernatural is presented in a number of Shakespeare’s plays and use this exploration to explain why the character of Puck is a comic figure.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Shakespeare explored the supernatural in many of his plays.
- Sometimes Shakespeare presents the supernatural as clearly evil.
- In ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, the character of Puck is presented in an ambiguous way.
- Despite this ambiguous presentation, Puck is central to making ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ a comedy.
Keywords
Supernatural - things that can’t be explained by the laws of nature
Folklore - stories and traditions that are passed down from generation to generation; these are not written down, but told verbally
Ambiguous - open to interpretation
Shakespearean comedy - a play designed to make you laugh, often involving misunderstandings and ending in marriage
'Macbeth' - a play written by Shakespeare which includes the supernatural; it is a tragedy with a sad, violent ending
Common misconception
You should only ever consider one Shakespearean play at a time. Comparing plays and characters is irrelevant and confusing.
Comparing characters can be an excellent way to deepen your understanding of Shakespeare as a writer, and to understand the significance of how a particular character has been created.
To help you plan your year 8 english lesson on: ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’: Shakespeare and the supernatural, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 english lesson on: ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’: Shakespeare and the supernatural, 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.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. However, the extracts required for this lesson can also be found in the additional materials.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
- Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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