‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’: Puck - obedient servant or irreverent joker?
I can explore the way Puck treats the Rude Mechanicals in Act 3 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, and consider how this is different or similar to his words and actions in Act 2.
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’: Puck - obedient servant or irreverent joker?
I can explore the way Puck treats the Rude Mechanicals in Act 3 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, and consider how this is different or similar to his words and actions in Act 2.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Arguably, Puck is first presented as an irreverent character.
- Shakespeare develops Puck’s character by contrasting his initial presentation to his interactions with Oberon.
- Puck’s language when he speaks to Oberon suggests he respects the hierarchy.
- Puck’s language when he first meets the Rude Mechanicals suggests he has contempt for them as low status characters.
Common misconception
Puck is a disrespectful character.
Puck's disrespect is targeted at particular characters. He is shown as respectful to Oberon, for example, and other high status characters.
Keywords
Irreverent - disrespectful
Contemptuous - insulting
Rude Mechanicals - the phrase Puck uses to describe the poor Athenian actors, referencing their day jobs as skilled manual labourers
Crude - humour that relies on rude words or ideas
Hierarchy - a system whereby people or things are ranked, with some being higher than others
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 discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
- Risk assessment required - physical activity
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).
Video
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