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Year 8

The character of Oberon in Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

I can explore how the character of Oberon is presented in Act 2, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

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New
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Year 8

The character of Oberon in Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

I can explore how the character of Oberon is presented in Act 2, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In Oberon’s and Puck’s first dialogue, Oberon speaks 27 lines and Puck speaks 3.
  2. Oberon commands that Puck get him the magical potion so he can use it on Titania.
  3. Puck obeys Oberon without question.
  4. When writing about ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, you could link quotations together to develop your ideas.

Common misconception

Oberon's commands, status and dominance in the dialogue mean he can only be interpreted as powerful.

There is much to suggest Oberon's power in this scene, but dialogue can be interpreted in many ways, and performance can affect how we perceive a character. There is no single reading of the play.

Keywords

  • Cupid - the Roman god of love, usually shown holding a bow and arrow

  • Imperious - arrogant, dominant

  • Contrast - difference

  • Sinister - threatening, menacing

  • Commands - orders

Annotate the dialogue yourself before the lesson, so that you know what you wish to draw your pupil's attention to. Consider if there are other aspects of the dialogue in 2.1 (there are just three extracts in this lesson) that you want your pupils to read in addition.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need access to a copy of 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 violence or suffering
  • 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).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', how might we define the relationship between Oberon and Puck?
King and Prince
friends
supernatural
brothers
Correct answer: master and servant
Q2.
In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what do we know of the character of Oberon?
He follows Puck's plan to use the love potion on Lysander.
Correct answer: He wants Titania to give him a little boy she cares for.
He wants Titania to give him a man called Bottom.
He uses the love potion so Titania falls in love with him.
Correct answer: He tricks Titania.
Q3.
In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what do we know of the character of Puck?
Correct answer: He is a mischievous fairy.
He tells Oberon to use a magical potion on Titania.
He wants a little boy to be his servant, like he is a servant for Oberon.
Correct answer: He follows Oberon's orders to get the magical potion.
He transforms Lysander into a donkey.
Q4.
In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Puck tells a fairy, "I jest to Oberon and make him ".
Correct Answer: smile
Q5.
In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Puck tells a fairy, "I jest to Oberon and make him smile." What inferences could we make about Oberon and Puck's relationship given this line?
Oberon has used the magical potion on Puck.
Correct answer: It is a hierarchical relationship.
Correct answer: Oberon finds Puck funny.
Puck is powerless compared to Oberon.
Puck doesn't enjoy working for Oberon.
Q6.
Starting with the first plot point, order these moments from the opening of Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' into chronological order.
1 - The action moves to the magical forest.
2 - A fairy meets Puck.
3 - Puck explains the different practical jokes he plays on people.
4 - Oberon and Titania arrive and fight over the little boy.
5 - Titania leaves Oberon.
6 - Oberon determines to get revenge on Titania.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why might we think of Oberon as a powerful character?
Titania gives him the little boy he wants.
Correct answer: He commands Puck.
He turns Bottom into a donkey.
Correct answer: He dominates his dialogue with Puck.
He orders Titania to leave as she won't obey him.
Q2.
In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why might we think of Oberon as a powerless character?
We hear about Puck's ability to perform practical jokes, not Oberon's.
Correct answer: He has to use a potion on Titania to get what he wants.
Puck doesn't obey Oberon's commands.
Correct answer: Oberon's commands to Puck could be interpreted as desperate.
Correct answer: Titania doesn't give in to Oberon's demands.
Q3.
In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Oberon commands Puck, saying, " me that flower".
Correct Answer: Fetch
Q4.
When writing about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' you will explore quotations. What is best practice when exploring quotations in a paragraph?
Only use one quotation per paragraph.
Write down all the quotations you can remember in one paragraph.
Include long quotation so you have a lot to write about.
Correct answer: Link quotations together so you can develop your ideas.
Don't use a quotation in every paragraph; you should use your own words instead.
Q5.
In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Oberon refers to two supernatural creatures in his dialogue with Puck. Which are they?
Theseus
the love potion
Bottom
Correct answer: a sea monster
Correct answer: Cupid
Q6.
In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Oberon says the magic potion "Will or man or woman madly dote Upon the next live creature that it sees."
Correct Answer: make

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