Understanding the portrayal of Miranda in Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'
I can understand and describe the extent to which Miranda meets the expectations of a patriarchal society.
Understanding the portrayal of Miranda in Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'
I can understand and describe the extent to which Miranda meets the expectations of a patriarchal society.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Shakespearean society was a patriarchal society.
- Women had less legal rights than men and faced social pressure to be subservient to men.
- Miranda is shown as compassionate, beautiful, intelligent and optimistic.
- Miranda is also shown as questioning her father’s decisions.
- Miranda could be considered as both subverting and meeting the expectations of patriarchal society.
Keywords
Patriarchal - A patriarchal society is where men hold positions of control and are considered more important than women.
Subvert - To subvert means to undermine the power or authority of an established system by going against the rules.
Stereotype - A stereotype is a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like.
Subservient - Being subservient means you’re willing to do what other people want and consider your own wishes less important.
Common misconception
Students sometimes think that women were completely powerless in Shakespeare's time.
While there were legal restrictions and social pressures on women in Shakespeare's time, there were some women who had power and influence.
To help you plan your year 7 english lesson on: Understanding the portrayal of Miranda in Shakespeare's 'The Tempest', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 7 english lesson on: Understanding the portrayal of Miranda in Shakespeare's 'The Tempest', 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.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 english lessons from the 'The Tempest' unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You may want a copy of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended