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Year 8 - English

Exploring the character of Puck in Acts 2 and 3 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils read and explore Shakespeare's comedy 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. They focus on the character Puck and the theme of the supernatural, and analyse their role and importance at different points in the play. Finally, they plan and write an essay about Puck and the supernatural.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain how the character of Puck is presented and how audiences might respond to him, focusing on his actions in Acts 2 and 3 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

Key Notes

  • In Elizabethan folklore, the word 'puck' meant a fairy, often one that was malicious and associated with the devil.
  • In Elizabethan folklore, Robin Goodfellow was associated with a mischievous fairy who also helped with housework.
  • Shakespeare emphasises Puck's ability to transform himself physically.
  • Shakespeare emphasises Puck's ability to transform his attitude and dialogue depending on who he is talking to.
  • Audiences may have different reactions to the character of Puck at different points in the play.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • folklore: stories and traditions that are passed down from generation to generation; these are not written down, but told verbally
  • Elizabethan: a person alive when Elizabeth I was on the throne (1558-1603); the first audiences of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' were Elizabethan
  • Robin Goodfellow: a name from Elizabethan folklore, a character connected with practical jokes and helpfulness
  • a puck: in Elizabethan folklore, this was a general term for a fairy, but they also associated pucks with the devil and evil deeds
  • transform: change

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Oberon asks Puck to turn Bottom's head into that of a donkey.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

In Elizabethan folklore, the word 'puck' meant a fairy, often one that was malicious and associated with the devil. In Elizabethan folklore, Robin Goodfellow was associated with a mischievous fairy who also helped with housework.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'folklore'

stories and traditions that are passed down from generation to generation; these are not written down, but told verbally.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Oberon asks Puck to turn Bottom's head into that of a donkey. Correction: Puck follows Oberon's orders, but in his own time, he gets up to his own mischief. He decides to transform Bottom and Oberon does not set out for Titania to fall in love with this particular character.

More Lessons In This Unit

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