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

Starter quiz

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', how might we define the relationship between Oberon and Puck?
- King and Prince
- friends
- supernatural
- brothers
- master and servant ✓
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.
- 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.
- He tricks Titania. ✓
In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what do we know of the character of Puck?
- 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.
- He follows Oberon's orders to get the magical potion. ✓
- He transforms Lysander into a donkey.
In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Puck tells a fairy, "I jest to Oberon and make him ______".
- 'smile' ✓
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.
- It is a hierarchical relationship. ✓
- Oberon finds Puck funny. ✓
- Puck is powerless compared to Oberon.
- Puck doesn't enjoy working for Oberon.
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

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.
- He commands Puck. ✓
- He turns Bottom into a donkey.
- He dominates his dialogue with Puck. ✓
- He orders Titania to leave as she won't obey him.
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.
- He has to use a potion on Titania to get what he wants. ✓
- Puck doesn't obey Oberon's commands.
- Oberon's commands to Puck could be interpreted as desperate. ✓
- Titania doesn't give in to Oberon's demands. ✓
In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Oberon commands Puck, saying, "______ me that flower".
- 'Fetch' ✓
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.
- Link quotations together so you can develop your ideas. ✓
- Don't use a quotation in every paragraph; you should use your own words instead.
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
- a sea monster ✓
- Cupid ✓
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."
- 'make' ✓

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

In Oberon’s and Puck’s first dialogue, Oberon speaks 27 lines and Puck speaks 3.
Oberon commands that Puck get him the magical potion so he can use it on Titania.
Puck obeys Oberon without question.
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