A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Pictures

Use this lesson to help secondary and adult learners of CEFR Level B2 to develop their ability to read a short extract from Shakespeare's play 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', and to discuss paintings inspired by the work. 

'The Reconciliation of Oberon and Titania' (1847) by Joseph Noel Paton

Introduction

This lesson provides learners with the opportunity to review or develop their knowledge of the plot and characters from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Learners will study a short extract from Act IV Scene I and link the text to a visual representation of the scene. Learners will practise describing paintings inspired by the play. 

This lesson will work best with learners who are familiar with the play, although there is an option to use the lesson with learners who are not familiar. Note that the artwork that is central to this lesson has nudity. Please bear in mind cultural sensitivities when deciding whether this lesson will be appropriate for your class. 

A presentation accompanies this lesson. Teachers can print a student worksheet if they prefer, or they can carry out this lesson just using the presentation.

Topic:

Artwork inspired by Shakespeare’s play 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream'

Learning outcomes:

  • Ask and answer questions about key events in the plot of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
  • Find the important events in a short extract from the play (in original language)
  • Describe paintings inspired by the play in both spoken and written forms

Age and level:

13-17, Adults (B1+)

Time:

70-80 minutes

Materials:

The materials can be downloaded below. 

  • Presentation (PowerPoint or PDF)
  • Student worksheet (optional)

Comments

Submitted by aireling on Thu, 01/19/2023 - 22:04

Please could you add the links to the lesson plan and student worksheet?

Submitted by Paul Braddock on Wed, 01/25/2023 - 16:01

In reply to by aireling

Hi, you should be able to see the downloadable lesson plan and student worksheets now.

Thanks

Paul (TeachingEnglish team)

Research and insight

Browse fascinating case studies, research papers, publications and books by researchers and ELT experts from around the world.

See our publications, research and insight