Analysing Puck's epilogue | Exit Quiz | Oak National Academy

What would be a powerful way to include quotations in a paragraph about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?

• use one quotation per paragraph

• translate the quotations into modern English

• include long quotations so you have a lot ot say about them

• include multiple quotations per paragraph

• link quotations from across the play together

Answer explanation

Including multiple quotations in one paragraph, and linking them together, is a fantastic way of showing off your knowledge and understanding of the play.

The character of Puck is central to 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Match the Acts and Scenes to his key plot points.

• Act 3, Scene 2

• restores order to the Athenian nobles

• Act 2, Scene 2

• applies the magical potion to Lysander by accident

• Act 5, Scene 1

• apologises if the play has caused any offence

• Act 2, Scene 1

• is established as both a trickster, and a loyal servant to Oberon

• Act 3, Scene 1

• transforms Bottom's head into that of a donkey

Answer explanation

Acts 2 and 3 are very busy for Puck. He follows Oberon's orders (or tries to) and then gets up to mischief by himself. Sadly (for him) he also has to restore order to the chaos he has created!

In Puck's epilogue at the end of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Puck refers to himself as "Robin" but also " an (a)   puck"

Answer explanation

This description of himself seems at odds with some of the behaviour we have seen from Puck throughout the play. It could be played for laughs, or it could be a moment of sincerity from this character who some interpret as essentially harmless.

In Puck's epilogue at the end of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Puck says, "Give me your hands, (a)   we be friends, And Robin shall restore amends."

Answer explanation

These last two lines are open to interpretation. Should we trust Puck as a friend? Should we trust that he will make everything better?

In his epilogue at the end of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Puck suggests that if the audience finds the play offensive, they can imagine that they have "but (a)   here" and that the play is a "dream."

Answer explanation

The Athenian nobles, and Bottom, all believe that what happened to them in the forest was a dream. Puck suggests that we, the audience, should think of the play as a dream too.

In Act 2, Scene 1 of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', the fairy calls Puck "that shrewd and (a)   sprite Called Robin Goodfellow".

Answer explanation

The fairy's description establishes Puck as a character we shouldn't trust, and one who takes pleasure in other people's pain. It is up to us to decide whether Puck is a harmless prankster, or something more malicious.