Conclusions to essays about ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ | Starter Quiz | Oak National Academy

When writing an analytical essay on 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', what might your final paragraph do?

• introduce your thesis

• review the play

• summarise the plot of the play

• conclude the essay

Answer explanation

The final paragraph of an analytical essay could be devoted to concluding it by summarising your ideas and thinking about Shakespeare's intentions for his work.

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is a comedy. How might Shakespeare expect his audiences to respond to the plot and characters?

• with supernaturalness

• with laughter

• with anger

• with sadness

• with tears

Answer explanation

There are dark and dangerous moments in the play, but it is important to remember that it is a comedy and, as such, we are meant to laugh at the plot and characters at least to a certain extent.

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is a comedy. What are some common features of Shakespearean comedies?

• the supernatural

• a happy ending

• marriages in Act 5

• misunderstandings

• Kings and Queens

Answer explanation

Knowing what to expect from a particular genre of Shakespeare's plays can be very helpful before reading or watching, as it helps you understand what to expect.

In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', why might some argue that the supernatural is presented as ambiguous?

• The supernatural characters both create chaos but also restore order.

• The supernatural characters have servants but also magical powers.

• The supernatural characters do cruel things but they are also funny.

• The supernatural characters speak to each other but not to the human characters.

• A supernatural character gives an apologetic epilogue but he created the chaos.

Answer explanation

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is a comedy so we know the actions and characters are meant to be light-hearted. However, Shakespeare includes darker ideas and language so that we might consider the supernatural harmful as well as funny.

Match these evaluative sentences about the supernatural, an important idea in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', to their endings.

• The supernatural is scary so

• Shakespeare might be asking us to consider darker ideas in his comedy.

• The supernatural is scary because

• it has the power to alter who you love, and who you are.

• The supernatural is scary but

• you could also interpret it as harmless and fun.

Answer explanation

There are three ideas about the supernatural in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' here, but you might not agree with them. Consider writing evaluative sentences with an idea of your own.

When writing an analytical essay about 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', you will include a (a)   in your introduction which states the main idea you want to develop and maintain throughout your essay.

Answer explanation

Spending time planning and crafting a strong thesis in response to an essay question is an excellent use of time. It will provide a strong and clear foundation for your essay that you can return to throughout to guide your analysis.