A Midsummer Nights Dream Lesson 3: The Most Lamentable Comedy and Most Cruel Death of Pyramus and Thisbee - PowerPoint

The PowerPoint presentation for "A Midsummer Night's Dream Lesson 3: The Most Lamentable Comedy and Most Cruel Death of Pyramus and Thisbe" is a comprehensive educational resource that aims to delve into Act 1, Scene 2 of Shakespeare's play. The objective of the lesson is to encourage students to read and discuss the scene with a particular focus on the characters, especially the labourers, and to analyse Shakespeare's use of contrast. The scene is a stark difference from the previous one, and students are prompted to examine the characters, mood, and language used, comparing the good-looking, serious aristocrats of Act 1, Scene 1 with the ungainly, absurd labourers of Act 1, Scene 2. The latter are depicted as well-meaning but comically inept, which creates a light-hearted and amusing mood for the audience.

Further deepening their understanding, students are tasked with writing a paragraph that explores how Shakespeare presents the labourers to the audience. Sentence starters are provided to assist in constructing the paragraph, guiding students to consider the labourers' plans, their presentation, the implications of their speech, and the dynamic between the characters, particularly identifying the dominant labourer. To conclude the lesson, students have the opportunity to read their paragraphs aloud and engage in peer review, offering constructive criticism to refine their analysis and understanding of the play's characters and themes.