A Midsummer Nights Dream Lesson 9: Shakespeare's Structure - Confusion Graph

In Lesson 9 of a series exploring Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," students delve into the playwright's use of structure by focusing on the varying levels of confusion experienced by characters throughout the play. The key activity in this lesson involves creating a 'Confusion Graph'. This graph is a visual representation that students plot to illustrate the peaks and troughs of confusion as the narrative unfolds. The task encourages students to analyse the text closely, identifying moments of heightened chaos or clarity that drive the play's comedic and dramatic elements.

The Confusion Graph serves as an interactive tool to help students understand Shakespeare's intricate plot and the deliberate pacing of events that contribute to the overall comedic impact of the play. By charting the ebbs and flows of confusion, students gain insight into Shakespeare's storytelling techniques and how he manages tension and resolution. The exercise not only aids in comprehension of the play's structure but also engages students in a hands-on approach to literary analysis, fostering a deeper appreciation of the Bard's literary craftsmanship in creating an enduring comedic masterpiece.