GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE FOR TEACHING FROM 2015 SHAKESPEARE EXEMPLAR - ANNOTATED

Transcription

1 9A GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE FOR TEACHING FROM 2015 CPD AUTUMN 2016 SHAKESPEARE EXEMPLAR - ANNOTATED 1

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3 'Even though Mercutio dies at the beginning of Act 3, he is very important to the play as a whole.' Show how Mercutio could be described as important to the play as a whole. [25] *5 of this question's marks are allocated for accuracy in spelling, punctuation and the use of vocabulary and sentence structures. Mercutio is a very important character to the play. He is neither a Montague nor a Capulet. The name Mercutio comes from the word mercurial which means quick to change. In Act 1 scene 4, it is the first time the audience meet Mercutio. He states: We must have you dance and this is aimed at Romeo, who is upset because Rosaline doesn t love him back. This suggests Mercutio is good friends with Romeo and that he cares about his feelings as he encourages him to join in the fun. In the same scene Mercutio makes a speech about the way he feels about love. He states: Oh then I see Queen Mab hath been with you This suggests he has a good imagination as Queen Mab is not a real character. He then also states: Her chariot is an empty hazelnut This is also shows his imagination is very vivid, as he can describe an imaginary person in great detail. In act 2 scene 1 Mercutio is outside the Capulets mansion and is searching Romeo, after the ball has finished. Whilst with Benvolio, he makes rude/sexual jokes about Romeo s love, Rosaline. This is found in the text as he states: Oh that she were an open arse and he a pop rin pear This shows the audience he has good humour and also shows his laid back attitude. He doesn t take life too seriously. Further in the text he states quivering thigh which also shows he is making rude jokes. In this scene Mercutio calls for Romeo, but says other names he thinks Romeo is best suited to. He states: Romeo! Humours! Passion! Lover! The use of exclamation marks shows his anger. It also suggests he is a little jealous about Romeo not spending much time with his friends. In act 2 scene 4 Mercutio comes across as being very rude towards the Nurse as he states her fans the fairer face. This shows he doesn t mind a joke even if it is offensive and is just there to have a laugh nothing more. It also shows his humour. In the last scene act 3 scene 1 that Mercutio is in, the mood and atmosphere change completely. At the start of the scene Benvolio is trying to calm Mercutio down as he seems to be in a bit of an irritable mood. I get this from Benvolio s quotation: these are the mad blood stirring Later on in the scene when the Capulets arrive Benvolio is very aware, alert, anxious and worried about their presence, as a soon as he sees them he states by my head here come the Capulets. Mercutio on the other hand is very laid back about their presence and doesn t seem to feel a difference in atmosphere/ambience. He states By my heel, I care not. Comment [W1]: Focus and relevant knowledge Comment [W2]: This could be tied into the discussion of his character. How is it apt? Comment [W3]: Apt inference Comment [W4]: Making well-chosen direct references Comment [W5]: There is some analysis of language choice here Comment [W6]: Close attention to language and style Comment [W7]: Tracks character through the play Comment [W8]: Sees a change in the mood Comment [W9]: Thoughtful contrasting with textual support 3

4 When Romeo arrives on the streets of Verona, Tybalt asks to fight Romeo; however Romeo doesn t intend to fight due to just having married a Capulet. When Romeo refuses to fight Tybalt and walks away, Mercutio states O calm, dishonourable, vile submission. The use of these words show that Mercutio is disgusted and sort of ashamed with Romeo s decision not to fight. Mercutio is important by the fact that if he wasn t in the play, he wouldn t be in this scene, then a fight between Mercutio and Tybalt wouldn t have occurred which was started by Mercutio when he challenged Tybalt for a walk in other words a duel. When Mercutio is stabbed he states a plague on both your houses. This suggests he is very angry with the fact that he was stabbed, because of an argument between both the Capulet family and the Montague family. He repeats this phrase many times throughout the ending and the exclamation marks on the end both emphasise his hatred and anger for the events that have occurred due to the argument between the two families. When Mercutio is asked whats wrong he states a scratch a scratch and also states Ask for me tomorrow and you will find me a grave man. This suggests that he cannot resist a joke even when death is near. I believe that if Mercutio wasn t in the play than the other deaths wouldn t have happened, as I believe Mercutio s death lead to more tragedies occurring. Mercutio s death changed the direction of the play. If Mercutio didn t die than perhaps Romeo would have been able to just leave without anyone hurt and without Tybalt dieing there wouldn t be anyone to want to get revenge at, therefore no more deaths. Comment [W10]: Analysis of language choice Comment [W11]: Sees cause and effect of play's structure Comment [W12]: Some analysis of style but more could be made of the significance of this line to the play's ending Comment [W13]: Appreciates impact on structure AO1: Just into Band 5 There is sustained focus on the task, tracking character across key scenes with pertinent references selected and analysed in support. AO2: High Band 4 There is thoughtful analysis of language choice and discussion of effects of style, plus some appreciation of Mercutio's importance to the play's structure. AO4: 4/5 Overall: This is a sustained and fully engaged response that just gets into Band =21 4

5 'Even though Mercutio dies at the beginning of Act 3, he is very important to the play as a whole.' Show how Mercutio could be described as important to the play as a whole. [25] *5 of this question's marks are allocated for accuracy in spelling, punctuation and the use of vocabulary and sentence structures. Mercutio is a key character in the play Romeo and Juliet. His witty character influences the structure, plot and form of the play. Mercutio, whose first memorable scene is in Act One Scene four persuades Romeo to go to the Capulet ball. He tells Romeo you must dance. This is key to the plot and storyline of the play, as if Romeo didn t go to the ball, he wouldn t have met Juliet, and he would still be in love with Rosaline. Therefore the play would have been completely altered, so Mercutio is very important from the start. Comment [W1]: Sees importance of Mercutio to the structure of the play Another way in that Mercutio is important is that he is an anti-dote to Romeo s love filled and obsessive character. Mercutio is very clear from the Queen Mab speech that he doesn t believe in love: O then I have seen Queen Mab hath been with you Showing that he thinks that love is imaginary. This contrast in opinion balances out the over filled love talk from Romeo. Many people in the audience may not agree with Romeo s view of love and fate and may appreciate the change in opinion to balance the play out, as, if the whole play focused on how love is everything and if you can t find love you will be unhappy, the play would lack wit and would be very onesided and even quite heavy. Comment [W2]: Apt reference to support point made Comment [W3]: Engaged comments with clear focus Mercutio s character loves sexual puns and sometimes crude jokes and we find examples of these on many occasions in the play heran open arse and thou a poperin pear. These lighthearted jokes make the play appeal to everyone, as from an audiences point of view, you will find very different kind of people watching the play and some may enjoy the drama,however others could appreciate the lighter, more jokier moments. Also, in the midst of the drama, Mercutio brings light to situations and brings the humour aspect. Even in his last moments he jokes he s only got A scratch, a scratch despite him being fatally wounded. He also puns Ask for me tomorrow you ll find me a grave man grave meaning serious, but also grave meaning he ll be in a grave, reiterating that he breaks up the heavy drama. Comment [W4]: Probes language choice and effect Comment [W5]: Appreciates layers of meaning 5

6 Mercutio s death is a turning point in the play, as beforehand the play hasn t seen tragedy even though the play is classed as a tragedy. This is until Mercutio s death in act three scene one, where Mercutio dies. This death is the cause of why Romeo kills Tybalt, then why Romeo is banished and then resulting in Paris, Romeo and Juliet eventually dying. You could say Mercutio s death is the start, or a catalyst for the future deaths of the play. Without Mercutio, the other deaths may have been prevented, which is why he is so important as a character. Comment [W6]: Sees cause and effect Another reason to why Mercutio is important is that his imagination is fertile and he is a loquacious person. He is known to trail off and let his imagination run wild, an example is the Queen Mab speech. However Mercutio also lets his emotions and anger get the better of him: O foul, dishonourable, vile submission Speaking of when Romeo surprises Mercutio by deciding to not initially fight Tybalt. He can also be rude for her fans the fairer face. All of these different personality traits add to the play with his childlike imagination, aggression and his wit, he assures the play is suited for everyone. Comment [W7]: Probing different aspects of character To conclude, Mercutio is vital to the plays structure, as without him the play would actually alter significantly. Also he appeals to everyone, from his sexual jokes and puns to his imagination, he brings a lot to the play, which without him would change the play. Despite his final scene only being at the start of act three, his actions contribute to some moments in the rest of the play. Comment [W8]: Sums up ideas AO1: The candidate sustains a clear focus throughout with considerable engagement; the response is supported by relevant quotations. This would receive a mark into Band 4. AO2: There is a clear appreciation of Mercutio's importance to the structure of the play; some thoughtful probing of language choice is offered. This would receive a mark into Band 4. AO4: 4/5 Overall: An assured response, this would be a top Band = 21 6