Tackling Exam Questions Romeo and Juliet Tackling Exam Questions

3. The character of Juliet 2. The character of Romeo 1. The plot! 4. The character of Mercutio Romeo and Juliet: What Do We Know? 9. Theme of inevitability of fate 5. The character of The Nurse 8. Theme of love and hate; love overcoming hate 7. The character of Tybalt 6. The character of Friar Laurence

Notes You need to know the full plot-line of the story inside and out before you can even think of marking well on a Studied Drama Question. No matter what particular question is asked you will always have examples to draw on if you know the text well. However, if you think a summary answer will get you any more than a high D grade, you are fooling yourself. The plot is the starting point from which you much discuss, examine and analyse the novel.

analysing Numbers 2 – 9 in ‘What Do We Know’ is what you need to bring in to your answers in order to get a high grade. Instead of summarising the story or a particular scene ask yourself the following types of questions: What you learned about particular characters and what you thought about them? (Who: Romeo, Juliet, The Nurse etc.) What particular characters (Who: Romeo, Juliet, Tybalt etc.) taught you about the theme? (What: Love and Hate; Inevitability of Fate Did you enjoy the play because it was interesting or gripping or complex? (In what way: Complex characters? Complex themes? Exciting opening? Shocking ending?) Did you enjoy the plot because you learned something from it? (I learned: Something about love and hate? Something about fate? Did you learn something from particular characters and how they dealt with situations?) Etc. etc.

2015 Exam Question 1 1. Choose a character from a play you have studied who experiences a significant problem or difficulty. Identify the problem or difficulty your chosen character experiences and describe a moment in the play when that problem or difficulty is particularly apparent. (15) (b) Imagine you are an actor playing the part of your chosen character. Outline two things you would do, when performing the moment described above, to represent the character’s predicament to an audience. Give reasons for your suggestions supporting them with reference to the moment you described in part (a) of this question. (15)

How do I answer question A? Choose one of your main characters (Romeo or Juliet) The significant problem they face is the same – they have fallen in love and secretly married their families’ ‘loathed enemy’. Choose a moment in the play that shows the character in a very difficult moment as a result of their above problem. This moment will obviously change depending on whether you have picked Romeo or Juliet. There is no one right moment, if you know the play well you will have a choice of potential moments. Be sure to explain why the moment is particularly difficult and how you can see that it is difficult for the character – otherwise it will just be a straight summary.

Paragraph Topics / Lead Sentences: Question A Paragraph Topics / Lead Sentences: What Notes to Use: 1. Juliet is a character who faces a huge difficulty in the play. She falls in love and secretly marries Romeo, the son of her family’s enemy … Use your knowledge of plot to explain difficulty Use character notes on Juliet 2. A moment in the play that I feel really shows this problem at work is in Act 4 Scene III. Before this Juliet has been abandoned by everyone important in her life … Explain the run up to Act 4 Scene III (Romeo’s banishment, planned wedding to Paris, the Nurse’s advice) Use knowledge of the scene 3. Romeo and Juliet’s love is clearly struggling to survive in a world filled with hate and she is left alone to decide if she should drink the potion … Use your theme notes on love and hate and love overcoming hate

How do I answer question b? Whichever character you have chosen, in this question you have to show an excellent understanding of the character and what they are going through at this moment. Explain clearly what is happening with the character here and what they are feeling before deciding how you would represent their predicament to the audience. Once you have explained what they are going through, it will be easier to explain how you would show that or act it for an audience. Remember, even though this question obviously wants you to show how you would act/stage this moment, it is up to you to use the question to show off what you know about the character.

Paragraph Topics / Lead Sentences: Question b Paragraph Topics / Lead Sentences: What Notes to Use: 1. I would really enjoy the opportunity to play Juliet in this scene. Although she is mature beyond her years, in this scene she is isolated and anxious. I would show how difficult it is for her to say a last goodbye … Use your character notes on Juliet Use knowledge of the scene 2. Juliet expressing her many fears about the potion is a great opportunity for an actress and I would highlight her terror by … Explain what you would do Explain what you are trying to show 3. Finally, I would show the audience the change in her attitude once she has made the decision to drink the potion …

2015 Exam Question 2 2. The way in which a play is staged can help an audience to understand an important theme in that play. Identify one important theme in a play you have studied and outline the importance of that theme in your chosen play. (15) (b) Imagine you are directing this play. You wish to highlight the theme you have identified in part (a) of this question. Choose a moment in the play when this theme is particularly evident. Explain how you would use any two dramatic techniques, in staging your chosen moment, to help an audience to understand the theme. (15)

Paragraph Topics / Lead Sentences: (a) Important theme Paragraph Topics / Lead Sentences: What Notes to Use: 1. Love versus hate is an important theme in the play that I have studied. Romeo and Juliet and their devotion for each other embody the theme of love … Use your theme notes on love and hate (focus on love) Use character notes on Romeo and Juliet 2. However, throughout the play there is a constant conflict between the love of the Romeo and Juliet and the hate that surrounds them … Use your theme notes on love and hate (focus on hate) Use character notes on Tybalt 3. Though the hate and conflict in Verona makes it impossible for the lovers to survive, Shakespeare ultimately shows love overcoming hate as their deaths finally end the feud … Use your theme notes on love and hate

How do I answer question b? In question A you discussed three elements of the theme: The love Romeo and Juliet share The hate that surrounds them Love overcoming hate in the end In question B you need to pick a moment to highlight the theme so you’re first step is deciding what part of the theme am I trying to highlight? Do you want a scene showing: Romeo and Juliet’s love (The first time they meet? The balcony scene? The second balcony scene?) The hate in Verona (The opening scene? Act 3 Scene I?) Love overcoming hate (The final scene)

(b) Moment in the play to highlight theme Paragraph Topics / Lead Sentences: What Notes to Use: 1. I have chosen Act Three Scene I in the play to highlight the world of feuding and hostility that makes it impossible for Romeo and Juliet’s love to thrive … Use your theme notes on love and hate Give intro to the scene State what two techniques you will use 5. I would use costumes to highlight the difference between the two sides of the feud … Use your character notes on Romeo, Tybalt and Mercutio Be specific about what you would do and what you are trying to show 6. I would also use lighting to emphasise the dramatic tension between the Capulet and Montague side in this scene … Use your knowledge of the scene

2014 Exam Question 1 (a) Explain how two characters from a play you have studied are different from each other in their attitudes and in the ways that they behave. Support your answer with reference to your chosen play. (15) (b) In your view how does the playwright's use of contrasting characters help to make the play more interesting? Support your answer with reference to your chosen play. (15)

How do I answer question a? You want to choose two characters that both have key moments in the play and are as different from each other as possible. This will make it easier to answer the question. For example, Romeo and Juliet are very different in their personalities but they also have many similarities – they are both in love with each other, they are both willing to risk their lives for this love, they are both essentially good-hearted people. The question asks for two people who are different in their attitudes and behaviour so you need to get more difference than exists between Romeo and Juliet. The character at the opposite end of the scale to both Romeo and Juliet is Tybalt.

(a) Different characters Paragraph Topics / Lead Sentences: What Notes to Use: 1. Two characters in this play that are very different to each other are Romeo and Tybalt. While Romeo is a romantic, obsessed with love, Tybalt is totally preoccupied with hate … Use character notes on Romeo and Tybalt 2. The first time we meet Romeo and Tybalt we get a clear idea of their attitudes and personality … Use knowledge of the key scenes 3. In Act Three Scene I we finally see these two very different characters confront each other, and their difference in attitudes is very clear … Use your character notes on Romeo and Tybalt Use your knowledge of the scene

(B) MAKE THE PLAY INTERESTING Paragraph Topics / Lead Sentences: What Notes to Use: 1. I thought these two different characters made the play far more interesting because they embodied the theme of love and hate and brought it to life. Romeo shows how love can overcome hatred … Use theme notes on love and hate (focus on love) Use character notes on Romeo 2. I learned that in spite of Romeo’s great love, it is very difficult to overcome the hatred that surrounds him and Juliet. This violence and hostility is represented by Tybalt … Use theme notes on love and hate (focus on hate) Use character notes on Tybalt 3. I also found it very interesting how the conflict between these two sides – love and hate, created a turning point and had major consequences for the rest of the play … Use knowledge of the play to discuss consequences Use theme notes on love and hate

2014 Exam Question 2 2. Choose a moment from a play you have studied that is, in your view, a dramatic turning point in that play. Describe what happens at this moment and explain why you consider it to be a dramatic turning point. Support your answer with reference to your chosen play. (15) (b) In your view how does the moment you have chosen help you to understand either an important theme in the play or an important character in the play? Explain your answer with reference to your chosen play. (15)

2014 EXAM QUESTION 2 How do we tackle the question? We need a dramatic moment in the play which is also a turning point, which we can also argue in (b) taught us something about a theme or character. There are only 2 scenes that fit in with all three of these requirements: Act Three Scene I Act Five Scene III

2014 EXAM QUESTION 2 Act Three Scene I: Obvious drama (deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt) Obvious turning point (from this point on Romeo is banished; Juliet’s marriage to Paris is brought forward to deal with the grief of Tybalt’s death) Teaches us about the theme of love versus hate Teaches us about the characters Romeo and Tybalt. Act Five Scene III: Obvious drama (deaths of Romeo and Juliet; reconciliation of Capulet and Montague) Obvious turning point (from this point on the feud in Verona is over) Teaches us about the theme of love overcoming hate

(B) DRAMATIC TURNING POINT Paragraph Topics / Lead Sentences: What Notes to Use: 1. The scene I have chosen which is a dramatic turning point in the play is Act Three Scene I … Use knowledge of the play to give brief background Explain when the dramatic turning point comes 2. In this scene Romeo’s happiness is short-lived when he is forced to confront his new cousin Tybalt, who is desperate for conflict … Use knowledge of the scene Use character notes on Romeo and Tybalt Quotes are essential 3. The shocking moment of Tybalt’s death is a clear turning point in the play as Romeo and Juliet will both have to deal with the consequences … Explain how this is a turning point – what are the consequences?

Paragraph Topics / Lead Sentences: (B) IMPORTANT THEME Paragraph Topics / Lead Sentences: What Notes to Use: 1. Act Three Scene I really brought to life for me the theme of love versus hate. There is a constant conflict between love and hate in the play and Romeo embodies love … Use theme notes on love and hate (focus on love) Show how Romeo embodies love in this particular scene 2. However, in spite of Romeo’s positivity, it is very difficult to overcome the hatred that surrounds him and Juliet. This violence and hostility is represented by Tybalt and can be clearly seen in Act Three Scene I … Use theme notes on love and hate (focus on hate) Show how Tybalt embodies hate in this particular scene 3. At the start of the scene Romeo is on a high, fresh from his wedding but by the end of the scene there are drastic consequences for both himself and Juliet, highlighting how difficult it is for their love to survive in a world of hate … Use knowledge of the play to discuss consequences Use theme notes on love and hate