‘Romeo and Juliet’ Revision Guide 2010-2011 Mr. Dunford Exam 2445/01(Foundation), 2445/02(Higher)—Drama Pre-1914

What you will have to do? Literature Paper 45 Minutes Extract Based 30 Marks Question about ‘engagement, interest, drama, comedy, how a scene is striking, character’ Analytical Written Response (PEAL)

What am I being marked on? Assessing a range of techniques used by the author Make reference to the techniques used Supporting points and analysis with textual evidence Showing a focussed response that links back to the question Show awareness of the text as a whole Show awareness of context SUSTAINED RESPONSE

Are there any example questions? Some past questions Explore the ways in which Shakespeare makes this such a gripping moment in the play. How does Shakespeare make this such a powerful moment in the play? Explore some of the ways in which Shakespeare makes this such a dramatic and significant moment in the play. How does Shakespeare vividly present the characters of Romeo, Mercutio and Tybalt at this moment in the play? How does Shakespeare vividly create Juliet’s thoughts and feelings here? Explore some of the ways in which Shakespeare makes this such a dramatic moment in the play. Explore some of the ways in which Shakespeare makes this such a significant and entertaining moment in the play? Explore some of the ways in which Shakespeare makes this both a humorous and dramatic moment in the play. How does Shakespeare make us sympathize with Juliet at this moment in the play?

What techniques does Shakespeare use the most? Light and Dark Imagery The use of prose (lower class) and blank verse and iambic pentameter (upper class/nobles) Sexual Puns Juxtaposition of comical scenes and scenes with tension/death/violence Emotive Language Soliloquy Imagery, Personification, Oxymorons, Metaphors, Similes Premonitions, Foreboding, Foreshadowing Use of pathetic fallacy and setting Sonnet Sounds (alliteration, sibilance, assonance, rhyme) The Manipulation of Pace—Punctuation and Enjambment, caesura Rhyming Couplets

What are the themes? The Forcefulness of Love Love as a Cause of Violence The Individual versus Society The Inevitability of Fate

What do I have know about the context? Social Class Elizabethan England—the Power of the play and its ability to unite different people It’s a play—assess presentational features The important of fate The ingredients of a tragedy

Are there any hints to answering the question? You can always refer back to the Prologue. You can almost always refer to the use of dramatic irony. Assess a range of techniques You can assess presentational skills

How should I revise? Read the text again Do past exam questions—OCR Review you notes Review/Revise/memorise the language and structural techniques and HOW they create an effect. Make note cards of these. Practise annotating sections of a text for the use of techniques. Read study guides (Sparknotes, Cliff’s notes, York notes) Watch the movies Review themes and they connect with the characters