NAB Trial Run Sadistic Shakespeare Style!

Sorry! Okay, that was pretty evil of me. Okay, that was pretty evil of me. In the real NAB you will only get 1 poem but the questions will still equate to 30 marks. In the real NAB you will only get 1 poem but the questions will still equate to 30 marks. Think of it this way – you don’t even have to do well in this NAB, you just have to pass. Think of it this way – you don’t even have to do well in this NAB, you just have to pass.

And Now to the Answers… These answers are not always the definitive one and there is room for error. These answers are not always the definitive one and there is room for error. I am happy to debate possible responses but as always judge’s call is final so if I say no to whatever you’ve written – shut up and put up! I am happy to debate possible responses but as always judge’s call is final so if I say no to whatever you’ve written – shut up and put up!

Sonnet 127 “In the old age black was not counted fair…” Total marks for this section - 12

Question 1 Read lines 1-4. Explain how “black” was seen in the old age and how it is seen now.2 marks Read lines 1-4. Explain how “black” was seen in the old age and how it is seen now.2 marks It was not seen as appealing. It was not seen as appealing. It is now favourable and second in line when it comes to beauty – i.e. still not the most beautiful thing but quite attractive It is now favourable and second in line when it comes to beauty – i.e. still not the most beautiful thing but quite attractive

Question 2 What effect does the poet’s use of alliteration have in line 6? 1 marks What effect does the poet’s use of alliteration have in line 6? 1 marks “Fairing the foul with art’s false borrow face.” “Fairing the foul with art’s false borrow face.” Alliteration – emphasises his disgust that black is not as favoured as these others. Repetition of “f” sounds almost like spitting or hissing. Alliteration – emphasises his disgust that black is not as favoured as these others. Repetition of “f” sounds almost like spitting or hissing.

Question 3 How does the poet’s use word choice to show how “sweet beauty” has been shunned by others in line 8?2 marks How does the poet’s use word choice to show how “sweet beauty” has been shunned by others in line 8?2 marks EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING: EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING: “profaned” – goes against religion or holy belief, sacrilege – makes it seem as if “sweet beauty” is something wicked or unholy. “profaned” – goes against religion or holy belief, sacrilege – makes it seem as if “sweet beauty” is something wicked or unholy. “disgrace” – shameful, guilty – seems as if “sweet beauty” is something that is not worthy of respect and is looked down on. “disgrace” – shameful, guilty – seems as if “sweet beauty” is something that is not worthy of respect and is looked down on.

Question 4 Show how the poet’s use of imagery in lines 9 and 10 highlights how his love is not a typical beauty. 2 marks Show how the poet’s use of imagery in lines 9 and 10 highlights how his love is not a typical beauty. 2 marks “my mistress’ eyes are raven black” “my mistress’ eyes are raven black” Metaphor – comparing the colour of her eyes to that of a dark-coloured bird Metaphor – comparing the colour of her eyes to that of a dark-coloured bird Just as a raven is entirely black and carries connotations of wickedness or darkness, so to do his lover’s eyes. Just as a raven is entirely black and carries connotations of wickedness or darkness, so to do his lover’s eyes. Show she is not typically beautiful as normally he should compare eyes to something pretty or delicate, not something that could peck eyes out. Show she is not typically beautiful as normally he should compare eyes to something pretty or delicate, not something that could peck eyes out.

Question 5 Explain the poet’s use of word choice with “false esteem”.2 marks Explain the poet’s use of word choice with “false esteem”.2 marks “false esteem” – suggests an overconfidence or cocky attitude “false esteem” – suggests an overconfidence or cocky attitude This shows that typically beautiful people are filled with pride and are self-assured when really they have no right to be. This shows that typically beautiful people are filled with pride and are self-assured when really they have no right to be.

Question 6 How does the poet create a contrast to the rest of the poem in lines 13 and 14 and how effective is this as a conclusion?3 marks How does the poet create a contrast to the rest of the poem in lines 13 and 14 and how effective is this as a conclusion?3 marks After showing how his love is not typically beautiful – “my mistress’ eyes are raven black” – and highlighting how others feel about the kind of beauty his lover has – “now is black beauty’s successive heir” – Shakespeare now highlights that everyone should wish they looked like her. By stating that “every tongue says beauty should look so” he shows that to him she is beautiful and one day the rest of the world will see this. This creates contrast as he spent so much of the poem pointing out the way others see her and now he is describing how he sees her. This is an effective conclusion as it lets us see how the poet truly feels and highlights that what others think of her does not matter to him. After showing how his love is not typically beautiful – “my mistress’ eyes are raven black” – and highlighting how others feel about the kind of beauty his lover has – “now is black beauty’s successive heir” – Shakespeare now highlights that everyone should wish they looked like her. By stating that “every tongue says beauty should look so” he shows that to him she is beautiful and one day the rest of the world will see this. This creates contrast as he spent so much of the poem pointing out the way others see her and now he is describing how he sees her. This is an effective conclusion as it lets us see how the poet truly feels and highlights that what others think of her does not matter to him.

Sonnet 130 “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun…” Total marks for this section - 10

Question 7 Comment on the poet’s use of imagery in the opening line. 2 marks Comment on the poet’s use of imagery in the opening line. 2 marks “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun” – simile “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun” – simile He is trying not to compare her eyes to something very beautiful. He is trying not to compare her eyes to something very beautiful. While the sun is very beautiful and watching it rise or set is a real spectacle, his lover’s eyes are not. Furthermore, the sun is very bright, so this means her eyes are very dark. While the sun is very beautiful and watching it rise or set is a real spectacle, his lover’s eyes are not. Furthermore, the sun is very bright, so this means her eyes are very dark. Using this image, Shakespeare tries to show us what her eyes are the opposite of, rather than what they are like, suggesting that she is not a traditional beauty. Using this image, Shakespeare tries to show us what her eyes are the opposite of, rather than what they are like, suggesting that she is not a traditional beauty.

Question 8 Show how the poet uses word choice in lines 2-4 to highlight the flaws in his lover’s appearance.4 marks Show how the poet uses word choice in lines 2-4 to highlight the flaws in his lover’s appearance.4 marks MUST INCLUDE BOTH FOR FULL MARKS: MUST INCLUDE BOTH FOR FULL MARKS: “breasts are dun” – “dun” suggests they are dull and not the colour of freshly fallen snow – imperfect. “breasts are dun” – “dun” suggests they are dull and not the colour of freshly fallen snow – imperfect. “black wires” – suggests her hair is frizzy and not smooth or straight. Also creates an inhuman feel to her appearance. She appears more like something artificial. “black wires” – suggests her hair is frizzy and not smooth or straight. Also creates an inhuman feel to her appearance. She appears more like something artificial.

Question 9 What issues does the poet have with the way his lover talks and walks in lines 9-12? 2 marks What issues does the poet have with the way his lover talks and walks in lines 9-12? 2 marks Whilst he enjoys listening to her, there are nicer things to be heard. Whilst he enjoys listening to her, there are nicer things to be heard. She does not float like some ethereal creature but instead walks like any other woman. She does not float like some ethereal creature but instead walks like any other woman.

Question 10 How does the poet show a change of opinion in the closing lines of the poem? 2 marks How does the poet show a change of opinion in the closing lines of the poem? 2 marks Up until now he has been showing how his lover is not an outstanding beauty – “no such roses see I in her cheeks” – but now he states that she is still beautiful and unique to him – “I think my love as rare,/ as any…”. Up until now he has been showing how his lover is not an outstanding beauty – “no such roses see I in her cheeks” – but now he states that she is still beautiful and unique to him – “I think my love as rare,/ as any…”.

Sonnet 132 “Thine eyes I love, and they, as pitying me…” Total marks for this section – 8

Question 11 Show how the poet’s use of word choice portrays his lady as a cruel mistress. 4 marks Show how the poet’s use of word choice portrays his lady as a cruel mistress. 4 marks MUST INCLUDE BOTH: MUST INCLUDE BOTH: “torments” – cruel or torturous – suggests that she gives him a very hard time without much reprieve. “torments” – cruel or torturous – suggests that she gives him a very hard time without much reprieve. “disdain” – looking down on someone – suggests she does not fully respect him and looks on him as if she is above him. “disdain” – looking down on someone – suggests she does not fully respect him and looks on him as if she is above him.

Question 12 What does the poet’s use of pun tell us about his lover’s eyes in lines 5-9? 1 mark What does the poet’s use of pun tell us about his lover’s eyes in lines 5-9? 1 mark Pun = “morning” and “mourning” Pun = “morning” and “mourning” Suggests her eyes are not bright like morning but are sad and filled with sorrow as someone in “mourning” would be. Words sound very similar and Shakespeare is using them to create contrast and demonstrate his wit. Suggests her eyes are not bright like morning but are sad and filled with sorrow as someone in “mourning” would be. Words sound very similar and Shakespeare is using them to create contrast and demonstrate his wit.

Question 13 What tone is created throughout this sonnet?1 mark What tone is created throughout this sonnet?1 mark Pained/Sorrowful/Feeling sorry for himself…anything along those lines Pained/Sorrowful/Feeling sorry for himself…anything along those lines

Question 14 Show how the poet creates this tone in lines marks Show how the poet creates this tone in lines marks “mourn for me” – he feels as if she has killed him with her lack of care and love for him. Use of hyperbole highlights his despair and overwhelming feelings of pain and sorrow “mourn for me” – he feels as if she has killed him with her lack of care and love for him. Use of hyperbole highlights his despair and overwhelming feelings of pain and sorrow

Question 15 What conclusion does the poet come to in lines 13 and 14?2 marks What conclusion does the poet come to in lines 13 and 14?2 marks He promises to consider that real attractiveness is represented by his lover. He promises to consider that real attractiveness is represented by his lover. He will consider anything else to be ugly. He will consider anything else to be ugly.