Lesson 2 Richard III

The language of critical analysis: What words have you used in your homework that are specific to analysing literature? effective emphasises effect on the audience Did you borrow any words or phrases from the model answer on Animal Farm? ironic This shows us

Examples of writing at Band 5 and 6 We already know that he wants to be King badly but when he's asked by Buckingham to be King he says he's unworthy ‘ Being a bark to brook no mighty sea ’ which suggests he's unworthy of the job and the word ‘ bark ’ in this sentence which means a vessel and symbolises Richard's body and himself and the ‘ mighty sea ’ symbolises the troubles faced when becoming King. Band 5

Band 6 We know that Claudio is terribly naive and gullable from the former trick played on him but we can furthermore realise how he can be terribly impressionable. We can see this from the fact that out of Claudio and Don Pedro, Claudio is first to believe the falsehood. He, being the one who should have had more faith in Hero, and known her not to be of the character to do such a thing. I discover that even from the first thing he says in these extracts, ‘ If there be any impediment, I pray you discover it ’ that he even feels towards Hero an uncertain and not entirely trusting emotion.

How do these scenes show us the difference between Richard ’ s public and private face? Treachery is openly stated to us as Richard's prime motivation at the start of the play and his methods, involving a range of different strategies to deal with various characters and the audience, are impressive. Duplicity is taken to the extreme wherever possible for comic and horrific effect. However, what is clear from the outset is Richard's intelligence; he outwits all in his path and in disclosing his plots to us, it makes him compelling to watch. Opening summary establishes agreement with the point made in the question – that Richard has two faces. Uses words with meanings that are linked to those in the title giving added coherence and showing understanding of implications.

Continued In the first extract, Richard is direct. He speaks in a confident way, declaring his intentions and opinions, ‘ I am determined ’, ‘ and hate the idle pleasures of these days ’. He is not afraid of our condemnation and flaunts the extent of his dishonesty, which is such that on ‘ this day should Clarence closely be mew'd up ’ – proving to us that he has no loyalty or decency even to his own brother. Having witnessed Richard's self- confession of himself as evil, we are immediately confronted with an example as he proves how accomplished a liar he is in public with ‘ Why, this it is, when men are ruled by women ’. This shows us that he is successful at maintaining a public and private face, winning all who listen to him over to his side. Appreciation of the effects of language through well- chosen relevant comments and quotations. Argument developed into coherent analysis of question and the characterisation of Richard. Coherent analysis of abuse of power in relation to question. Argument is developed with move between extracts.

Comparing the model with your homework, identify 3 personal targets for your next piece of analytical writing:

The reading skills that are assessed in the Shakespeare Paper are:  your ability to understand a question and select relevant material to suit your answer to it  your appreciation of how the language of the text informs your analysis of the question  your ability to construct an appropriate argument and develop your points in a coherent way  your understanding of character, theme, language or performance in relation to the extract

Understanding a question: In this scene, Richard manages to flirt successfully with his dead brother's widow, despite the fact that she knows he is responsible for his death: In these extracts, Richard is a proficient performer. How could he charm both Anne and the audience from the stage? 1. Highlight key statements that offer an opportunity to agree or challenge - Is he a proficient performer? - Where is he proficient exactly? - Which quotations show this? - Does he charm Anne? When? How? Why? - Does he charm the audience?

In these extracts, Richard is a proficient performer. How could he charm both Anne and the audience from the stage? 2. Try to establish which of the 4 areas the question wants you to focus on: - character, theme, language, performance?

In these extracts, Richard is a proficient performer. How could he charm both Anne and the audience from the stage? In these extracts, Richard reveals his true power as an actor. Although disfigured and disabled, his energy in the scene is mesmerising for both Anne and the audience to watch. Uses words with meanings that are linked to those in the title giving added coherence and showing understanding of implications.

Recap: What is the Shakespeare paper about? How do you gain marks in it? What do you do when you first see the question?