Much Ado About Nothing Lesson 1

Comedy The genre:The story: cuckold masque return from death disdain social critique wit overheard conversation villain plot sub plot euphuism codes of conduct A man lives in Messina, Italy with his family…

Band 5: Clear focus on the question and use of relevant quotations from both extracts. Clear understanding of how characters use language in both extracts. Creates an argument with well-chosen reference to the text to justify comments.

Band 6: Coherent analysis of the text in relation to the question. Appreciation of the effects of features of language in both extracts. Creates a well-developed argument with comments and precisely selected references to the text integrated appropriately.

Both bands require:  integrated quotations  ongoing links to both extracts  sentences that make a point, embed a quotation and explore implications relevant to the question in detail  creation of an argument – a chain of linked points that respond to the question with a point of view that might be maintained or reconsidered if appropriate

How do these 2 extracts present the character of Elizabeth Bennett trying to come to terms with her feelings? Extract 1: She was resolved against any sort of conversation with him, and turned away with a degree of ill humour, which she could not wholly surmount even in speaking to Mr Bingley, whose blind partiality provoked her … She danced next with an officer, and had the refreshment of talking of Wickham, and of hearing that he was universally liked. When those dances were over she returned to Charlotte Lucas, and was in conversation with her, when she found herself suddenly addressed by Mr Darcy, who took her so much by surprise in his application for her hand, that, without knowing what she did she accepted him. He walked away again immediately, and she was left to fret over her own want of presence of mind; Charlotte tried to console her. “ I dare say you will find him very agreeable. ” “ Heaven forbid! – That would be the greatest misfortune of all! – To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate! – Do not wish me such an evil. ”

Extract 2: As for Elizabeth, her thoughts were at Pemberley this evening more than the last; and the evening, though as it passes it seemed long, was not long enough to determine her feelings towards one in that mansion; and she lay awake two whole hours, endeavouring to make them out. She certainly did not hate him. No; hatred had vanished long ago, and she had almost as long been ashamed of ever feeling a dislike against him, that could be so called. The respect created by the conviction of his valuable qualities, though at first unwillingly admitted, had for some time ceased to be repugnant to her feelings; and it was now heightened into somewhat of a friendlier nature, by the testimony so highly in his favour, and bringing forward his disposition in so amiable a light, which yesterday had produced.

Elizabeth Bennett is trying to make sense of her emotions concerning Darcy in these extracts from the novel. She is attempting to keep her perspective in line with her position in society and her sense of justice for all her friends and family, who she cares about deeply. Her feelings towards Darcy are very much locked into this social construct and she struggles against acknowledging her instincts. In the first extract, Elizabeth is so determined to hate Darcy for the slight she perceives him to have made that she wishes “ no conversation of any sort with him. ” When she ends up dancing with him, though, it is the fact that her resolve is compromised rather than her not wanting to be near him that she finds alarming, “ That would be the greatest misfortune of all! – To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate! ”. The reader is aware here that in her protests, the leading character is probably revealing her inner feelings of love for Darcy at the same time as showing her own traits of wilfulness and obstinacy. Opening summary establishes agreement with the point made in the question – that Elizabeth is struggling to manage her emotions. Uses words with meanings that are linked to those in the title giving added coherence and showing understanding of implications. Coherent analysis of feelings relation to question. Argument developed with wide range of references. How do these 2 extracts present the character of Elizabeth Bennett as struggling to come to terms with her feelings?

Continued The second extract presents us with Elizabeth Bennett later in the novel and again, the two meet, leaving Elizabeth “ endeavouring ” to make out her feelings for Darcy. The language used to describe her feelings, such as “ one in that mansion ”, “ lay awake two hours ”, alert us to the personal drama occurring for her as she acknowledges his “ valuable qualities ” brought forward in such an “ amiable light ”. Elizabeth, like the reader, knows that Darcy is the man for her, but she, locked in the era of strict social class and reputation, finds it traumatic to give in to her feelings. Appreciation of the effects of language through well- chosen relevant comments and quotations. Argument developed into coherent analysis of question and the characterisation of Elizabeth. Argument is developed with move between extracts.

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

The Shakespeare Paper does not assess:  your understanding of the whole play or all of the extracts  your version of what happens  quantity of quotations  your opinion of the play

Homework: Use the 2 extracts from the play to respond to the question:2 extracts How do these extracts use traditional features of comedy in drama?