2.1.2

The Exam

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Writing your Answer

When it comes to writing about plays, it is always productive to write about the sequences that you find particularly memorable or important.

Writing about plays

Writing about plays

  • When it comes to writing about plays, it is always productive to write about the sequences that you find particularly memorable or important.
  • These are usually where the most dramatic, important or climactic moments are in a drama.
  • It is obviously useful for you to know such scenes well as you are likely to draw on those for your answers in the examination.
‘Constructions only’

‘Constructions only’

  • It is crucial to see the characters of plays as being ‘constructions only’.
  • You should never write about them as if they are living and breathing people.
  • Always consider them as being ‘presented’ or ‘constructed’ by the author.
Phrases

Phrases

  • Use terms like:
    • ‘The way in which Shakespeare presents Iago is...’ or,
    • ‘Othello is constructed by Shakespeare as being...’.
Dramatic constructions

Dramatic constructions

  • If you can, try to avoid thinking of the characters as representations of people in Shakespeare’s own life.
  • They are, at the end of the day, dramatic constructions only.
  • They may be realistic and convincing but you need to say why this is so, and why the play is successful.
Critical distance

Critical distance

  • Also avoid heaping too much praise upon an author for their brilliance (especially someone like William Shakespeare).
  • It is better to maintain a respectful critical distance.
Jump to other topics
1

Context

1.1

Introduction

1.1.1Specifications
1.2

Background

1.2.1Shakespeare1.2.2Love1.2.3Tragedy1.2.4Historical Context
1.3

Othello

1.3.1Setting1.3.2Social Issues
2

Act One: Summaries & Themes

2.1

Act and Scene Summaries

2.1.1Structure2.1.2The Exam
2.2

Scene One

2.2.1Key Events2.2.2Key Themes2.2.3Key Ideas
2.3

Scene Two

2.3.1Key Events2.3.2Key Themes2.3.3Key Ideas
2.4

Scene Three

2.4.1Key Events2.4.2Key Events 22.4.3Key Themes2.4.4Key Ideas
3

Act Two: Summaries & Themes

3.1

Scene One & Two

3.1.1Scene One: Events3.1.2Key Events 23.1.3Key Ideas: Love & Tragedy3.1.4Scene Two: Events
3.2

Scene Three

3.2.1Key Events3.2.2Key Ideas
4

Act Three: Summaries & Themes

4.1

Key Events

4.1.1Scene One & Two4.1.2Scene Three4.1.3Scene Three: Key Ideas4.1.4Scene Four
5

Act Four

5.1

Scene One

5.1.1Key Events5.1.2Key Ideas
5.2

Scene Two

5.2.1Key Events5.2.2Key Ideas
5.3

Scene Three

5.3.1Key Events5.3.2Key Ideas
6

Act Five

6.1

Scene One

6.1.1Key Events6.1.2Key Ideas
6.2

Scene Two

6.2.1Key Events6.2.2Key Ideas
7

Character Profiles

7.1

Major Characters

7.1.1Othello7.1.2Iago7.1.3Desdemona7.1.4Emilia7.1.5Cassio
7.2

Minor Characters

7.2.1Roderigo & Brabantio7.2.2Other Characters
8

Key Themes

8.1

Love & Tragedy

8.1.1Love8.1.2Love 28.1.3Tragedy8.1.4Tragedy 2
8.2

Other Key Themes

8.2.1Public versus Private8.2.2Appearance & Reality
9

Writing Techniques

9.1

Writing Techniques

9.1.1Structure9.1.2Genre9.1.3Form & Language9.1.4Language & Imagery
10

Critical Debates

10.1

Criticism & Performance

10.1.1Shakespeare's Legacy10.1.2Traditional10.1.3Modern & Contemporary
10.2

Approaches

10.2.1Feminist Approach10.2.2Psychoanalytic Approach10.2.3Marxist Approach
11

Approaching AQA English Literature

11.1

Specification A

11.1.1Specification A11.1.2Love Through the Ages
11.2

Specification B

11.2.1Specification B11.2.2Aspects of Tragedy
12

Issues of Assessment

12.1

The Exams

12.1.1AOs12.1.2Mark Scheme

Practice questions on The Exam

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Structure

Key Events