The Exam
English Lit: AQA A Level Othello, topic 2.1.2
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
- 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’
- 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
- Use terms like:
- ‘The way in which Shakespeare presents Iago is...’ or,
- ‘Othello is constructed by Shakespeare as being...’.
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
- 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.