The Tempest Lesson 2

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 alerts the reader

Example of writing at Band 5: 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.

Example of writing at Band 6: We know that Claudio is terribly naive and gullible 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 extracts draw the audience into a mysterious world? These extracts immerse the reader into Prospero ’ s world and show us how it feels to live there. Although not all is mysterious, as the familiar relationship between father and daughter is played out in this strange setting. In the first extract, we have a father who possesses an “ art ” capable of creating “ wild waters ” and a sky that might disgorge “ stinking pitch ”. The use of alliteration and assonance here, with the repeated ‘ w ’ sound and the short ‘ I ’ sound, enhance the devastating effect of the storm. We have a vivid description of the scene with “ fraughting souls ” suffering in a “ brave vessel ”. Opening summary establishes agreement with the point made in the question – that it is mysterious – but also challenges it. Appreciation of the effects of language through well-chosen relevant comments and quotations. Uses words with meanings that are linked to those in the title giving added coherence and showing understanding of implications. Coherent analysis of language in relation to question.

Continued: However, in the second extract, the atmosphere is calm and reassuring as the father tries to console his daughter and create an atmosphere for disclosing hitherto unknown information. The mystery continues though, with the father behaving as magician removing his “ magic garment ” and telling his daughter that she “ must now know further ”. The audience now has questions about the people on the boat and the reasons for the magician to harm them, the extent of the powers of the magician, the reason for a father withholding information from his daughter up to this point and a question about where all this could be occurring. Argument developed into coherent analysis of question and the appreciation of technique. 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, Prospero tells Miranda of his fall from power as the Duke of Milan and how his brother, Antonio, betrayed his trust. In these extracts, Prospero is the victim of a plot to undermine his authority. How is the the theme of power corrupting explored? 1. Highlight key statements that offer an opportunity to agree or challenge: - is he a victim? - when is he a victim exactly? - which quotations show this? - does Antonio betray his trust ? - when? - how? - why? - do we see a picture of how power corrupts? - when? what is the message?

In these extracts, Prospero is the victim of a plot to undermine his authority. How is the theme of power corrupting explored? 2. Try to establish which of the 4 areas the question wants you to focus on: – character, theme, language, performance

From Prospero's narrative, we do not get a reason for Antonio ’ s behaviour, so we assume it is prompted by a malevolent jealousy and as such view Prospero as a victim. Prospero ’ s generosity is abused by his brother and his fate leaves us with a very negative picture of Antonio. Antonio does indeed seem to have behaved in a corrupt way and in becoming the current “ Duke of Milan ” ", we can only assume that it was all done in pursuit of power. Uses words with meanings that are linked to those in the title, giving added coherence and showing understanding of implications. In these extracts, Prospero is the victim of a plot to undermine his authority. How is the the theme of power corrupting explored?

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