Exam (elaborations)
A BANK OF ESSAY QUESTIONS ON CORIOLANUS
- Module
- Shakespeare
- Institution
- OCR
A BANK OF ESSAY QUESTIONS ON CORIOLANUS
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A LEVEL ENGLISH LITERATURECoriolanus
‘More a victim of his own arrogance than of political plotting.’ Using your knowledge of the
play as a whole, show how far you agree with this view of the character Coriolanus.
Remember to support your answer with reference to different interpretations.
Discuss Shakespeare’s presentation of different kinds of conflict in the play.
‘Plenty of hatred, not much love.’ How far and in what ways do you agree with this
comment on the play?
‘The female characters are always positioned outside the main events of the play.’ Using
your knowledge of the play as a whole, show how far you agree with this view of women in
Coriolanus. Remember to support your answer with reference to different interpretations.
Extract from Mark Scheme:
Many candidates are likely to express the view that the political and public events of
Coriolanus take place in what is very much ‘a man’s world’ – with Shakespeare arguably
reflecting the nature not just of the Roman era but also of aspects of his own times. It is true
that the play’s male figures dominate nearly all the action of the play. Female characters
(and there are only three of them of any significance) are often presented together - but as
separate from the men, inhabiting a parallel world of interiors and domesticity. The
dynamics of the relationships among the female characters (such as tense
mother-in-law/daughter-in-law interactions) are often as significant as links across the
genders. There are plenty of opportunities for candidates to take a variety of approaches to
the prompt quotation though: although ‘positioned outside’ the play’s main events, the
major female figures of Volumnia and Virgilia occupy key positions as – respectively –
mother and wife of Coriolanus. At the play’s climax Voluminia is arguably for a few moments
the central figure, engineering the hero’s fall. Candidates may choose to argue both that the
hero’s marriage becomes a central symbol of his inner conflict concerning his loyalties to
Rome and also that his intense bond with his mother – together with her dominating and
persuasive personality – puts her in a privileged position from which she is able to influence
the public affairs of the State. Exploration of feminist interpretations of the play would be
fruitful in the context of this question – as would consideration of different interpretations
of characters (most notably Volumnia) in performance.
extract from an examiners report on the above question:
, “In Section 1, part (b), the equally weighted assessment objectives are AO1 and AO5. AO1,
Articulate informed, personal and creative responses to literary texts, using associated
concepts and terminology, and coherent, accurate written expression; and AO5, Explore
literary texts informed by different interpretations. Answers should be creative, informed
and relevant (AO1) and supported with textual reference. The answer is in itself a response
to a critical view, but may make reference to the interpretations of other audiences and
readers (AO5), which may include a discussion of changing critical views of the play over
time, and of both historic and contemporary performances of the play. Many candidates are
likely to express the view that the political and public events of Coriolanus take place in what
is very much ‘a man’s world’ – with Shakespeare arguably reflecting the nature not just of
the Roman era but also of aspects of his own times. It is true that the play’s male figures
dominate nearly all the action of the play. Female characters (and there are only three of
them of any significance) are often presented together - but as separate from the men,
inhabiting a parallel world of interiors and domesticity. The dynamics of the relationships
among the female characters (such as tense mother-in-law/daughter-in-law interactions)
are often as significant as links across the genders. There are plenty of opportunities for
candidates to take a variety of approaches to the prompt quotation though: although
‘positioned outside’ the play’s main events, the major female figures of Volumnia and
Virgilia occupy key positions as – respectively – mother and wife of Coriolanus. At the play’s
climax Voluminia is arguably for a few moments the central figure, engineering the hero’s
fall. Candidates may choose to argue both that the hero’s marriage becomes a central
symbol of his inner conflict concerning his loyalties to Rome and also that his intense bond
with his mother – together with her dominating and persuasive personality – puts her in a
privileged position from which she is able to influence the public affairs of the State.
Exploration of feminist interpretations of the play would be fruitful in the context of this
question – as would consideration of different interpretations of characters (most notably
Volumnia) in performance. This indicative content is intended to indicate aspects of
questions that may feature in candidates’ answers. It is not prescriptive, nor is it exclusive;
examiners must be careful to reward original but well-focused answers and implicit as well
as explicit responses to questions. This guidance should be used in conjunction with the Level
Descriptors Section 1, part (b): Shakespeare.”
‘Loyal protectors of the people.’ How far and in what ways do you agree with this view of
the role of the Tribunes in the play?
‘The most significant confrontation in the play Coriolanus is between the people of Rome
and their patrician masters.’ How far and in what ways do you agree with this view of the
play?
‘Coriolanus respects no man except his deadliest rival Tullus Aufidius.’ How far and in what
ways do you agree with this view of the relationship between Tullus Aufidius and
Coriolanus?
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