AQA A Level English Literature A Paper 1: Love through the ages June 2017 question paper 7712/1

Othello – William Shakespeare

‘As lovers, Othello and Desdemona either worship or despise one another. There is no middle ground.’

In the light of this view, discuss how Shakespeare presents Othello’s and Desdemona’s attitudes towards one another in this extract and elsewhere in the play.

The Taming of the Shrew – William Shakespeare

‘In the literature of love, the more a husband tries to demonstrate power and control, the more he appears powerless and foolish.’

In the light of this view, discuss how Shakespeare presents Petruchio in this extract and elsewhere in the play.

Measure for Measure – William Shakespeare

‘The literature of love tends to present women as selfless and compassionate.’

In the light of this view, discuss how Shakespeare presents women in this extract and elsewhere in the play.

The Winter’s Tale – William Shakespeare

‘Happy endings in the literature of love depend on problems being resolved and characters getting what they deserve.’

In the light of this view, discuss how Shakespeare presents Paulina’s role in this extract and elsewhere in the play.

It has been said that Dyer’s poem is “a simple poem of grief and devotion” whereas Dunn’s is about “the complexity of conflicting emotions”.

Compare and contrast the presentation of love in the following poems in the light of this comment.

Compare how the authors of two texts you have studied present aspects of desire.

You must write about at least two poems in your answer as well as a prose text you have studied.

Compare how the authors of two texts you have studied present ideas about romantic commitment.

You must write about at least two poems in your answer as well as a prose text you have studied.