AQA A Level English Literature A Paper 1: Love through the ages June 2019 question paper 7712/1

Othello – William Shakespeare

‘Brabantio’s role as Desdemona’s father and Roderigo’s role as her suitor suggest that they both love Desdemona. However, all that drives them is possessiveness, jealousy and pride.’

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

The Taming of the Shrew – William Shakespeare

‘ The Taming of the Shrew is a cruel comedy of bullying and coercion.’

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

Measure for Measure – William Shakespeare

‘In the literature of love, deception and trickery often demean and devalue relationships that should be based on honesty.’

In the light of this view, discuss how Shakespeare presents the collaboration between Isabella and the Duke in this extract and elsewhere in the play.

The Winter’s Tale – William Shakespeare

‘In literature, love is felt most profoundly at times of pain and loss.’

In the light of this view, discuss how far Shakespeare presents pain and loss as inevitable aspects of love in this extract and elsewhere in the play.

Both of the following poems are about the authors’ experiences of childbirth and motherhood.

‘Lorde’s poem celebrates being a mother, whereas Stevenson’s does not.’

In the light of this view, compare and contrast how love is presented in these two poems.

Compare how the authors of two texts you have studied present ideas about how time affects love relationships.

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

‘In literature, lovers often come into conflict with the conventions of society.’

In the light of this comment, compare how lovers and the societies they live in are presented in two texts you have studied.

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