AQA GCSE English Literature Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel June 2023 question paper 8702/1

Macbeth

Read the following extract from Act 5 Scene 3 of Macbeth and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Macbeth hears that the English army is approaching and asks the Doctor for a report about Lady Macbeth.

Starting with this conversation, explore how far Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a male character who changes during the play.

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents Macbeth in this conversation

• how far Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a male character who changes in the play as a whole.

Romeo and Juliet

Read the following extract from Act 3 Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Juliet reacts to the news that Romeo has killed her cousin Tybalt and so has been banished from Verona.

Starting with this speech, explore how Shakespeare presents Juliet’s feelings towards Romeo in Romeo and Juliet.

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents Juliet’s feelings towards Romeo in this speech

• how Shakespeare presents Juliet’s feelings towards Romeo in the play as a whole.

The Tempest

Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 2 of The Tempest and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Ariel has completed various tasks for Prospero and there is now some disagreement about Ariel being given more work to do.

Starting with this conversation, explore how far Shakespeare presents Prospero as a good master in The Tempest.

Write about:

• how far Shakespeare presents Prospero as a good master in this conversation

• how far Shakespeare presents Prospero as a good master in the play as a whole.

The Merchant of Venice

Read the following extract from Act 1 Scene 1 of The Merchant of Venice and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Bassanio explains to Antonio that he is in debt and has been foolish with his money.

Starting with this conversation, explore how Shakespeare presents ideas about loyalty in The Merchant of Venice.

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents the loyalty between Antonio and Bassanio in this conversation

• how Shakespeare presents ideas about loyalty in the play as a whole.

Much Ado About Nothing

Read the following extract from Act 2 Scene 1 of Much Ado About Nothing and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Beatrice and Hero have been discussing their idea of a perfect man. This leads to a conversation about whether or not Beatrice will ever get a husband.

Starting with this conversation, explore how far Shakespeare presents Beatrice as an independent female character in Much Ado About Nothing.

Write about:

• how far Shakespeare presents Beatrice as an independent female character in this conversation

• how far Shakespeare presents Beatrice as an independent female character in the play as a whole.

Julius Caesar

Read the following extract from Act 5 Scene 5 of Julius Caesar and then answer the question that follows.

At this point in the play, Anthony and Octavius respond to news of Brutus’ death.

Starting with this conversation, explore how far Shakespeare presents Brutus as an honourable man in Julius Caesar.

Write about:

• how Shakespeare presents Brutus in this conversation

• how far Shakespeare presents Brutus as an honourable man in the play as a whole.

Robert Louis Stevenson: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Read the following extract from Chapter 1 (Story of the Door) of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and then answer the question that follows.

In this extract, Mr Enfield tells Mr Utterson about his encounter with Mr Hyde.

Starting with this extract, explore how far Stevenson presents Mr Hyde as a threatening and dangerous character.

Write about:

• how Stevenson presents Mr Hyde in this extract

• how far Stevenson presents Mr Hyde as threatening and dangerous in the novel as a whole.

Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol

Read the following extract from Chapter 2 of A Christmas Carol and then answer the question that follows.

In this extract, the Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge his last meeting with Belle.

Starting with this extract, explore how Dickens presents the effects of greed in A Christmas Carol.

Write about:

• how Dickens presents the effects of greed in this extract

• how Dickens presents the effects of greed in the novel as a whole.

Charles Dickens: Great Expectations

Read the following extract from Chapter 58 of Great Expectations and then answer the question that follows.

In this extract, Pip returns home to discover that Joe and Biddy have just got married.

Starting with this extract, explore how Dickens presents the lessons Pip learns about what is really important in life.

Write about:

• how Dickens presents Pip in this extract

• how Dickens presents the lessons Pip learns about what is really important in life in the novel as a whole.

Charlotte Brontë: Jane Eyre

Read the following extract from Chapter 38 of Jane Eyre and then answer the question that follows.

In this extract, Jane reflects on her married life with Rochester.

‘ Jane Eyre is a novel about Jane’s search for happiness.’

Starting with this extract, explore how far you agree with this view.

Write about:

• how Brontë presents Jane in this extract

• how far Brontë presents Jane’s search for happiness in the novel as a whole.

Mary Shelley: Frankenstein

Read the following extract from Chapter 17 of Frankenstein and then answer the question which follows.

In this extract, the creature asks Frankenstein to create a companion for him.

Starting with this extract, explore how Shelley presents the effects of loneliness and isolation in Frankenstein.

Write about:

• how Shelley presents the effects of loneliness and isolation in this extract

• how Shelley presents the effects of loneliness and isolation in the novel as a whole.

Jane Austen: Pride and Prejudice

Read the following extract from Chapter 29 of Pride and Prejudice and then answer the question that follows.

In this extract, Elizabeth is visiting Lady Catherine de Bourgh for the first time.

Starting with this extract, explore how Austen presents ideas about social class in Pride and Prejudice.

Write about:

• how Austen presents ideas about social class in this extract

• how Austen presents ideas about social class in the novel as a whole.