FEEDBACK TUTORIAL LETTER
1st SEMESTER 2017
ASSIGNMENT 1
LITERARY DRAMA
LTD611S
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DATE:
29/03/ 2017
Dear Students
Thank you for submitting your first assignment on time. It was our pleasure to mark it.
Some of you obtained good marks; I hope this will motivate you to work even harder. If
you are not happy with your marks, you still have one assignment to try and make up
for this.
Equally, you are reminded that doing your assignment on your own, and not copying it from another
will have great spin-offs in the coming exams. In fact, copying another student’s work or failing to
acknowledge the work of others is tantamount to academic theft and is strictly prohibited.
Use this opportunity to revise the questions in Assignment 1 with the marking guide
provided in this feedback tutorial letter. Give attention to the remarks of the marker-tutor
in your assignment book. If there is anything that you are still unsure of, do not hesitate
to contact the marker-tutor.
We hope to see you at the vacation school and we are looking forward to your next
assignment.
Regards,
Ms. Lydia P. Aipinge
Tel. +264 62 509 028
Cell: +264 81 256 6820
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Below follows feedback and typical examples of answers on every question you had to
answer in Assignment 1. Please note that this is rather a marking guide than a
memorandum and answers given are just examples. What is important is the student’s
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ability to understand and analyse literature critically and provide answers in their own
words. Hopefully, it will assist you in the next assignment.
ASSIGNMENT 1
Question 1 [25 marks]
1.1. African drama is described as any drama that “embodies the yearnings, experiences
and the sensibility of the African people. This could be written by an African or nonAfrican, but it must picture the experience of the people and their environment”
Give an example of an African Drama that depicts the description above; briefly explain
what it is all about and provide a brief background of the African Dramatist (author)
[6]
Feedback
This question was well answered by many students. However, a few students gave unnecessary
long answers even when the instructions clearly say ‘briefly explain’ and ‘provide a brief
background’. To obtain good marks, the drama must be an African Drama; the student should
explain briefly what the drama is all about and also briefly provide the background of the
author/dramatist.
To earn 6 marks your answer should:

Provide a title of an African Drama that indeed embodies the yearnings, experiences and
the sensibility of the African people written by an African or non-African.
Example:
“The show isn’t over by, until …“ Vickson Hangula; “Things Fall apart” by Chinua Achebe; “A
dance of the Forest” by Wole Soyinka; etc.

(1)
Explain ‘briefly’ what the drama is all about.
Example:
The play ‘The show isn’t over, until …’ is a political satire on the plight of the then
demonstrating former freedom fighters. In the play, a group of former fighters in the armed wing
of a political party have turned up to be employed at one of the companies started specifically
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for them. However, the head of the company has other ideas about how he would make his
selections. It is during the interviews and selection process as depicted in the play that the thorny
issues of sexual harassment, nepotism and other examples of abuse of power as happened during
that period, come to light.

(3)
Provide a brief background of the African Dramatist (author)
Example:
Vickson Hangula is one of the Namibian filmmakers who pioneered the scriptwriting, directing
and production of Namibia’s own stories for television and big screen. Hangula directing his
first film, ‘In Difficult Times’, under the then NBC’s Namibia Oral Tradition Project when he
won the Young Directors’ Choice award in 1997. He is also the winner of the M-Net All Africa
Film Awards in 2000 in the category Best Film Shot on Video and the first Golden Pen Winner
in Namibia, having won the Golden Pen Playwrights’ Awards for the controversial hit satirical
play: ‘The Show Isn’t Over Until…’ Other films by Hangula are ‘Okapana: People Soul food’,
‘The Worrier’, ‘On the Rope’s End’, ‘Picture This’, ‘The Night Fire’ and ‘And you call this
freedom?’; New Era, 11 July 2016.
(2)
1.2 Discuss the significance of ‘mercy’ in The Merchant of Venice, supporting your ideas
with accurate and relevant evidence (e.g. direct quotes) from the play.
[7]
Feedback
To a larger extent, this question also received good attention from the students. Some students
manage to support their ideas with relevant evidence; however, they could not successfully
interrogate the quotes to make relevant points of discussion about mercy in the play. Some tend
to discuss mercy in general. The key point that could guide the student is how and why mercy is
important in The Merchant of Venice. How was it portrayed by the various characters in the
play? Some students tend to rely much on internet source and fail to successfully reference the
sources they use.
Example:
The significance of ‘mercy’ in The Merchant of Venice
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In the Elizabethan times, mercy is regarded as an ideal by Christians. In this play
‘mercy’ is held as a significant attribute that has an influence on the societal structures
such as law and relationships, amongst them. For instance, exercising mercy in the
practice of law, The Duke, officially in charge of trying the case between Antonio and
Shylock sympathises with Antonio and labelled Shylock as "an inhuman wretch, /
Incapable of pity, void and empty / From any dram of mercy." This was after Shylock
refuted to show mercy because Antonio and Bassanio have been unkind to him in the
past and rather opted to take a pound of flesh from Antonio as per the loan agreement.
Against all odds, Portia manages to bring about some mercy in Venice. In Act-IV,
Scene-I, Portia makes a very persuasive speech about mercy in the courtroom, asking
Shylock to be merciful so that he will spare Antonio’s life:
“The quality of mercy is not strain’d,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes…(The Merchant of Venice, Act-IV, Scene-I, Lines
173-195)
With that speech, Portia directly makes an appeal to Shylock to leave Antonio’s life. Portia
claims that as we all pray and plead to God for mercy for being merciful and kind towards us,
likewise Shylock should be merciful and kind to Antonio, and he will get reward from heaven.
Portia conveys the idea that mercy is a tender and noble feeling, which must spring suddenly
from one’s heart. It is as beautiful as gentle showers that flow in the heavens and nourish the
earth. It blesses those who show mercy, which not only make them feel good, but also bring
heavenly rewards for them.
Portia leans on the Christian doctrine that mercy is a divine and noble attribute; and that mercy
and forgiveness are godly characteristics. Portia arguably convinces the court that in seeking
justice without showing mercy, Shylock could face damnation (in court), because by doing this
he would disobey the law of God.
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Nevertheless, when Shylock missed his chance to be merciful and faces execution for
his crimes, Portia persuades the Duke to pardon him. She then persuades Antonio to
exercise mercy by not taking all of Shylock's money from him. As a result the Duke
shows mercy (by asking Shylock to pay a fine rather than offer up half of his property to
the state) and Antonio shows mercy (by saying that Shylock can keep the other half of
his property).
In Act IV, Scene 1, both the Duke and Portia present mercy as a better alternative to
the pursuit of law
1.3 The lessons learned by characters in Shakespeare’s plays still resonate
today.
To what extent do you agree with this view?
You may confine your discussion to The Merchant of Venice, with examples
from at least 4 characters.
[12]
Feedback
First of all, students are expected to indicate their ‘degree of agreement’ with the viewpoint
presented. Afterwards, students are expected to consolidate their viewpoint with examples from
at least any 4 characters in the play. The discussion should be convincingly discussed and not
just a provision of mere statement.
Some students however, analysed the characters in general and failed to indicate the ‘lessons
learnt’ by/from characters that still resonates in today’s life. A very few number of students did
not adhere to the instruction of basing/confining their discussions to four characters and as such,
regrettably lose marks.
Example:
1. The inconsistency of Christians in practising Christian values
Christian teaching encourages love, mercy and forgiveness to humankind. Yet
Christians are not always consistency in practicing this. Portia disguised herself as a
lawyer and a man in order to help her husband’s friend Antonio; a fellow Christian. As a
‘christian lawyer’, Portia has the opportunity to be merciful as she so beautifully
advocates in Act IV, Scene i. Instead, she backs Shylock into a corner, strips him of his
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bond, his estate, and his dignity, forcing him to kneel and beg for mercy. On the other
hand, given Portia’s court ruling in favour of Antonio, he decides not to seize Shylock’s
goods as punishment for conspiring against him, which can be considered as being
merciful. However, Antonio tends to be punitive; took away Shylock’s religion (Judaism)
and his profession (usury) by asking the court to force Shylock to convert to Christianity.
2. Valuing properties than people
In Act II, Scene Shylock agonizes over the loss of his money and is reported to run
through the streets crying, “O, my ducats! O, my daughter!” (II.viii.15); with these words,
he displays how he values his money more than his daughter,
When Shylock learnt that the ring given to him in his bachelor days by Leah (most likely
Shylock’s wife and Jessica’s mother), was stolen by his daughter Jessica and traded for
a monkey, Shylock very poignantly laments its loss: “I would not have given it for a
wilderness of monkeys” (Act III, Scene i.101–102). The ring was of sentimental value to
him.
3. True friendship exists
Antonio’s loyalty toward his friend Bassanio is obviously quite sincere, whereas
Bassanio is concerned, love and friendship really are more important to Antonio than
money. When Bassanio asks for help, Antonio promptly offers all of his money and
credit; insisting that they go straightaway to a lender (Shylock) so he can stand as
security for Bassanio. In return, during Antonio’s dark moments of the trial, Bassanio
stood by him, consoling him and even offered to pay thrice what he owed Shylock.
4. Conspiracy is rife in many dealings
In Act III, Nerissa and her boss, Portia dressed as young men conspire to travel to
Venice where they will act as a Court Clerk and Lawyer in the hearing between Antonio
and Shylock, with the aim of saving Antonio, a friend of Portia’s husband, Bassanio.
Meanwhile, they told everybody else that they will keep vigil at a monastery until the
court hearing was over.
In Act V, scene I Nerissa and Portia also conspire to test the faithfulness of theirs
husbands over the rings they gave them but asked them during the court hearing.
Nerissa chastises her husband not for hurting her feelings, but for breaking his own
promise while Portia declares that her husband’s heart is as empty as his finger, and
she promises never to visit his bed until he produces the ring.
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Question 2 [25 marks]
Romeo and Juliet
In the play, Romeo and Juliet share close relationships with the nurse and Friar Lawrence
respectively. Compare Juliet's relationship with her nurse with Romeo's relationship with
Friar Lawrence. You may discuss the following points, among others:
• Friar Lawrence's role in Romeo's life
• The nurse's closeness to Juliet
• How and why Friar Lawrence and the nurse assist the two lovers
• Factors which result in Romeo's and Juliet's loss of trust in Friar Lawrence and the nurse
respectively.
[25 marks]
Feedback
Some students did pretty well on this question, while some students unfortunately, did not pay
much attention to the instruction given. Strictly the question requires students to ‘compare’ the
relationship of Juliet with her nurse and that of Romeo and Friar Lawrence; but not with all other
characters in the play. Students were suppouse to use the ‘point topics’ provided as a frame for
their discussion.
Example:
Friar Lawrence's role in Romeo's life
Friar Lawrence's role in Romeo’ life is that of a kindhearted friend, a father figure, a confidant
and an advisor. Romeo trusted him entirely as he was the priest of their town; he turned to Friar
Lawrence for help and advice at a few crucial points in the play. Friar Lawrence played a vital role
in the marriage of Romeo and Juliet, as well as their plans to get together after Romeo was
banished to Mantua. His attempts to do the right thing were noble, but because of poor planning
they would soon lead to the inevitable tragedy of Romeo and his love-life Juliet.
The nurse's closeness to Juliet
The Nurse has been ‘Juliet’s surrogate mother, she breast-fed Juliet when she was a baby and
has looked after Juliet her entire life. The Nurse cares deeply for Juliet's best interests. She was
also Juliet’s faithful confidante and loyal intermediary in Juliet’s affair with Romeo. She
provides a contrast with Juliet, given that her view of love is earthy and sexual, whereas Juliet is
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idealistic and intense. The Nurse believes in love and wants Juliet to have a nice-looking
husband.
Both characters of Friar Lawrence and The Nurse acted as parental figures to the character of
Romeo and Juliet and provided much needed parental guidance in decision making to the young
lovers on the matters of romance.
How and why Friar Lawrence and the nurse assist the two lovers
Friar Lawrence advises Romeo after the death of Tybalt and tells him to pull himself together;
comforting him he should be happy for the many things that he has got including Juliet’s love. In
Act IV, Scene I Friar Laurence risks his reputation as a friar, schemed for Juliet to fake her death
by suggesting to Juliet that she drink a potion to avoid marrying Paris so that she can marry
Romeo. Friar Lawrence agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet in secret because he hopes that the
wedding will end the feud between the Montague's and Capulet. This is reinforced by the quote;
"For this alliance may so happy prove, to turn your household rancour to pure love."
On the other hand, the Nurse encouraged Juliet's dangerous relationship with Romeo in
the hope that it will make Juliet happy. The Nurse relayed Romeo’s message to Juliet to
attend confession at Friar Lawrence’s cell that afternoon; where they will be married
and also agreed to set up a cloth ladder so that Romeo might ascend to Juliet’s room
on their wedding night. The Nurse assisted the two lovers in keeping Romeo and Juliet’s
marriage a secret from Juliet’s parents.
Factors which result in Romeo's and Juliet's loss of trust in Friar Lawrence and the nurse
respectively.
Romeo’s loss of trust in Friar Lawrence occurred When Friar Laurence tries to console
Romeo's grief at the news of his banishment with rational argument, Romeo quickly
responds that if the Friar was young and in love, he would not accept such advice.
Juliet’s loss of trust in the Nurse happened after Tybalt's death, when Nurse becomes less
sympathetic and later when Capulet orders Juliet to marry Paris, though she defends Juliet at
first, she later pragmatically suggested that Paris would not be so bad after all.
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TOTAL MARKS: 50
GENERAL COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

Always acquaint yourself with the information in the study guide and read
relevant units/chapters in the prescribed books.

Remember to read thoroughly the instructions of the Assignment before you
answer the questions to ensure that you don’t miss answering any question and
that you provide the correct and required information/answers.

Particular attention should be paid to ‘question words’ such as ‘given an
example of’, ‘briefly explain’, ‘discuss’, ‘compare’, etc. as they have great
influence to the kind of response required.

If you are using someone’s information or ideas, put it in your own words
otherwise acknowledge it by referencing it correctly using APA.

Never leave a question unanswered, ask the tutor-marker if you do not
understand.

If you are going to submit your assignment handwritten, make sure you write
neatly and legibly.

Proofread and edit your work to avoid unnecessary spelling and grammatical
errors.

We hope this letter will be helpful to you but if you have any questions, feel free
to contact your marker tutor who will gladly assist you.
Good Luck with Assignment 2!
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