GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE
Unit A661 Literary Heritage Linked Texts
EXEMPLAR
CANDIDATE
RESPONSES WITH
COMMENTARIES
BRINGING ENGLISH TO LIFE
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Unit A661 – Literary Heritage Linked Texts
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION3
QUESTIONS
Macbeth
Romeo and Juliet
4
5
EXEMPLAR CANDIDATE RESPONSES WITH COMMENTARIES
Candidate 1
Candidate 2
Candidate 3
Candidate 4
Candidate 5
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6
9
12
15
18
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Exemplar candidate responses with commentaries
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The commentaries have been prepared by the Principal
Moderator for this unit in order to provide guidance on
the rewarding of candidates’ responses and to suggest
ways in which a candidate might have reasonably been
able to improve the mark awarded. Reference is made to
the Shakespeare and Film (Guidance and practical support
for teachers delivering Unit A661) booklet freely available to
all centres, and published under ‘Support Materials’ on the
OCR website www.ocr.org.uk.
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Unit A661 – Literary Heritage Linked Texts
INTRODUCTION
These candidate responses demonstrate a range of
abilities and marks awarded, to help teachers in their
teaching and marking of the Controlled Assessment
tasks. Please note that some spelling and grammatical
errors have not been corrected, in order to give a true
representation of the variety of responses that may be
expected.
Exemplar candidate responses with commentaries
Unit A661 – Literary Heritage Linked Texts
QUESTIONS
Please note: These questions and the responses to them are from the 2011-2012 Controlled Assessment
tasks for this unit.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: MACBETH
Task 2
Remind yourself of Act 2 scene 2 in the text and in one or more performed versions of the play.
Explore the ways in which Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are presented in this scene and elsewhere in Shakespeare’s play,
and in the performed version(s).
You should consider:
•
•
•
the thoughts and feelings Macbeth and Lady Macbeth express
the way other characters react to them
what makes the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth so important
Contextualisation
This task is set by OCR and may not be changed. A centre may contextualise the task as appropriate to its own resources,
as follows:
•
•
through the choice of published edition of Shakespeare’s play for study;
through the choice of performed version(s) for study, e.g. film, animated, audio or live performance(s).
In whatever way(s) a centre may choose to contextualise the task, care must be taken to ensure that candidates
generate evidence against the relevant Assessment Objective(s).
Performed versions
Some performed versions are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
film – directed by Roman Polanski (1971)
film – directed by Philip Casson RSC production starring Judi Dench/Ian McKellan (1976)
film – directed by Orson Welles (1948)
film – ‘Throne of Blood’ directed by Akiro Kurosawa (Samurai version) (1957)
film –CH4 RSC version starring Antony Sher (2003)
film – directed by Jack Gold BBC (1983)
film –‘Macbeth on the Estate/BBC’ directed by Michael Bogdanov (1998)
film – directed by Greg Doran (2001) RSC’s Swan Theatre production
audio CD – BBC Audio Books (2004)
audio CD – Arkangel Shakespeare (2005)
audio CD – New Cambridge Shakespeare Audio (1998)
or any live performance.
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4
Exemplar candidate responses with commentaries
Unit A661 – Literary Heritage Linked Texts
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: ROMEO AND JULIET
Task 4
Remind yourself of Act 2 scene 4 in the text and in one or more performed versions of the play.
Explore the ways in which Romeo and Mercutio are presented in this scene and elsewhere in Shakespeare’s play, and in
the performed version(s).
You should consider:
•
•
•
the thoughts and feelings Romeo and Mercutio express
the way other characters react to them
what makes the relationship between Romeo and Mercutio so important.
Contextualisation
This task is set by OCR and may not be changed. A centre may contextualise the task as appropriate to its own resources,
as follows:
•
•
through the choice of published edition of Shakespeare’s play for study;
through the choice of performed version(s) for study, e.g. film, animated, audio or live performance(s).
In whatever way(s) a centre may choose to contextualise the task, care must be taken to ensure that candidates
generate evidence against the relevant Assessment Objective(s).
Performed versions
Some performed versions are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
film – directed by Baz Luhrman (1996)
film – directed by Franco Zefferelli (1968)
film – directed by Alvin Rakoff BBC (1978)
film – directed by Trevor Nunn (2006)
film – directed by Renato Castellani (1954)
film – directed by George Cukor (1936)
audio CD – BBC Audio Books (2004)
audio CD – Arkangel Shakespeare (2005)
audio CD – New Cambridge Shakespeare Audio (1997)
or any live performance.
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5
Exemplar candidate responses with commentaries
Unit A661 – Literary Heritage Linked Texts
EXEMPLAR CANDIDATE RESPONSES WITH COMMENTARIES
CANDIDATE 1 (WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: ROMEO AND JULIET, TASK 4)
CANDIDATE RESPONSE
(1)
(2)
Romeo and Mercutio’s relationship is incredibly important throughout the entire play.
Howver it is particularly important in Act 2 Scene 4. In this scene Shakespeare
highlights the key themes and uses their relationship to indicate the turning-point of
the play. The importance is shown in both the original play and the Baz Luhrman
film, although their method differs.
Act 2 Scene 4 reminds the audience of the fact that this is a tragedy and they are
assured that their prerequisite of of romeo’s death is to be confirmed. Mercutio
mocks Romeo to Benvolio, “He is already dead; stabbed with a white wrench’s black
eye.” This is incredibly ironic as although his references of “wrench” are about
Rosoline these words would equally apply to Juliet. At The Globe, where the play
would traditionally be performed, these lines would be shouted to emphasise the
dramatic irony; particularly the word “dead”. In Baz Luhrman’s interpretation the
word “dead” is made more significant by timing; Mercutio lunges at Benvolio as he
says the word “dead” and there is a slight pause after, allowing the audience to be
reminded of the theme of tragedy and its significance to be felt. This line is
emphasised in both versions of the play and in both assures the reader they know
what will happen and in doing so captivates the audience with this fear during the
rest of the play.
Mercutio is a demanding character over the audience and other characters
throughout the play. However, in this scene it is particularly noticeable. This
demand for attention highlights the fact Romeo is young and easily lead which
is sometimes forgotten in the play. “Romeo: Pink flower
Mercutio: Right
Romeo: Well my pump is well flowered
(3)
Mercutio: Sure wit.” Shakespeare highlights Mercutio’s demand and control over
Romeo as he continues to interrupt. This clear structure allows the audience to
anticipate when Mercutio will speak, again emphasising his demanding character.
The shere volume of words is also important in acknowledging this. In Baz
Luhrman’s interpretation this command is achieved by the same number of lines but
also by using a gunshot. Whilst Shakespeare makes it obvious as to Mercutio’s
command, Baz Luhrman demands, as does Mercutio, that you notice. Romeo turns,
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6
Exemplar candidate responses with commentaries
Unit A661 – Literary Heritage Linked Texts
there is a close up on Mercutio and his command over Romeo, and the scene, is
maintained. This scene is important in determining Romeo’s character so that during
the rest of the play we are aware of Romeo’s feelings and decisions are highly
influenced and suseptible to change: his key flaw as a tragic hero.
This scene also highlights Romeo’s love for Juliet as well as the close relationship
between Mercutio and Romeo. We appriciate Romeo’s love for Juliet, as dispite his
deap respect for Mercutio, he ignores his teasing: “farewell ancient lady,” and follows
the Nurse. This is a major turning point in the play as it allows the audience to take
Romeo’s love for Juliet far more seriously, as he chooses Juliet over Mercutio. In
Luhrman’s production of the play we notice the literal separation of the two as it’s a
wide shot. The close-up of Mercutio’s shocked face also emphasises the
significance of this decision. Because this movement is so obvious there is less need
for the audience to understand or have prior knowledge of the play, making it easier
to understand.
The Nurse in Luhrams production is also a very upstanding character (compared
with Zefferelli) this emphasises Romeo’s strong decision between right and wrong as
he follows what appears to be right. As Romeo and Juliet don’t spend much time
together this scene is crusial in highlighting their love, as well as how powerful their
love is as Romeo follows the nurse.
Both versions of the play show that Romeo and Mercutio have a close and intermit
relationship although the characters in Baz Luhrman’s film have a slightly different
relationship as they convey different emotions, “the slip the slip”. In the original play,
although these words are said with undertones of annoyance, are said in a more
jokey manor. Although the play does not specifically say how these words are said
we can tell from Romeo’s reaction “pardon good Mercutio,” and from our prior
knowledge these words are not too sencire. In Baz Luhrman’s production these
words are said with more passion and anger. Dispite the word “slip” usually being a
light hearted term, we see from the tone and facial expressions Mercutio isn’t happy
as he walks away.
(4)
This changes Romeo’s response from being sarcastic and cutting to being
apologetic. This entirely changes the dynamics of their relationship and the way
Romeo is concieved in the rest of the play. As we see Romeo as a weaker,
suseptable character.
Although there are differences in the way the characters are portrayed in the detail of
their emotion, Baz Luhrman does give a true and accurate representation of the play.
He highlights key themes of love, tragedy, death and fate although his technique is
different. Differences are of course to be expected as the stage direction aren’t not
explicit and Luhrmans audience is entirely different from Shakespear’s; a hundred
years ago. We get a clear sense of personality and the audience acknowledges the
turning-point in the play which is the main purpose of the scene.
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7
Exemplar candidate responses with commentaries
Unit A661 – Literary Heritage Linked Texts
CANDIDATE 1 (WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: ROMEO AND JULIET, TASK 4)
COMMENTARY
Mark awarded: 40
This is a good example of how to use the film appropriately to support the detailed analysis of the set scene.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Good introduction which underlines the purpose of this scene in the context of the film.
Clear interpretation of the language of the film.
The candidate uses the visual effect of the gunshot to emphasise the dramatic effect.
Again the candidate makes observations on the character based upon the specific aspects of the language.
Generally the candidate demonstrates “cogent and precise evaluation of the relevant detail from the chosen play and
performed version.”
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8
Exemplar candidate responses with commentaries
Unit A661 – Literary Heritage Linked Texts
CANDIDATE 2 (WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: ROMEO AND JULIET, TASK 4)
CANDIDATE RESPONSE
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
In the play and films of Romeo and Juliet the director interprete the films in their own
way from Shakespear’s script. Two of the main charcters from ‘Romeo and Juliet’
are Mercutio and Romeo. In the films Baz Luhrman the director of the newest film
and Franco Zefferelli the director of the older version made in 1968 shows their
friendship for both charcters differently.
In Act 2 sceen 4 Romeo and Mercutio are playing around and teasing each other. At
this point Romeo is in love with Juliet but Mercutio dose not know this. When the
nurse enters you are able to see the difference in which both charcters react. In the
Baz Luhrman version Mercutio says to the nurse when she enters “Bawd” which
shows that Mercutio has no respect to people that are out of his concern. We can
tell this as the word ‘bawd’ means a brothel owner which is an extremely rude thing
to say when he’s not even got to know the nurse. This shows the difference
between the two best frends as the more effencive Mercutio becomes the more
serious Romeo is. As the nurse takes Romeo away so they are able to talk aloun
without disruptions. Mercutio keeps screaming out to romeo to get his attention and
in the Baz Luhrman version fireing his gun. This shows that Mercutio feels jelous
that someone is taken Romeo away. This is also show more effectively by Baz
Luhamen as he directs the camra to do a ‘blure out’ which shows only Mercutio’s
emotion while Romeo was walking away. In the Franco Zefferelli film the jelous
Mercutio has is shown by interruptions as Mercto will not lets the nurse talk and
being more ‘hands on’ meaning that he kept touching her and lifting up her skirt also
pretending to faint. Franco Zefferill has done this to show Mercutio’s jelousy and is
not willing to leave Romeo with the nurse so keeps making the attenchon about him.
This shows that even they are best friends they still get upset with each others
actions.
In Act 1 sceen 4 here we are able to see the relationship between Romeo and
Mercutio. In this part of the play we are seeing the two chacters and different
charcter. Before sceen 4 we are introduced to Romeo. In the Baz Luhrman film the
setting was Romeo sitting on the beach with the background the sea and the sunset.
Baz Luhamen he’s abled us to see Romeos feelings but also the scenery by a ‘midshot’. In the older version Romeo entice was not as dramatic and we wher not able
to see his emtiones as such. Franco Zefferlli introduced him by Romeo holding
flowers down a small ally way. In sceen 4 we can tell that Mercutio has a comlets
different charcter to Romeo. He was introduced by sing ‘Young hearts’ and having a
great time in the Baz Luhamen film this shows they are completely different people
but can still be best friends. When Mercuto is trying to persuade Romeo to go to the
Capulet ball he says ‘If love be rough with you be rough with love’. This shows
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9
Exemplar candidate responses with commentaries
Unit A661 – Literary Heritage Linked Texts
Mercuto is upset to see Romeo depressed about women and love and just wants
him to forget about it. This also shows that Mercuto dose not believe love is good
and it is not fun to be in love. We can tell that best friends sometimes do not
understand each other about their feelings.
In act 2 sceen 1 we can tell the different ways both characters Romeo and Mercutio
act about there feelings of love and women. This sceen is where Romeo is getting
pulled away from the Capulet ball and they are about to drive home. In the Baz
Luhaman version this sceen shows both the ways the chrcters feel about love. The
audience are able to tell this by the script but also with different camra shots. As
Mercutio pulls Romeo away from the Capulet ball the camra zooms out to show that
Romeo is still looking back at his new love Juliet. This shows Romeo gets in love
easily. Eventually as they get to the car Romeo runs off to find Juliet and Mercutio
screams ‘To raise a spirol in his mistress circle’. This shows Mercutio has no
respect on women and just believes they are for fun, which his best friend has an
opposite opinion about this makes us understand why Mercutio has no respect for
women like his friend.
In the Act 3 sceen 1 is the last time both of the charcters are together, this is
because this is the sceen with Mercutio’s death, also knows as a falling point as after
he dies everything goes downhill. This act gets interrupted in different ways as
whose fault it is of Mercutio’s death. This is because Tybalt wants to have a fight
with Romeo but unfornly Mercutio hears about this and wants to get involved. This
shows that even Mercutio is not a Capulet nor a Montague he will still stand up for
his friend. When Tybalt arrives he does not find romeo so Mercutio gets involved
and starts teasing Tybalt which gets him extremely angry. Once Romeo appears
Tybalt wants to start but Romeo dose not want to as he is in love. As the fight
progresses Mercutio gets hurt and can hardly walk. In the Luhrman version when
Mercutio says ‘A scratch’ he is shown to do this in a comic way to not frighten
Romeo about being in pain. In the Franco Zefferlli Mercutio is not even able to stand
up to show he is still fighting for life and none of his friends are worried till Mercutio
collapses completely. This shows that they are used to Mercutio being comical and
were thinking he was joking around, even his best friend Romeo. In the Baz
Luhaman version when Mercutio gives up the fight for his life the camera does a long
shot of Mercutio’s body and Romeo running to Tybalt. This shows that we can tell
why Romeo is running off but also why Romeo is so upset. The biggest point is that it
shows it will be the last time we see him. This means it is an end to a friendship of
two completely different characters.
Overall I believe that both versions are able to show Romeo and Mercutio’s
friendship in different ways. The newest version can also show this more by comic
directions not just the script, unlike the older version. But were both successful
doing this.
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10
Exemplar candidate responses with commentaries
Unit A661 – Literary Heritage Linked Texts
CANDIDATE 2 (WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: ROMEO AND JULIET, TASK 4)
COMMENTARY
Mark awarded: 28
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
The introduction is laboured.
The candidate dwells too much on the word “bawd”. They needed to say how the entrance of Mercutio and Romeo differs between the two films, and how this affects the audience’s interpretations of the characters.
The candidate needed to state quite clearly how visual effects enhance the interpretation of this scene, and Mercutio and Romeo’s reactions to the Nurse.
Much more detailed supporting reference to the text is needed.
The candidate needed to demonstrate here quite clearly how the settings of the two films linked quite clearly to the feelings of the characters. This was far too generalised a response. The candidate needed to relate this whole section to page 9 of the Shakespeare and Film (Guidance and practical support for teachers delivering Unit A661) booklet, “Developing student responses”.
Generally this piece has offered a narrative understanding of a number of scenes, but needed to concentrate much
more specifically on Act 2 Scene 4.
More detailed preparation was needed by using the prompts in Appendix 2 of the Shakespeare and Film (Guidance
and practical support for teachers delivering Unit A661) booklet, which could have pushed this to a higher Band 3
mark.
EG:
How do the characters react to each other in the two film versions?
What is important in the scene? How does the film present this imaginatively?
Why is this scene interpreted differently in the two film versions and what impact does this have on the audience?
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Exemplar candidate responses with commentaries
Unit A661 – Literary Heritage Linked Texts
CANDIDATE 3 (WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: MACBETH, TASK 2)
CANDIDATE RESPONSE
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
In Act 2 Scene 2 of the Polanski version many key events occur, such as Lady
Macbeth drugs King Duncan’s guards, Macbeth murders King Duncan, Macbeth and
Lady Macbeth wash their hands at the well and the water turns red, someone knocks
at the door and other mysterious noises. Whereas in the retold version different
events occur, such as instead of drugging the guards Lady Macbeth calls the illegal
worker’s hotel pretending to be immigration which then sends them running therefore
framing them for the murder of Duncan. Macbeth still kills Duncan, Macbeth and
Lady Macbeth wash there hands at a sink instead of a well, there is a guy shouting
“Engerland” instead of the knocking at the castle door, then the shout turns into a
screech even aloud, which masks the screams from Duncan.
In Polanski’s version the lighting is dark and you can only see Macbeth’s silhouette
as he walks down the stairs into the moonlight courtyard. This is minimised in the
retold version when Macbeth climbs the stairs holding the kitchen knife and you can
see his shadow on the wall, which makes the knives look massive. Having dark
lighting throughout the scene and having a full moon which is widely known to cause
mischief on our planet. All this gives the watcher have the feeling anticipate that
something is going to happen, eg. Duncan’s murder.
Throughout act two scene two of the Polanski version Macbeth is very nervous and
jumpy this is shown in his facial expressions, when he is surprised by the knocking at
the door and most of all when he just uses sort sentences such as “when” and “as i
decended?” I think he is nervous as he is being forced to kill his own cousin (King
Duncan) by his wife Lady Macbeth. Where as in battle he can stab someone in the
gut and rip his sword up to there neck then chop heads off but he can’t stab
someone when he isn’t in a battle. I think this is because in battle killing someone is
heroic but its not outside of battle. In the retold version he is still nervous and being
forced to kill his boss but he doesn’t show as much fear until he has done the deed.
Also, in Polanski’s version Macbeth is a soldier but in the retold version he is just a
chef so he isn’t used to killing real people, he is just used to handling blood and
sharp knives.
In the Polanski version the most common camera angle shot is the low angle shot
which occurs frequently in the frames, such as when Macbeth is decending down the
stairs, when Macbeth and lady Macbeth are cuddling then lady Macbeth notices the
daggers. There were all also close up shots, which were used to show the facial
expressions of the characters.
The relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth at the beginning of the play
(Polanski version) they were close but at the end particularly after the murder they
start to drift apart. This is shown when they are at the well when Lady Macbeth tries
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Exemplar candidate responses with commentaries
Unit A661 – Literary Heritage Linked Texts
to comfort Macbeth,
middle of the frame.
and every morning he
kiss, showing that they
he turns away from her which leaves the bloody daggers in the
Where as in the retold version at the beginning they are close
gives her a kiss, but after the murder he doesn’t give her a
have drifted apart.
The Polanski version is set in a castle in remote Scotland which gives the effect of it
being remote and eery. But in the retold version its based in a town/city in a
restaurant, not nearly as remote.
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have no consideration for any other characters feelings
in the Polanski version as is shown when they frame the guards. The guards could
of had familys which needed the money to live, also it is shown when he orders his
best friend Banquo and his son to be murdered and when he orders Macduffs castle
and family to be burned and killed.
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Exemplar candidate responses with commentaries
Unit A661 – Literary Heritage Linked Texts
CANDIDATE 3 (WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: MACBETH, TASK 2)
COMMENTARY
Mark awarded: 25
(1)
This candidate does not clarify the versions of the film that are being used, ie what does the “re-told version” refer to? The candidate needs to reflect upon the dramatic effect of Polanski’s version and the impact on the audience.
(2)
The candidate needed a much more sophisticated critical repertoire to improve their performance, for example say “audience” instead of “watcher”. There is much narrative reference to the film and this is not supported by “careful and relevant” reference to the text.
(3)
Using the “re-told” version sometimes detracts from the critical and dramatic significance of the scene.
(4)
The candidate has commented on the camera angle/shot – but makes no comment on how this affects the audience’s understanding of Macbeth’s character. Again the reference to the film is narrative, and not making detailed reference to the text.
The candidate would do well to have done some preparation work using the prompts in Appendix 2 of the
Shakespeare and Film (Guidance and practical support for teachers delivering Unit A661) booklet – and then
addressed the bullet points on what to include, on page 8 of the booklet.
This is very much a general, narrative response to the films and with a little more structured preparation and reference to
the text could have become a top Band 4 piece of writing.
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Exemplar candidate responses with commentaries
Unit A661 – Literary Heritage Linked Texts
CANDIDATE 4 (WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: ROMEO AND JULIET, TASK 4)
CANDIDATE RESPONSE
Romeo and Mercutio are shown in Romeo and Juliet as best friends and have
different views of love. Romeo is always falling in and out of love with women and
Mercutio doesn’t feel the same way about women because Mercutio is always mean
to women and he never falls in love. Mercutio shows that he really likes spending
time with romeo and when romeo goes away with the nurse Mercutio gets angry and
fires his gun in the air to get Romeo’s attention. The friendship between Romeo and
Mercutio is strong because when Tybalt is just about to kill Romeo Mercutio jumps in
the way and dies for Romeo and Romeo avenges Mercutio by killing Tybalt. This
shows Romeo and Mercutio’s friend ship is strong because Romeo avenges
Mercutio for Tybalt killing him.
In the Baz Luhrman play of Romeo and Juliet Mercutio and romeo are really close
and how mercutio is to girls because in the Baz Luhrman play Mercutio only says 1
or 2 bad things about the nurse. In this version mercutio seems like he wants to talk
to romeo more and that he cares more about Romeo.
In the Franco Zefferelli version of Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Mercutio don’t seem
as close and when the nurse enters Mercutio says bad stuff about the nurse as soon
as she enters by saying “a sail a sail” because the nurses scarf thing is flying around.
Mercutio also says lots of other rude things to the nurse. Mercutio is much meaner
to the nurse in the Franco Zefferelli play compared to the Baz Luhrman version.
In the Franco Zefferelli version they are religious and go into a church. The set of
the play is in a town. The maid is not too well dressed and Romeo pays the nurse to
deliver the message to Juliet. The script is more accurate to Shakespeare’s play
because they are doing it word by word. The clothes that all the characters are
wearing are old clothes. They are Long Shots to show emotion. When the maid is
angry and yelling there’s a close up on her face.
In the Baz Luhrman version the play is set on a beach. The cloths are more modern
and not old. The script is different, they cut out some words. There are medium
shots, one of Mercutio and Romeo where Tybalt has showed up and challenged
Romeo to a duel. There is a close up of Mercutio when is asking Romeo to come
back to him.
The maid is wearing better clothes and looks like she is more wealthy in the Franco
Zefferelli. In the Baz Luhrman version the religion is guns to the families. Romeo
doesn’t pay the nurse to deliver the message to Juliet. They show Mercutio being
nicer to the nurse instead of being really mean.
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Exemplar candidate responses with commentaries
Unit A661 – Literary Heritage Linked Texts
Quotations of Mercutio being mean to the nurse
“Mercutio: Good Peter to hide her face for her fan’s the fairer face”
“Mercutio: A sail A sail”
“Mercutio: Two, two; a shirt and a smock”
“Mercutio: A bawd a bawd a bawd! So ho!”
In the Baz Luhrman version the music is more modern music.
In the Franco Zefferelli version the music is church music.
The relation ship between Romeo and Mercutio is important because if Mercutio
didn’t get Romeo to go to the party then he wouldn’t of met Juliet and then wouldn’t
of ended up killing himself and they could both still be alive. There friendship is also
important because Mercutio gives his life to save Romeo and Romeo avenges
Mercutio by killing tybalt and it shows that Mercutio was such good friends with
Romeo and he was willing to give his own life to save Romeo’s. Mercutio is always
cheer Romeo up about Rosaline but Romeo is still up set.
“Romeo: I am too sore inpierced with his shaft. To soar with his light feathers and
so bound. I cannot bound a pitch above dull woe: under love’s heavy burden do I
sink.”
Mercutio trying to cheer romeo up “If love be rough with you, be rough with love.
Prick it for pricking you and beat love down.”
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Exemplar candidate responses with commentaries
Unit A661 – Literary Heritage Linked Texts
CANDIDATE 4 (WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: ROMEO AND JULIET, TASK 4)
COMMENTARY
Mark awarded: 16
This candidate is clearly referring to the film because he talks about how “Mercutio gets angry and fires his gun in the air
to get Romeo’s attention.”
The candidate also refers to the Zefferelli version, but needed to give much more detailed evidence of how the overall
presentation of the scene affected the audience’s interpretation.
The candidate talks about costume and music, but only briefly. The performed version of the films clearly plays a large
part in this response, but the candidate only makes cursory observations.
A much tighter structure to the response might have been possible if the candidate had considered the questions in
Appendix 1 of the guide Shakespeare and Film (Guidance and practical support for teachers delivering Unit
A661) on setting and props; costume and make-up; body language and facial expression, and also on music.
See also Appendix 2 of the Shakespeare and Film (Guidance and practical support for teachers delivering Unit
A661) booklet for some prompts on analysing a sequence.
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Exemplar candidate responses with commentaries
Unit A661 – Literary Heritage Linked Texts
CANDIDATE 5 (WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: ROMEO AND JULIET, TASK 4)
CANDIDATE RESPONSE
The way romeo & merctio are presented in William shakspere romeo & Juliet are
that there in lov in the Baz Lurman film is a coullfull cartia & that he is black (wich
he is not in the origanl play). In the Bas Lurman film he is causley dressed in Act
2 sean 4 he likes to crack sexual jokes about romeo and take the mick that he is
love struck. He also can be a bit jelos when romeo takes to someone else and
not him they follo mercutios facil expressan. When romeo is around becaue he is
realy playful and like a little puppy. When romeo has to talk to the nurse he walks
away and mercutios facil expressen gives away that he is serious when he talks
to the nurse.
Romeo is different in the Baz Luman film as well as men in this film romeo he
really populy when tufs up somewhere hes always keep in act 2 sean 4 rome get out
the car and taks to mente. Then Mercutio takes the mick & tells saucy jokes
about rome and they play fight and then they stop and look up and see the nurse.
Romeo imedatly gets up & wants to talk to the nurse leving merctio and mercutio
looks flerhjlfg becaus thats his best mate.
The realishaship of romeo & merctio is that they are very close freand & that
merctio can get jelous of other people talking to him in the Baz Luman film he got
jelous when rome taks to the nurce in the film he gets jelous when he taks the
nrce in the church.
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Exemplar candidate responses with commentaries
Unit A661 – Literary Heritage Linked Texts
CANDIDATE 5 (WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: ROMEO AND JULIET, TASK 4)
COMMENTARY
Mark awarded: 5
There will be few candidates on a mark like this, but clearly they will benefit from a great deal of structure in preparation
for the final response. Looking at the questions and prompts from Appendix 1 and 2 of the Shakespeare and Film
(Guidance and practical support for teachers delivering Unit A661) booklet again might be helpful for this
candidate.
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Exemplar candidate responses with commentaries
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