EXTENSION WEEK (ANNOUNCEMENT 1)

Hi all,

Just a friendly reminder of the things you are to prepare for lessons during extension week:)


EOY EXAMINATIONS 2008 ENGLISH LITERATURE

Instructions:

Write your full response to Paper 1 Section 2, as corrections. (ALL THREE QUESTIONS)
The corrections are due on the FIRST Literature lesson during the EXTENSION WEEK.
Non-submission = ZERO


Please include the following points in your corrections.

1. What do you find most memorable and attractive about the character of Oberon?
Remember to refer closely to key moments when he appears in the play.

Points may overlap BUT substantiation (elaboration & explanation) MUST be made

Memorable
1. Amorous / Flirtatious
2. Possessive / Patriarchal / Chauvinist
3. Stubborn / Hard headed
4. Sly / shrewd / cunning
5. Well-versed/ knowledgeable in the uses of plants (herbology)


Attractive
1. Able to sympathize with others /Wishes to help those in need / Magnanimous
2. Benevolent
3. Practical
4. Soft-hearted
5. Responsible



2. Describe the transitory and deceptive nature of love in the relationship between the four lovers Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius. Substantiate your answer with evidence from relevant parts of the play.

Should ideally define or limit the scope/focus of the two key words:
1. Transitory
- does not last long (transient), changes rather quickly (almost mercurial) and once change
has taken place, no one remembers what happened prior to that (events/feelings are
forgotten).

2. Deceptive
- love that is ‘faked’ or brought about by the use of deception and trickery
- the illusions or tricks that being in Love makes you susceptible to
- being blinded by the notion of love and reacting in an inexplicable manner (acting out of
character) because of Love
- being misled into believing things that are not really there (the mirage that Love creates)


Transitory
1. Demetrius & Helena
2. Lysander & Hermia
3. Lysander & Demetrius

Deceptive
1. Egeus & Lysander
2. Lysander & Hermia
3. Helena & Demetrius
4. Demetrius & Helena
5. Lysander & Hermia


PASSAGE BASED QUESTION


THESEUS:
What say you, Hermia? be advised fair maid:
To you your father should be as a god;
One that composed your beauties, yea, and one
To whom you are but as a form in wax
By him imprinted and within his power
To leave the figure or disfigure it.
Demetrius is a worthy gentleman.

HERMIA:
So is Lysander.

THESEUS:
In himself he is;
But in this kind, wanting your father's voice,
The other must be held the worthier.

HERMIA:
I would my father look'd but with my eyes.

THESEUS:
Rather your eyes must with his judgment look.

HERMIA:
I do entreat your grace to pardon me.
I know not by what power I am made bold,
Nor how it may concern my modesty,
In such a presence here to plead my thoughts;
But I beseech your grace that I may know
The worst that may befall me in this case,
If I refuse to wed Demetrius.

THESEUS:
Either to die the death or to abjure
For ever the society of men.
Therefore, fair Hermia, question your desires;
Know of your youth, examine well your blood,
Whether, if you yield not to your father's choice,
You can endure the livery of a nun,
For aye to be in shady cloister mew'd,
To live a barren sister all your life,
Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon.
Thrice-blessed they that master so their blood,
To undergo such maiden pilgrimage;
But earthlier happy is the rose distill'd,
Than that which withering on the virgin thorn
Grows, lives and dies in single blessedness.


3. i) What aspect of Theseus’s character is revealed through his lines in this passage and how is his stand here different from his stand at the end of the play?

- Firm / unwavering / decisive (Example?)
- Patient /placating (Example?)
- Patriarchal (Example?)
- Law-abiding/ upholds the law (Example?)

Difference: Lies in his decision making.


ii) Describe how this exchange between Hermia and Theseus is a turning point in the play? Support your answer with close reference to subsequent events in the play.


Turning point:
- Ultimatum forces Hermia and Lysander to think of ways in which to remain true to their oaths and vows of love to each other.
- To escape the ‘harsh Athenian laws’, Lysander proposes that they elope to his aunt’s place which is seven leagues away from Athens.

Impact on the play:
- How does the decision to elope impact subsequent events.
- Outline the necessary events and substantiate how the events were brought about by the event in the passage.
- Relate the events (in passage and elsewhere) to the overall themes in the play.
Elaborate with specific examples from the play.


Submission of corrections is compulsory. Sample essays will be distributed to those who submit their EOY corrections. Thank you!