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Othello - questions so hard!

To prepare for the Othello A2 exam I've been revising quotes and trying to do practise papers, but the thing is, some of the questions are so hard! I mean, one of the questions from last years paper was:

“The ‘willow scene’ which Desdemona shares with Emilia and where she sings her plaintive song is the most moving scene in Othello.”
“The ‘willow scene’ holds up the action of the play causing frustration in the audience awaiting the climax of the play.”
How far do you agree with each of these opinions?
What is your response to the so-called ‘willow scene’?

How would you handle that? Its such a short scene and I guess you could only say how the willow song reflects Desdemona's personality and adds suspense etc...but the essay would be so short. I really need an A in English but if I get a question like that, I really dont know what I'd do. Do you have to use the question as a sort of stimulus to link to other parts of the play? How are we meant to make a decent essay out of a scene so short? I really need help as my teacher was a bit rubbish and never turned up so I've had to study most of the play myself!

Reply 1

Lynnie

oh my god i have never seen that past question. I am ok at english but my teacher is a genius so im going to see him for more help.

For that question on face value i would approach it by saying well the first quote is right, as the story behind the telling of the song sums up the whole play: jealousy. And, ultimately, Desdemona is aware of her own death and sees it coming. It doesnt cause frustration it adds to the suspense making it the climax more tragic. Have no bloody idea how to link that one though, see what you mean. I got to do some major quote learning. I hate closed book exams grrrr. let me know how u get on with it

Reply 2

winterblue

Was this question for the AQA English Lit and Lang exam?

Reply 3

*~vicki~*

2

no it was for english literature

Reply 4

Catsmeat

13

I remember seeing that question before somewhere. It is possibly the worst the examiners could have dreamt up, tut tut. The problem there is that it's quite precise - however, i managed a soliloquay question a few weeks back and hardly directly quoted from them at all...so use it as a "springboard" ( I hate that phrase, but at least it's relevant).

All you need to do is to explore those two arguments, making some personal responces along the way and concluding - if you look at it logically, this question is not that much harder than others I suppose.

I find eloquently argued drivvle is the best way through any exam if all else fails. Good luck.

Reply 5

Mata

16

On the plus side, the willow question won't come up this year so we don't have to worry about it. Yay!

Apparently questions like the one about the willow scene are straightforward, so long as you've memorised that particular scene. Our teacher advised us to learn two random soliloquys and the end of the play. And apparently women is a good one to learn, too.

Reply 6

Steph!

13

OMG, that question is pure evil!

I dunno, I think that generally the Othello Q's are ok. We'll get one on a scene or act and one on a charcter or theme. I'd go with the second choice any day, cos I find it so hard remembering what happens in each act!

Can I just ask what the alternative Q was on that yr??

Anyhoo... I think the Blake Q's are far harder!!

Reply 7

*~vicki~*

2

i'm hoping women come up this year as i seem to be able to remember a lot about 'sweet Desdemona', 'good Emilia' and 'fair Bianca' (practising quotes there) :biggrin:

lol

Reply 8

*~vicki~*

2

just checked, and the other question that year was

"Othello is the victim of his own self-deluding stories"
"Othello is a tragic hero"
What evidence is there in the play to support both these views?
How do you respond to Shakespeares presentation of Othello

In my opinion neither is a particularly good question. God knows what they'll come up with next year :confused:

Reply 9

Steph!

13

Phew! I much prefer the character Q's every time!! I think I could do ok with that Q. I hope they bring up something to do with the relationship between Iago and Emila. Or just Iago, he's a great character!

Reply 10

zed007

OP

I agree, I'd love to get a question on Iago - theres so much to write about him! *hopes and prays* :p:

Reply 11

Saba

hey,

the question is sooo specific i know what you mean but i'd say the key points to make about the willow scene are that it shows the elizabethan attitude about women. That they should be submissive to their fates, that their husbands are their masters and that Desdemona particularly fits this stereotype.

It is also there to heighten the sense of tragedy that she is so innocent yet Othello sees her as 'a liar gone to burning hell' showing the extent to which Iago has blinded him.

Hope that gives you a few ideas...but with the whole springboard thing i totally agree as perhaps when u've addressed the question u can move on to Othello's downfall etc.

by the way does anyone have any ideas on this question?

'The Society for which Shakespeare wrote knew only too well that power implies the ability to make victims of individuals'
To what extent do you believe this to be the case and use as a starting point Iago's soliloquy: 'Thus do i ever make my fool my purse'

I'm not having trouble with the whole victim of individuals part but i can't link it to elizabethan society which is essential i think...

Reply 12

littlemissalex

13

my god othello questions are indeed hard cause they're almost philosophical and you have to think of so many sides and deeper meanings to just be able to write a semi-decent essay. I hate specific questions cause i prefer to pick my own passages and blabla about the question that way. Edexcel thank god give you a specific question and then a general question to pick from, but that doesnt make it easier.. ahh..

Othello - questions so hard!

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