Shakespeare For 7+

Before you can have a full, holistic understanding of a Shakespearean play , there are various skills to master other than a sound level of language analysis and an ability to give innovative interpretations.

The first, and perhaps most important, is context. If Romeo and Juliet was not set in Verona would a family fued have been as likely? If Scotland had conformed to the rule of primogeniture instead of Gaelic anistry, would Malcolm`s appointment have enraged Macbeth to the point of regicide? The context of any play or piece of literature is the bedrock on which you build a successful answer.

The second important element is Aristoean in nature. The late, great Greek philosopher (yes, the same man to realise dolphin`s weren`t fish) told us of four key ingredients in the story of a tragic hero.

Hamartia - a fatal personality flaw that leads to the character`s demise.

Anagnorisis - A moment of realisation, where they now see the truth of a situation.

Peripeteia - A reversal of fortune

Hubris - A blinding arrogance/over-confidence

To find out how to use these when answering a Paper One Literature question on Macbeth or Romeo and Juliet, I am here to help