UNSEEN POETRY – CONTEXTUAL QUESTIONS
THE CHERRY TREES – Edward Thomas
5.1 Comment on the poem’s form with regard to rhyme scheme and rhythm. (3)
The poem "The Cherry Trees" by Edward Thomas follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines rhyming (shedding/wedding) and the second and fourth lines rhyming (dead/wed). This creates a harmonious sound that complements the reflective nature of the poem. The rhythm is primarily iambic, which lends a lyrical quality to the poem, enhancing its musicality and allowing the reader to engage more deeply with its themes of nature and mortality.
5.2 Explain the significance of the phrase ‘all that passed are dead’ (line 2). (2)
The phrase ‘all that passed are dead’ signifies the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death. It reflects on the past and conveys a sense of loss, suggesting that the joys and events that once thrived along the old road are now a thing of the past. This creates a stark contrast between the beauty of the cherry trees shedding their petals and the somber reality of mortality and absence.
5.3 Discuss the use of irony in relation to the imagery of petals in line 3 and the idea of a wedding in line 4. (3)
The imagery of the petals strewing the grass resembles a wedding celebration, which typically symbolizes love, union, and joy. However, the irony is evident in line 4 where the speaker notes, “when there is none to wed.” This juxtaposition highlights the emptiness of the scene; while nature appears celebratory, there is no joyous occasion to accompany it, emphasizing the themes of loss and absence that permeate the poem.
5.4 Refer to line 1: ‘The cherry trees bend over and are shedding’. How does this connect to the overall message conveyed by the poem? (2)
The act of the cherry trees bending and shedding their petals can be seen as a metaphor for the inevitable decline and mortality of life. This connection reinforces the poem's overall message about the passage of time and the natural cycle of life and death. The beauty of the cherry blossoms serves as a reminder that life is fleeting, echoing the themes of transience and loss throughout the poem.
MACBETH – CONTEXTUAL QUESTIONS
EXTRACT A
6.1 Place the extract in context. (3)
In this extract from Act 2, Scene 1 of "Macbeth," Macbeth is experiencing a powerful internal conflict as he contemplates the murder of King Duncan. It occurs just before he commits the act, illustrating his mental turmoil and the blurring of reality and illusion. Struggling with his ambition and the influence of Lady Macbeth, he hallucinates a dagger leading him to his murderous intent, symbolizing his descent into madness and moral corruption.
6.2 What theme does the bloodstained dagger symbolise in ‘Macbeth’? Provide an explanation and quote from the extract to support your answer. (3)
The bloodstained dagger symbolizes guilt and the violent consequences of ambition. Macbeth’s hallucination reflects his deep psychological conflict; while he is drawn to commit murder to fulfill his ambition, he is also haunted by the moral implications. The phrase "gouts of blood," highlights the horror and inevitability of bloodshed, representing both the literal act of murder and the emotional burden that follows.
6.3 Refer to lines 5–7. What does Macbeth mean when he says “Or art thou but / A dagger of the mind, a false creation / Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?” (2)
Macbeth questions the reality of the dagger he sees, pondering whether it is a hallucination born from his troubled mind. This reflects his increasing mental instability and paranoia, emphasizing the theme of perception versus reality in the play. It suggests that his ambition and guilt are warping his sense of what is real, leading him deeper into madness.
6.4 Discuss how Macbeth’s use of rhetorical questions heightens dramatic tension in the play. (3)
Macbeth’s rhetorical questions create an atmosphere of uncertainty and tension, as they reveal his internal struggles and the weight of his decision. By questioning the dagger's reality, he invites the audience into his psychological turmoil. This heightens the dramatic tension, as viewers anticipate the imminent consequences of his actions and the moral decay that follows.
6.5 Refer to line 18. Macbeth says, “Nature seems dead.” Explore the significance of this statement in relation to Macbeth's character development. (3)
The statement “Nature seems dead” signifies the disruption of the natural order caused by Macbeth's ambition and the murder he is about to commit. It reflects his transformation from a noble warrior to a tyrant willing to defy the natural consequences of his actions. This moment marks a critical point in his character development, as he acknowledges the moral and cosmic implications of his crime, yet still chooses to proceed, sealing his tragic fate.
EXTRACT B
6.6 Refer to lines 1–2. How do these lines contribute to the atmosphere of the scene? (2)
The lines "By the pricking of my thumbs, / Something wicked this way comes" create an ominous atmosphere, suggesting that malevolence is approaching. The phrase implies that the Witches have a foreboding sense of something evil on the horizon, enhancing the chilling and supernatural tone of the scene and foreshadowing Macbeth’s arrival, thus setting the stage for dark events.
6.7 Refer to lines 3–4. How are the lines "Open, locks, / Whoever knocks" an example of the theme of equivocation? (2)
These lines reflect the theme of equivocation by suggesting that the Witches are not forthcoming about their true intentions. By inviting "whoever knocks," they create ambiguity about who is allowed entry and what actions will follow, mirroring the deceptive nature of appearances versus reality in the play, where true motives are often obscured.
6.8 Refer to line 7. What does this line suggest about the nature of the Witches’ deeds? (1)
The line "A deed without a name" implies that the Witches' actions are sinister and ambiguous, lacking a clear identity or moral categorization. This reflects their chaotic and malevolent nature, as they deal with dark forces and influence events without accountability.
6.9 Explain why Macbeth conjures the Witches. (2)
Macbeth conjures the Witches to seek knowledge about his future and to gain power. Driven by ambition and the prophecies they provided him earlier, he seeks guidance in a desperate attempt to control his fate and solidify his position as king, illustrating his moral decline and increasing reliance on dark forces.
6.10 Critically discuss Macbeth’s use of weather imagery in relation to the Witches and the play as a whole. (4)
Macbeth's use of weather imagery, as seen in references to storms and chaos, reflects the tumultuous state of Scotland and the moral disorder unleashed by his actions. Weather serves as a motif for the unnatural occurrences following Duncan’s murder, reinforcing the connection between the supernatural and the disruption of the natural order. The chaotic weather mirrors the internal chaos of Macbeth and hints at the consequences of his ambition, reflecting the overall theme that the pursuit of power leads to destruction and disorder.
MACBETH – ESSAY QUESTION
THE SUPERNATURAL ELEMENTS IN MACBETH
In Shakespeare's "Macbeth," supernatural elements play a pivotal role in driving the plot and shaping Macbeth's character. Three significant supernatural elements are the Witches, the prophecies, and the floating dagger, each influencing Macbeth's actions and moral decline.
Firstly, the Witches embody chaos and foreboding, introducing the theme of the supernatural. Their chant “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” foreshadows the moral confusion that will engulf Macbeth. They manipulate Macbeth by predicting his rise to power, igniting his latent ambition. This encounter leads to his tragic downfall, highlighting how the supernatural tempts and corrupts humans.
Secondly, the prophecies delivered by the Witches serve as a catalyst for Macbeth's ambition. After learning that he will become king, Macbeth's desire for power grows, leading him to commit regicide. This ambition is closely tied to a supernatural belief in fate, as he feels compelled to fulfill the Witches' predictions, blurring the lines between destiny and free will.
Lastly, the floating dagger symbolizes Macbeth's descent into madness and moral corruption. This hallucination reveals his internal conflict as he grapples with his ambitions and the consequences of murder. The dagger represents both his murderous intent and the guilt that will haunt him, illustrating how the supernatural can reflect and exacerbate human desires and fears.
In conclusion, the supernatural elements in "Macbeth" are integral to the play's exploration of ambition, fate, and morality. The Witches, their prophecies, and Macbeth's hallucinations create a dark atmosphere that not only propels the plot but also serves as a reflection of Macbeth’s internal struggles. Shakespeare thus illustrates how the supernatural can influence human behavior, leading to tragic consequences.
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