You are Beatrice at the end of the play. You are about to see Hero marry Claudio. Write your thoughts.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2010). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [25] Beatrice will no doubt be happy for Hero, though some answers may reflect a certain doubt.
2. [25] After all, it is not long since she asked Benedick to kill Claudio, and it is likely that a modern audience might find it difficult to believe that she would so soon be convinced of his contrition.
3. [25] We should not forget the context, however; this is a comedy and the expectation is of a happy ending and of harmony between the characters.
4. [25] Beatrice will be blissful in her recognised love for Benedick and may be feeling benign towards Claudio as a result.
5. [25] A certain degree of narrative will probably creep in but the best answers will show engagement with what is a very attractive character and will display some of Beatrice's feistiness and wit.
6. [25] Refer to the band descriptors in arriving at your mark.