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O-LevelLiterature in EnglishDramaMay/June 2011Paper 1 Q725 Marks

Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it: Leonato: Which is the villain? Let me see his eyes, That when I note another man like him Borachio: I may avoid him. Which of these is he? Leonato: If you would know your wronger, look on me. Art thou the slave that with thy breath hast kill'd Mine innocent child? Borachio: Yea, even I alone. Leonato: No, not so, villain; thou beliest thyself; Here stand a pair of honourable men, A third is fled, that had a hand in it. I thank you, princes, for my daughter's death; Record it with your high and worthy deeds; 'Twas bravely done, if you bethink you of it. Claudio: I know not how to pray your patience, Yet I must speak. Choose your revenge yourself; Impose me to what penance your invention Can lay upon my sin; yet sinn'd I not But in mistaking. Don Pedro: By my soul, nor I; And yet, to satisfy this good old man, I would bend under any heavy weight That he'll enjoin me to. Leonato: I cannot bid you bid my daughter live – That were impossible; but, I pray you both, Possess the people in Messina here How innocent she died; and, if your love Can labour aught in sad invention, Hang her an epitaph upon her tomb, And sing it to her bones; sing it to-night. To-morrow morning come you to my house; And since you could not be my son-in-law, Be yet my nephew. My brother hath a daughter, Almost the copy of my child that's dead; And she alone is heir to both of us. Give her the right you should have giv'n her cousin, And so dies my revenge. Claudio: O noble sir! Your over-kindness doth wring tears from me. I do embrace your offer; and dispose For henceforth of poor Claudio. Leonato: To-morrow, then I will expect your coming; To-night I take my leave. This naughty man Shall face to face be brought to Margaret, Who, I believe, was pack'd in all this wrong, Hir'd to it by your brother. Borachio: No, by my soul, she was not; Nor knew not what she did when she spoke to me; But always hath been just and virtuous In anything that I do know by her. Dogberry: Moreover, sir, which indeed is not under white and black, this plaintiff here, the offender, did call me ass; I beseech you, let it be rememb'red in his punishment. And also, the watch heard them talk of one Deformed; they say he wears a key in his ear and a lock hanging by it, and borrows money in God's name; the which he hath us'd so long, and never paid, that now men grow hard-hearted, and will lend nothing for God's sake. Pray you examine him upon that point. Leonato: I thank thee for thy care and honest pains. Dogberry: Your worship speaks like a most thankful and reverend youth, and I praise God for you. Leonato: There's for thy pains. Dogberry: God save the foundation! Leonato: Go; I discharge thee of thy prisoner, and I thank thee. Dogberry: I leave an arrant knave with your worship; which I beseech your worship to correct yourself, for the example of others. God keep your worship! I wish your worship well; God restore you to health! I humbly give you leave to depart; and if a merry meeting may be wish'd, God prohibit it! Come, neighbour. [Exeunt DOGBERRY and VERGES. Leonato: Until to-morrow morning, lords, farewell. Antonio: Farewell, my lords; we look for you to-morrow. Don Pedro: We will not fail. Claudio: To-night I'll mourn with Hero. [Exeunt DON PEDRO and CLAUDIO. Leonato: [To the Watch] Bring you these fellows on. We'll talk with Margaret How her acquaintance grew with this lewd fellow. [Exeunt severally. How does Shakespeare make this such a satisfying moment in the play?

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About This O-Level Literature in English Question

This structured question appeared in the Cambridge O-Level Literature in English (2010) May/June 2011 examination, Paper 1 Variant 2. It tests the topic of Drama and is worth 25 marks.

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