Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it: Dogberry: Is our whole dissembly appear'd? Verges: O, a stool and a cushion for the sexton! Sexton: Which be the malefactors? Dogberry: Marry, that am I and my partner. Verges: Nay, that's certain; we have the exhibition to examine. Sexton: But which are the offenders that are to be examin'd? Let them come before Master Constable. Dogberry: Yea, marry, let them come before me. What is your name, friend? Borachio: Borachio. Dogberry: Pray write down Borachio. Yours, sirrah? Conrade: I am a gentleman, sir, and my name is Conrade. Dogberry: Write down Master Gentleman Conrade. Masters, do you serve God? Conrade, Borachio: Yea, sir, we hope. Dogberry: Write down that they hope they serve God; and write God first; for God defend but God should go before such villains! Masters, it is proved already that you are little better than false knaves, and it will go near to be thought so shortly. How answer you for yourselves? Conrade: Marry, sir, we say we are none. Dogberry: A marvellous witty fellow, I assure you; but I will go about with him. Come you hither, sirrah; a word in your ear: sir, I say to you it is thought you are false knaves. Borachio: Sir, I say to you we are none. Dogberry: Well, stand aside. Fore God, they are both in a tale. Have you writ down that they are none? Sexton: Master Constable, you go not the way to examine; you must call forth the watch that are their accusers. Dogberry: Yea, marry, that's the eftest way. Let the watch come forth. Masters, I charge you in the Prince's name, accuse these men. 1 Watch: This man said, sir, that Don John, the Prince's brother, was a villain. Dogberry: Write down Prince John a villain. Why, this is flat perjury, to call a prince's brother villain. Borachio: Master Constable – Dogberry: Pray thee, fellow, peace; I do not like thy look, I promise thee. Sexton: What heard you him say else? 2 Watch: Marry, that he had received a thousand ducats of Don John for accusing the Lady Hero wrongfully. Dogberry: Flat burglary as ever was committed. Verges: Yea, by mass, that it is. Sexton: What else, fellow? 1 Watch: And that Count Claudio did mean, upon his words, to disgrace Hero before the whole assembly, and not marry her. Dogberry: O villain! thou wilt be condemn'd into everlasting redemption for this. Sexton: What else? 2 Watch: This is all. Sexton: And this is more, masters, than you can deny. Prince John is this morning secretly stol'n away; Hero was in this manner accus'd, in this very manner refus'd and upon the grief of this suddenly died. Master Constable, let these men be bound and brought to Leonato's; I will go before and show him their examination. How does Shakespeare make this moment in the play so amusing and so serious at the same time?
- (a)How does Shakespeare make this moment in the play so amusing and so serious at the same time?[25]
Mark scheme
Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2012). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.
- [AO1] show detailed knowledge of the content of literary texts
- [AO2] understand the meanings of literary texts and their context, and explore texts beyond surface meaning to show deeper awareness of ideas and attitudes
- [AO3] recognise and appreciate ways in which writers use language, structure, and form to create and shape meanings and effects
- [AO4] communicate a sensitive and informed personal response
- [Band 2 - general] Sustains a perceptive, convincing and relevant personal response; shows a clear critical understanding of the text; responds sensitively and in detail to the way the writer achieves her/his effects (sustaining a convincing voice in an empathic task); integrates much well-selected reference to the text.
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