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O-LevelLiterature in EnglishDramaMay/June 2013Paper 1 Q725 Marks

Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it: Sebastian: I remember You did supplant your brother Prospero. Antonio: True. And look how well my garments sit upon me, Much feater than before. My brother's servants Were then my fellows; now they are my men. Sebastian: But, for your conscience Antonio: Ay, sir; where lies that? If 'twere a kibe, 'Twould put me to my slipper; but I feel not This deity in my bosom; twenty consciences That stand 'twixt me and Milan, candied be they And melt, ere they molest! Here lies your brother, No better than the earth he lies upon, If he were that which now he's like – that's dead; Whom I with this obedient steel, three inches of it, Can lay to bed for ever; whiles you, doing thus, To the perpetual wink for aye might put This ancient morsel, this Sir Prudence, who Should not upbraid our course. For all the rest, They'll take suggestion as a cat laps milk; They'll tell the clock to any business that We say befits the hour. Sebastian: Thy case, dear friend, Shall be my precedent; as thou got'st Milan, I'll come by Naples. Draw thy sword. One stroke Shall free thee from the tribute which thou payest; And the King shall love thee. Antonio: Draw together; And when I rear my hand, do you the like, To fall it on Gonzalo. Sebastian: O, but one word. [They talk apart. Ariel: Re-enter ARIEL, invisible, with music and song. My master through his art foresees the danger That you, his friend, are in; and sends me forth – For else his project dies – to keep them living. [Sings in Gonzalo's ear. While you here do snoring lie, Open-ey'd conspiracy His time doth take. If of life you keep a care, Shake off slumber, and beware. Awake, awake! Antonio: Then let us both be sudden. Gonzalo: Now, good angels Preserve the King! [They wake. Alonso: Why, how now? – Ho, awake! Why are you drawn? Wherefore this ghastly looking? Gonzalo: What's the matter? Sebastian: Whiles we stood here securing your repose, Even now, we heard a hollow burst of bellowing Like bulls, or rather lions; did't not wake you? It struck mine ear most terribly. Alonso: I heard nothing. Antonio: O, 'twas a din to fright a monster's ear, To make an earthquake! Sure it was the roar Of a whole herd of lions. Alonso: Heard you this, Gonzalo? Gonzalo: Upon mine honour, sir, I heard a humming, And that a strange one too, which did awake me; I shak'd you, sir, and cried; as mine eyes open'd, I saw their weapons drawn – there was a noise, That's verily. 'Tis best we stand upon our guard, Or that we quit this place. Let's draw our weapons. Alonso: Lead off this ground; and let's make further search For my poor son. Gonzalo: Heavens keep him from these beasts! For he is, sure, i' th' island. Alonso: Lead away. Ariel: Prospero my lord shall know what I have done; So, King, go safely on to seek thy son. Explore the ways in which Shakespeare makes this a powerfully dramatic 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 2013 examination, Paper 1 Variant 2. It tests the topic of Drama and is worth 25 marks.

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