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O-LevelLiterature in EnglishDramaMay/June 2014Paper 1 Q725 Marks

Read this extract, and then answer the question that follows it: Ferdinand: Where should this music be? I'th' air or th'earth? Ariel: It sounds no more; and sure it waits upon Some god o'th' island. Sitting on a bank, Weeping again the King my father's wreck, This music crept by me upon the waters, Allaying both their fury and my passion With its sweet air. Thence I have followed it- Or it hath drawn me rather. But 'tis gone. No, it begins again. 5 Song Full fathom five thy father lies. Of his bones are coral made; Those are pearls that were his eyes; Nothing of him that doth fade But doth suffer a sea-change Into something rich and strange. Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell: 10 [within] Ding dong. Spirits: Ariel: Hark, now I hear them. Spirits: [within] Ding-dong bell. [etc.] 20 Ferdinand: The ditty does remember my drowned father. This is no mortal business, nor no sound That the earth owes. [Music] I hear it now above me. 25 Prospero: [to MIRANDA] The fringèd curtains of thine eye advance, And say what thou seest yon. Miranda: What is't? A spirit? Lord, how it looks about! Believe me, sir, 30 It carries a brave form. But 'tis a spirit. Prospero: No, wench, it eats and sleeps, and hath such senses As we have, such. This gallant which thou seest Was in the wreck, and but he's something stained With grief, that's beauty's canker, thou mightst call him 35 A goodly person. He hath lost his fellows, And strays about to find 'em. Miranda: I might call him A thing divine, for nothing natural I ever saw so noble. 40 Prospero: [aside] It goes on, I see, As my soul prompts it. [To ARIEL] Spirit, fine spirit, I'll free thee Within two days for this. Ferdinand: [aside] Most sure the goddess On whom these airs attend. [To MIRANDA] Vouchsafe my prayer 45 May know if you remain upon this island, And that you will some good instruction give How I may bear me here. I Do last pronounce, is—O you wonder- If you be maid or no? 50 Miranda: No wonder, sir; But certainly a maid. Ferdinand: My language? Heavens! I am the best of them that speak this speech, Were I but where 'tis spoken. 55 Prospero: How? The best? What wert thou, if the King of Naples heard thee? Ferdinand: A single thing, as I am now that wonders To hear thee speak of Naples. He does hear me, And that he does I weep. Myself am Naples, Who with mine eyes, never since at ebb, beheld The King my father wrecked. 60 Miranda: Alack, for mercy! Ferdinand: Yes, faith, and all his lords, the Duke of Milan And his brave son being twain. 65 Prospero: [aside] The Duke of Milan And his more braver daughter could control thee, If now 'twere fit to do't. At the first sight They have changed eyes.—Delicate Ariel, I'll set thee free for this. [To FERDINAND] A word, good sir. I fear you have done yourself some wrong. A word. 70 [from Act 1 Scene 2] Explore the ways in which Shakespeare makes this such a dramatic and moving 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 2014 examination, Paper 1 Variant 1. It tests the topic of Drama and is worth 25 marks.

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