English Literature / Unit 7 ENL 0623 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Identifying a Shakespeare Play From a Speech
The idea
Identification questions quote a speech and ask its play or speaker. Narrow by stages. First, the setting words: Denmark points to Hamlet, Venice to Othello or The Merchant of Venice, Athens and fairies to A Midsummer Night's Dream, an island and magic to The Tempest, Scotland and witches to Macbeth. Second, the situation: a son mourning his mother's remarriage is Hamlet; a father dividing his kingdom is Lear; a ruler rallying troops at a breach is Henry V; a moneylender's bond is Shylock. Third, the kind of play: a speech about love's confusions in disguise points to the comedies, a meditation on death and action to the tragedies. Fourth, the voice: prose wit suggests Falstaff or a clown, formal blank verse a noble. Fifth, if two plays remain, decide on the most specific detail. "Hath not a Jew eyes?" is The Merchant of Venice by its speaker's situation.
In practice
Place, situation, kind, voice, detail.
Where people slip
Do not guess Hamlet by reflex. Distractors include the most famous tragedies, so confirm the setting and situation before choosing.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Unlocks
- Nothing yet depends on this.
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