Richard III

							Richard III




     Lesson 1
    Political intrigue

The language of politics:

   Betrayal
   Duplicity
   Treachery
   Treason
   Back-stabbing
   Fear
   Arrogance
   Ignorance
   Paranoia
   Oblivion
Band 5:




   Clear focus on the question and use of relevant
    quotations from both extracts. Clear understanding of
    how characters use language in both extracts.
   Creates an argument with well-chosen reference to the
    text to justify comments.
Band 6:




   Coherent analysis of the text in relation to the question.
   Appreciation of the effects of features of language in both
    extracts.
   Creates a well-developed argument with comments and
    precisely selected references to the text integrated
    appropriately.
Both bands require:




    integrated quotations
    ongoing links to both extracts
    sentences that make a point, embed a quotation and
     explore implications relevant to the question in detail
    creation of an argument - a chain of linked points
     that respond to the question with a point of view
     that might be maintained or reconsidered if
     appropriate.
These 2 extracts show how power has corrupted the
character of Napoleon in Orwell's 'Animal Farm'.




Extract 1:

   Napoleon, with the dogs following him, now mounted on to the
    raised portion of the floor where Major had previously stood to
    deliver his speech. He announced that from now on the Sunday
    morning Meetings would come to an end. They were
    unnecessary, he said, and wasted time. In future all questions
    related to the working of the farm would be settled by a special
    committee of pigs, presided over by himself. These would meet
    in private and afterwards communicate their decisions to others.
    The animals would still assemble on Sunday mornings to salute
    the flag, sing 'Beasts of England', and receive their orders for
    the week; but there would be no more debates.
Extract 2:




  After that it did not seem strange when next day the pigs
  who were supervising the work of the farm all carried
  whips in their trotters. It did not seem strange to learn
  that the pigs had bought themselves a wireless set, were
  arranging to install a telephone, and taken out
  subscriptions to John Bull, Tit-Bits, and the Daily Mirror. It
  did not seem strange when Napoleon was seen strolling in
  the farmhouse garden with a pipe in his mouth - no, not
  even when the pigs took Mr Jones's clothes out of the
  wardrobes and put them on, Napoleon himself appearing
  in a black coat, rat-catcher breeches, and leather
  leggings, while his favourite sow appeared in the watered
  silk dress which Mrs Jones had been used to wear on
  Sundays.
                  In these extracts, how does Napoleon’s behaviour show us
                  that he is abusing his role as leader?



Opening
summary                   Napoleon abuses his power throughout the novel and often
establishes                                                                                    Coherent
agreement          disguises his true intentions or works in secret while everyone else is     analysis of
with the           busy. His behaviour in public is often formal and authoritative,            abuse of
point made         although Orwell allows his readers to see the crimes he is committing       power in
in the             by including subtle details.                                                relation to
question -                                                                                     question.
that                      In the first extract, Napoleon has "the dogs following him" as he
Napoleon           mounts the raised stage. This is typical of him in that he appears ready
abuses his
role.
                   to overpower challenge even though the likelihood of it is very slim. He
                   is threatening his audience with the dogs and using this power to
                   secure his position above them. In the second extract, Napoleon is
                   again using props to set himself aside from the animals: he has
Uses words         demonstrated to the pigs how to hold a whip, he is wearing the very
with meanings      threatening clothing of men, which ironically is made of animal skin,
that are linked
to those in the    and was formerly used to exterminate rats. Napoleon is acting in a way      Argument
title giving       that oppresses the other animals without having to say that much. It is     developed
added              ironic that in the first extract, the animals are still commanded to sing   with wide
coherence and      the song "Beasts of England" which contains the line "Cruel whips no        range of
showing                                                                                        references
understanding      more shall crack", whilst in the second extract Napoleon and his pigs
of                 all carry whips.
implications.
                 Continued
Appreciation of           The changes to life on Animal Farm that are announced in the
                                                                                           Argument is
the effects of    first extract show us that Napoleon is removing all power from the       developed
language          other animals. Their right to discuss policy and contribute to their     with move
through well-
chosen relevant
                  society through discussion and "debates" is to be removed. Napoleon      between
comments and      has decided that participation in the running of things is unnecessary   extracts
quotations.       and "wasted time". This shows us that Napoleon is abusing the
                  strength he has over the animals due to his dogs to take away any
                  opportunity that they might have to challenge him. In the second
                  extract, Napoleon is using his position to separate himself from the
                  animals by acting as humans did prior to the revolution. He and his
                  fellow leaders have bought in to the human world by purchasing a
Argument
                  "wireless set" and reading the "Daily Mirror". This behaviour is
developed         against the original rules of the farm which states that "whatever
into coherent     goes on two legs is an enemy" and immediately alerts the reader to
analysis of       the fact that the pigs are no better than the original men who abused
question and
the               the animals and makes the reader question if everyone who was
characterisati    allowed to have power would abuse it. Napoleon's behaviour shows
on of             how abuse of power and manipulation of others can take the form of
Napoleon.         threatening people with violence, wearing clothes that intimidate and
                  making rules that take away any freedom to challenge an oppressive
                  regime.
The reading skills that are assessed in the
Shakespeare Paper are:




   Your ability to understand a question and select
    relevant material to suit your answer to it;
   Your appreciation of how the language of the
    text informs your analysis of the question;
   Your ability to construct an appropriate
    argument and develop your points in a coherent
    way;
   Your understanding of character, theme,
    language or performance in relation to the
    extract.
Homework:




 Use the 2 extracts from the opening of
 the play to respond to the question:

 How do these scenes show us the
 difference between Richard’s public and
 private face?
The Shakespeare Paper does not assess:




   Your understanding of the whole play or
    all of the extracts;
   Your version of what happens;
   Quantity of quotations;
   Your opinion of the play.