Learning Objective: To understand HOW to write an exam style answer to a B question in Romeo and Juliet?

What did we say was important in helping the

audience to understand the actors emotions?

How do actors show their meaning when they are performing.

•Gestures•Facial Expression•Actions towards others•Movement•Positions with others•Tone of voice

ROMEO

Is it even so? then I defy you, stars! Thou know'st my lodging: get me ink and paper, And hire post-horses; I will hence to-night.

BALTHASAR

I do beseech you, sir, have patience: Your looks are pale and wild, and do import Some misadventure.

ROMEO: Put not another sin upon my head, By urging me to fury: O, be gone! By heaven, I love thee better than myself; For I come hither arm'd against myself: Stay not, be gone; live, and hereafter say, A madman's mercy bade thee run away.

PARIS

I do defy thy conjurations, And apprehend thee for a felon here.

WHAT do the characters feel?

HOW will you get them to say it?

This is what the examiner said about the B question last year

Trait b) asks how a short portion of the extract (about 6 lines) should be performed. To answer successfully, candidates must be prepared to consider any of the following:actions, positioning, movement, voice, gesture and facial expression and are prompted to do so on the question paper. It is not helpful to consider other elements of production such as lighting, scenery, props and costume because at the heart of this question is theconsideration of how an actor would present the language.

Essentially-you need to understand what is going on, how the characters would feel, their relationship to each other and then explain HOW you would get the actors to show that.

C GRADE answer;

•Generally sound or sound understanding of effectiveness of performance techniques• Clear reference to the lines from the extract to support response.

B GRADE answer;Thorough understanding of effectiveness of performance techniques.• Sustained reference to the lines from the extract to support response.

What the examiner gave this:D

What the examiner said:•Good understanding of the basic emotions.•Comments on some of the actions•However, it is vague- it needs to be more precise.•It needs to talk about other characters and give more context (ie she is protection Juliet)

An Example answer A GRADE

What the examiner gave this:B+/ A-

What the examiner said:•Detailed response looking carfully at how different lines might be delivered.•Thorough in its reference to all the different characters that are in the scene.•Thorough in the way it talks about the variety of characters in the scene.

Writing your own Answer

Using your understanding of the extract explain how the following lines from the extract might be performed.•Give reasons for your answer

BALTHASAR [Aside.]For all this same, I'll hide me hereabout:His looks I fear, and his intents I doubt.

[Retires.]ROMEOThou detestable maw, thou womb of death,Gorged with the dearest morsel of the earth, Thus I enforce thy rotten jaws to open,And, in despite, I'll cram thee with more food!

How successful have I been?

Tick when you see:•You have said how the character is feeling.•You have mentioned facial expression, movement, gesture, tone, position.•You have explained how certain, important lines might be specifically delivered.•You have said how the ACTING shows the EMOTION.

Then set a target- what do you need to do for next time?