Advanced level 2026 south west mock Literature in English 3

SECTION A: WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: CORIOLANUS

Read the except below from W. Shakespeare’s Coriolanus and answer the questions that follow it.

CORIOLANUS: A goodly city is this Antium City,

‘Tis I that made they widows. Many an heir

Of these fair edifice ‘fore my wars

Have I heard groan and drop. Then know me not,

Lest that thy wives with spits, and boys with stones 5

In puny battle slay me.

Enter a citizen.

Save you, sir,

CITIZEN: And you.

CORIOLANUS: Direct me, if it be your will,

Where great Aufidius lies. Is he in Antium?

CITIZEN: He is, and feasts the nobles of the state 10

At his house this night.

CORIOLANUS: Which is his house, beseech you?

CITIZEN: This here before you.

CORIOLANUS: Thank you, sir. Farewell.

[Exeunt CITIZEN]

O world, thy slippery turns! Friends now fast sworn 15

Whose double bosoms seems to wear one heart,

Whose hours, whose bed, whose meal and exercise,

Are still together; who twin, as ’twere, in love

Unseparable, shall within this hour,

On a dissection of a doit, break out 20

To bitterest enmity. So fellest foes,

Whose passions and whose plots have broken their sleep

To take the one the other, by some chance,

Some trick not worth an egg, shall grow dear friends

And interjoin their issues. So with me 25

My birthplace hate I, and my love’s upon

This enemy town. I’ll enter. If he slay me,

He does fair justice; if he give me way,

I’ll do his country service.

Questions.

a. Put the italicised lines into good modern English prose. (2 marks)

i. ‘Tis I……. ‘fore my wars.. line 2 – 3

ii. If he slay……….country service. Line 27 – 29

b.i. State ONE major issue that has caused Coriolanus to visit Antium. (1 mark)

ii. Identify a principal character trait of Coriolanus in the extract. (1 mark)

c. Discuss the significance of any two aspects of style in the extract. (2 marks)

d.i. Describe the décor as Aufidius receives the Nobles in his house. (1 mark)

ii. Suggest a possible costume worn by Coriolanus in the extract. (1 mark)

e. Write a letter to Coriolanus regarding his decision to join Aufidius. (2 marks)