English Literature 47104H - Unit 4 Approaching Shakespeare and the English Literary Heritage

Sep 5, 2026

GCSE English Literature Higher Tier paper 47104H, Unit 4: Approaching Shakespeare and the English Literary Heritage. The exam lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and requires an AQA 16-page answer book and unannotated study texts. Candidates answer two questions: one from Section A on Shakespeare (Macbeth, Much Ado about Nothing, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, Julius Caesar) and one from Section B on prose from the English Literary Heritage. No dictionary is allowed; responses must use clear English, specialist vocabulary, and planned time allocation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

Section A: Shakespeare

Macbeth

Much Ado about Nothing

Romeo and Juliet

Twelfth Night

Julius Caesar

Section B: Prose from the English Literary Heritage

Jane Austen: Pride and Prejudice

Emily Brontë: Wuthering Heights

Charles Dickens: Great Expectations

Thomas Hardy: The Withered Arm and other Wessex Tales

George Orwell: Animal Farm

General Certificate of Secondary Education Higher Tier June 2012 English Literature 47104H Unit 4 Approaching Shakespeare and the English Literary Heritage Thursday 24 May 2012 1.30 pm to 3.00 pm For this paper you must have: 􀁺 an AQA 16-page answer book 􀁺 unannotated copies of the texts you have been studying. Time allowed 􀁺 1 hour 30 minutes H Instructions 􀁺 Use black ink or black ball-point pen. 􀁺 Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Examining Body for this paper is AQA. The Paper Reference is 47104H. 􀁺 Answer two questions. 􀁺 Answer one question from Section A and one question from Section B. 􀁺 You must have a copy of the texts you have studied in the examination room. The texts must not be annotated and must not contain additional notes or materials. 􀁺 Write your answers in the answer book provided. 􀁺 Do all rough work in your answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked. 􀁺 You must not use a dictionary. Information 􀁺 The marks for questions are shown in brackets. 􀁺 The maximum mark for this paper is 54. 􀁺 You should: – use good English – organise information clearly – use specialist vocabulary where appropriate. Advice 􀁺 You are advised to spend about 50 minutes on Section A and about 40 minutes on Section B. 􀁺 You are reminded that there are 30 marks for Section A and 24 marks for Section B. M/Jun12/47104H 47104H Section A Questions Pages Shakespeare Macbeth MuchAdo about Nothing Romeo and Juliet Twelfth Night Julius Caesar Section B Prose from the English Literary Heritage 1–2 3–4 5–6 7–8 9–10 Questions 3–4 5–6 7–8 9–10 11–12 Pages Jane Austen Emily Brontë Charles Dickens Thomas Hardy George Orwell Pride and Prejudice 11–12 13 Wuthering Heights 13–14 13 Great Expectations 15–16 14 The Withered Arm and other Wessex Tales 17–18 14–15 Animal Farm 19–20 15 M/Jun12/47104H Section A: Shakespeare Answer one question from this section. You are advised to spend about 50 minutes on this section. Macbeth EITHER Question 1 0 1 Answer part (a) and part (b) Part (a) How does Shakespeare present the different feelings and attitudes of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth in the following extract from Act 2 Scene 2? MACBETH One cried ‘God bless us!’ and ‘Amen’ the other, As they had seen me with these hangman’s hands. List’ning their fear, I could not say ‘Amen’ When they did say ‘God bless us.’LADY MACBETH Consider it not so deeply. MACBETH But wherefore could not I pronounce ‘Amen’? I had most need of blessing and ‘Amen’Stuck in my throat. LADY MACBETH These deeds must not be thought After these ways; so, it will make us mad. MACBETH Methought I heard a voice cry,‘Sleep no more: Macbeth does murder sleep’, the innocent sleep, Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleeve of care, The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath, Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, Chief nourisher in life’s feast. LADY MACBETH What do you mean? MACBETH Still it cried,‘Sleep no more’ to all the house;‘Glamis hath murdered sleep’, and therefore Cawdor Shall sleep no more: Macbeth shall sleep no more. and then Part (b) How does Shakespeare present Lady Macbeth’s and Macbeth’s feelings and attitudes when they are together in a different part of the play? (30 marks) Turn over 􀀗 M/Jun12/47104H OR Question 2 0 2 Answer part (a) and part (b) Part (a) How does Shakespeare make the following extract from Act 3 Scene 4 dramatic and interesting? FIRST MURDERER My lord, his throat is cut; that I did for him. MACBETH Thou art the best o’th’cut-throats, Yet he’s good that did the like for Fleance; If thou didst it, thou art the nonpareil. FIRST MURDERER Most royal sir, Fleance is scaped. MACBETH Then comes my fit again: I had else been perfect; Whole as the marble, founded as the rock, As broad and general as the casing air: But now I am cabin

FAQs

What is the total duration of the paper and how should time be split between sections?

The paper lasts 1 hour 30 minutes. Candidates are advised to spend about 50 minutes on Section A and about 40 minutes on Section B.

What questions must candidates answer?

Candidates must answer two questions: one from Section A and one from Section B.

What materials are required and what restrictions apply in the exam?

Candidates must bring an AQA 16-page answer book and unannotated copies of the texts studied. Texts must not contain extra notes or materials, and no dictionary may be used.

Sep 5, 2026

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