Comparative Essay
Study Guide
‘The Merchant’s Tale’ by Chaucer and ‘The Duchess
of Malfi’ by Webster
English Literature A-Level
Exam Board: OCR
Anish Shah
, Table of Contents:
Practice Essay Questions............................................................................................................ 4
Plot Summary – ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ .................................................................................... 5
Plot Summary – ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ ................................................................................... 7
Genre ......................................................................................................................................... 11
Form, Style, Structure, and Language .................................................................................... 12
‘The Duchess of Malfi’ Historical and Autobiographical Context ........................................ 13
‘The Duchess of Malfi’ Literary Context ................................................................................ 16
‘The Merchant’s Tale’ Historical and Autobiographical Context ......................................... 17
‘The Merchant’s Tale’ Literary Context ................................................................................. 19
Thematic Analysis..................................................................................................................... 22
Intense Emotion ............................................................................................................................................... 22
Deception/ Appearance vs. Reality ................................................................................................................... 22
Religion ............................................................................................................................................................. 23
Love and Lust ................................................................................................................................................... 23
Marriage ........................................................................................................................................................... 24
Power ................................................................................................................................................................ 24
Humanity and Morality .................................................................................................................................... 25
Hierarchy .......................................................................................................................................................... 25
Place and Setting .............................................................................................................................................. 26
Gender............................................................................................................................................................... 26
Key Quotes – ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ ....................................................................................... 27
Key Quotes – ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ ...................................................................................... 29
‘The Merchant’s Tale’ Critical Interpretations ...................................................................... 31
Individual Critics .............................................................................................................................................. 31
Literary Criticisms ............................................................................................................................................ 33
Dramatic Productions ...................................................................................................................................... 35
‘The Duchess of Malfi’ Critical Interpretations ..................................................................... 36
Individual Critics .............................................................................................................................................. 36
Literary Criticisms ............................................................................................................................................ 39
Dramatic Productions ...................................................................................................................................... 41
2
, Comparative Essay Mark Scheme and Assessment Objectives
Assessment Objectives:
Q2. Comparative Essay Comparing ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ and ‘The Merchant’s Tale’
(30 Marks) – choose from 6 options
‘Statement.’ In light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore…
• Introduction:
o Include the question stem/theme
o Name the text, genre, date – ‘The Duchess of Malfi’, Revenge-Tragedy, 17th
Century/Jacobean and ‘The Merchant’s Tale’, Fabliaux, 14th Century/Medieval
o Outline topic paragraphs
• Paragraphs:
o Comparative points – link both texts to the theme/topic sentence – ‘so what’ theory
3
, Practice Essay Questions
1. 'Men may seem to be more powerful than women, but the reality is very different.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore power and gender.
2. 'Forbidden tastes are sweetest.’ In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers
explore the attraction of that which is forbidden.
3. ‘Rank and social status are enemies of happiness.’ In the light of this view, consider ways
in which writers explore the effects of rank and social status.
4. ‘The Outsider is always an intriguing figure in literature.’ In the light of this view,
consider ways in which writers explore those who are placed outside the centre of
society.
5. 'Love brings difficulties as well as pleasures' In the light of this view, consider ways in
which writers explore love relationships.
6. 'Literature proves that human beings are intent on deceiving each one another.' In the
light of this view, explore ways in which writers explore deceit and deception.
7. 'Literature is very good at exploring intense emotion.' In the light of this view, explore
ways in which writers explore intense feelings and emotion.
8. ‘Literature suggests there is little harm in ambition.’ In the light of this view, consider
ways in which writers explore the effects of ambition.
9. ‘The instinct to control others is natural in humanity.’ In the light of this view, consider
ways in which writers explore control and authority.
10. 'Stereotypes about gender are as inappropriate in literature as they are in life.’ In the
light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore gender roles
4
Study Guide
‘The Merchant’s Tale’ by Chaucer and ‘The Duchess
of Malfi’ by Webster
English Literature A-Level
Exam Board: OCR
Anish Shah
, Table of Contents:
Practice Essay Questions............................................................................................................ 4
Plot Summary – ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ .................................................................................... 5
Plot Summary – ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ ................................................................................... 7
Genre ......................................................................................................................................... 11
Form, Style, Structure, and Language .................................................................................... 12
‘The Duchess of Malfi’ Historical and Autobiographical Context ........................................ 13
‘The Duchess of Malfi’ Literary Context ................................................................................ 16
‘The Merchant’s Tale’ Historical and Autobiographical Context ......................................... 17
‘The Merchant’s Tale’ Literary Context ................................................................................. 19
Thematic Analysis..................................................................................................................... 22
Intense Emotion ............................................................................................................................................... 22
Deception/ Appearance vs. Reality ................................................................................................................... 22
Religion ............................................................................................................................................................. 23
Love and Lust ................................................................................................................................................... 23
Marriage ........................................................................................................................................................... 24
Power ................................................................................................................................................................ 24
Humanity and Morality .................................................................................................................................... 25
Hierarchy .......................................................................................................................................................... 25
Place and Setting .............................................................................................................................................. 26
Gender............................................................................................................................................................... 26
Key Quotes – ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ ....................................................................................... 27
Key Quotes – ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ ...................................................................................... 29
‘The Merchant’s Tale’ Critical Interpretations ...................................................................... 31
Individual Critics .............................................................................................................................................. 31
Literary Criticisms ............................................................................................................................................ 33
Dramatic Productions ...................................................................................................................................... 35
‘The Duchess of Malfi’ Critical Interpretations ..................................................................... 36
Individual Critics .............................................................................................................................................. 36
Literary Criticisms ............................................................................................................................................ 39
Dramatic Productions ...................................................................................................................................... 41
2
, Comparative Essay Mark Scheme and Assessment Objectives
Assessment Objectives:
Q2. Comparative Essay Comparing ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ and ‘The Merchant’s Tale’
(30 Marks) – choose from 6 options
‘Statement.’ In light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore…
• Introduction:
o Include the question stem/theme
o Name the text, genre, date – ‘The Duchess of Malfi’, Revenge-Tragedy, 17th
Century/Jacobean and ‘The Merchant’s Tale’, Fabliaux, 14th Century/Medieval
o Outline topic paragraphs
• Paragraphs:
o Comparative points – link both texts to the theme/topic sentence – ‘so what’ theory
3
, Practice Essay Questions
1. 'Men may seem to be more powerful than women, but the reality is very different.’
In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore power and gender.
2. 'Forbidden tastes are sweetest.’ In the light of this view, consider ways in which writers
explore the attraction of that which is forbidden.
3. ‘Rank and social status are enemies of happiness.’ In the light of this view, consider ways
in which writers explore the effects of rank and social status.
4. ‘The Outsider is always an intriguing figure in literature.’ In the light of this view,
consider ways in which writers explore those who are placed outside the centre of
society.
5. 'Love brings difficulties as well as pleasures' In the light of this view, consider ways in
which writers explore love relationships.
6. 'Literature proves that human beings are intent on deceiving each one another.' In the
light of this view, explore ways in which writers explore deceit and deception.
7. 'Literature is very good at exploring intense emotion.' In the light of this view, explore
ways in which writers explore intense feelings and emotion.
8. ‘Literature suggests there is little harm in ambition.’ In the light of this view, consider
ways in which writers explore the effects of ambition.
9. ‘The instinct to control others is natural in humanity.’ In the light of this view, consider
ways in which writers explore control and authority.
10. 'Stereotypes about gender are as inappropriate in literature as they are in life.’ In the
light of this view, consider ways in which writers explore gender roles
4
