Grade 12 Literature Setwork
NSC and SC Examination
Question Papers and Memoranda
(Marking Guidelines)
English Home Language:
Drama – Hamlet
All Examination Question Papers and
Marking Guidelines:
Copyright Department of Basic
Education
, English Home Language/P2 15 DBE/November 2018
NSC
SECTION C: DRAMA
Answer ONLY on the play you have studied.
HAMLET – William Shakespeare
Answer EITHER QUESTION 10 (essay question) OR QUESTION 11 (contextual
question).
QUESTION 10: HAMLET – ESSAY QUESTION
Gertrude and Ophelia's passivity makes them vulnerable to exploitation and
manipulation.
Critically discuss the extent to which you agree with the above statement.
Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words
(2–2½ pages). [25]
QUESTION 11: HAMLET – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION
Read the extracts below and then answer the questions that follow.
EXTRACT E
GUILDENSTERN
But we both obey,
And here give up ourselves in the full bent,
To lay our service freely at your feet
To be commanded.
CLAUDIUS
Thanks Rosencrantz, and gentle Guildenstern. 5
GERTRUDE
Thanks Guildenstern, and gentle Rosencrantz,
And I beseech you instantly to visit
My too much changéd son. Go some of you
And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is.
GUILDENSTERN
Heavens make our presence and our practices 10
Pleasant and helpful to him!
GERTRUDE
Ay, amen!
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern off
Enter Polonius. He speaks apart with the king.
POLONIUS
The ambassadors from Norway, my good lord, 15
Are joyfully returned.
CLAUDIUS
Thou still hast been the father of good news.
POLONIUS
Have I, my lord? Assure you, my good liege,
I hold my duty as I hold my soul,
Copyright reserved Please turn over
2 Grade 12 Literature Setwork English Home Language
NSC and SC Examination
Question Papers and Memoranda
(Marking Guidelines)
English Home Language:
Drama – Hamlet
All Examination Question Papers and
Marking Guidelines:
Copyright Department of Basic
Education
, English Home Language/P2 15 DBE/November 2018
NSC
SECTION C: DRAMA
Answer ONLY on the play you have studied.
HAMLET – William Shakespeare
Answer EITHER QUESTION 10 (essay question) OR QUESTION 11 (contextual
question).
QUESTION 10: HAMLET – ESSAY QUESTION
Gertrude and Ophelia's passivity makes them vulnerable to exploitation and
manipulation.
Critically discuss the extent to which you agree with the above statement.
Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words
(2–2½ pages). [25]
QUESTION 11: HAMLET – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION
Read the extracts below and then answer the questions that follow.
EXTRACT E
GUILDENSTERN
But we both obey,
And here give up ourselves in the full bent,
To lay our service freely at your feet
To be commanded.
CLAUDIUS
Thanks Rosencrantz, and gentle Guildenstern. 5
GERTRUDE
Thanks Guildenstern, and gentle Rosencrantz,
And I beseech you instantly to visit
My too much changéd son. Go some of you
And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is.
GUILDENSTERN
Heavens make our presence and our practices 10
Pleasant and helpful to him!
GERTRUDE
Ay, amen!
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern off
Enter Polonius. He speaks apart with the king.
POLONIUS
The ambassadors from Norway, my good lord, 15
Are joyfully returned.
CLAUDIUS
Thou still hast been the father of good news.
POLONIUS
Have I, my lord? Assure you, my good liege,
I hold my duty as I hold my soul,
Copyright reserved Please turn over
2 Grade 12 Literature Setwork English Home Language
