OUR COUNTRY’S GOOD
9) SAMPLE ESSAYS
1) ACT SCENE (Millie Felix, A Level Exam)
In the play, ‘Our country’s Good’ by Wertenbaker, the effect of theatre and its redemptive power seems not
only to change the convicts but also the officers as their opinions change surrounding the convicts and the
theatre. Wertenbaker’s intentions for this scene was to express both the redemptive power of theatre as well
as the importance of discipline and violence in the colony. As a performer, my intension for Ross is to show
his brutal and violent approach to discipline in the colony, which contrasts to Ralph’s more humanitarian
approach on an egalitarian society.
I would begin sitting at the table Centre stage with my feet upon the table and one hand behind my head to
show Ross’ egotistical behavior, whilst swigging deeply from my tankard as I would frown and purse my
lips, as I would say ‘so that’s the way the wind blows-‘ in a mocking tone and purposefully loud volume,
before nudging Campbell with my elbows and cackling maliciously. I would the stand behind Ralph’s chair,
creeping over with a large stride, my fists clenched in distain and my teeth would be gritted as I would lower
my head and slam my hands down dramatically on the line ‘where did the wee lieutenant learn to speak?’
which I would say in an aggressive tone and with an lengthened ‘s’ sound on ‘speak’ which would evoke the
effect of hissing, making Ralph flinch. However, on the line, ‘the ---- of a play is irrelevant!’ I would storm
downstage right, dragging my heels and my arms swinging furiously from my sides before barking, ‘even if
it teaches undubordation, disobedience, revolution?’ which I would say in a furious tone whilst throwing my
hands in front of Phillip to show my rage. Then I would childishly stomp towards the table and drag my
chair purposefully before sitting heavily and crossing my arms in frustration on the line, ‘I will not accept
this’ which would be said through gritted teeth. This would add to the total dramatic effectiveness of the
scene as the audience can see Ross’s negative attitude towards the theatre and his childish reactions to his
lack of status with this scene , something that as highly influential in Georgian society. Finally, I would
stand up dramatically with my eyes widened in rage so the whites can be seen, my teeth gritted and my
hands splayed upon the table as I would shout aggressively ‘You don’t take anything seriously’ as I would
maliciously point my finger directly towards Ralph as it would shake with rage. I would then kick my chair
over in fury on the line ‘order which became disorder’ as I would spit out the word ‘disorder’ and wipe my
mouth gutturally, showing ross; brutal and violent nature. I would then turn to Phillip, my body shaking in
rage an say in a soft but sinister tone with a menacing facial expression ‘I am going to write to the admiralty
about this’ before turning my head swiftly and storming out upstage left. Overall, I fulfilled my intensions of
showing Ross’ violent and animalistic behavior through his hate for Ralph and opposition towards the play.
, 2) ACT TWO SCENE SIX (Frankie’s Mock Essays)
As a director I would direct my performers to create a tense relationship between them all. At this point Liz
is being measured to be hanged by Ketch who she has previously shown a disliking to because firstly he is
the hangman and secondly he is Irish. At the time many brits hated the Irish due to the Irish renouncement.
This is clearly shown in the script by Liz being incorporative. As a director, after the line “I’m sorry” I would
direct Liz (who is already sat down) to look up at ketch with a contemptuous look and sneer at him
scathingly. Meanwhile Harry would be stood behind Liz with arms crossed looking around to show his
impatience and discomfort. Harry and Ketch’s relationship is interesting and Harry’s impatience would
reflect the fact he does not want to be associated with Ketch. The line “Hurry up” portrays his impatience.
Although Liz clearly dislikes Ketch, Ketch has a slightly more warm attitude towards Liz, when saying the
line “I won’t hurt you” to show his sympathetic nature I would direct him to kneel down to Liz who would
still be stubbornly sat on the floor with a closed body language; crossed arms and knees tightly clasped in to
her chest. The fact that Ketch is sympathetic towards Liz says a lot about him as a character, Liz is a whore,
a convict and now a thief. Any other person in the 18 th Century would have treated her like filth. Harry is
obviously finding the situation a hard one to be in and it triggers memories of when he was a hang man.
When “Tom Barret’s Voice” comes through as a director I would want Harry to all of a sudden uncross his
arms and tilt his head to the right while saying the line “You’ve hung a boy” to show their practically non-
existent relationship with Harry, Liz and Ketch would look at him with worry and concern. Ketch then
would start looping rope around his arm while saying the line “That was a terrible mess” ad after Harry
would once again show his dislike towards Ketch by saying “Measure him Freeman!” in a snappy tone of
voice while sharply turning his head to avoid eye contact with Ketch. To show his dislike towards Liz he
shouts “get up you bitch” leaning down to her putting his hands on his knees and shouting in her ear. This is
how Liz would have been expected to be treated in an 18th Century society by a man.
6/10
- Focus on the Question, mention ‘relationship’ throughout the essay
- Increase range of performance skills and analyse
As a performer I would perform the role of ketch as a sympathetic character towards both Liz and Harry.
My first line “I don’t want to do this” I would be staring at the rope lying on the floor and fiddling with my
hands I would say the line in an hesitant tone to show that I am uneasy with the idea of hanging a woman.
When saying the line “I have to measure you” I would turn to look at Liz and say it with a look of anguish in
my eyes at this point I would have between Liz and I. On the line “I’m sorry” I would look at the floor to
show my ashamedness at having to hang her. I would say it with a soft tone of voice to show my gentle and
nurturing side. On the line “I won’t hurt you” I would walk towards Liz kneel down and rest a hand on her
shoulder to show my softening sympathetic attitude towards her. While saying the word “wont” I would
shake my head to try and prove that I was a man of my word . Although being Irish and the hangman would
mean that no one would like or trust Ketch. After Harry’s violent attempt to get Liz standing up I would
submissively shuffle towards her to take her measurements. To show my softening attitude I would start to
try and comfort her by saying “Maybe he’ll change his mind” I would say this line with a cheery tone and
with an upward inflection on the word “Mind” to show the rhetoricism. After trying to get her to speak or
look at me or just react anyway I would turn to Harry who would have his back turned looking out to and
would walk towards him with a sudden surge of confidence and say “it’s wrong , Mr Brewer. It’s wrong” I
would say this with strong projection a confident tone and an air of defensive for Liz. After Harry’s reaction
I would realise my place and submissively agree and walk back to Liz to continue my measurements. Only
being the hangman I would know my place and continue with my job as if anyone else from the convicts had
reacted as Ketch as they would’ve been punished or worse, hung.
9/10
- Does not deviate from the question.
- Focused and considered
- Appropriate ideas at creating the effect.
- More context: why is he so submissive at being the hangman
Tips: close the question and show why you’re closing it.
9) SAMPLE ESSAYS
1) ACT SCENE (Millie Felix, A Level Exam)
In the play, ‘Our country’s Good’ by Wertenbaker, the effect of theatre and its redemptive power seems not
only to change the convicts but also the officers as their opinions change surrounding the convicts and the
theatre. Wertenbaker’s intentions for this scene was to express both the redemptive power of theatre as well
as the importance of discipline and violence in the colony. As a performer, my intension for Ross is to show
his brutal and violent approach to discipline in the colony, which contrasts to Ralph’s more humanitarian
approach on an egalitarian society.
I would begin sitting at the table Centre stage with my feet upon the table and one hand behind my head to
show Ross’ egotistical behavior, whilst swigging deeply from my tankard as I would frown and purse my
lips, as I would say ‘so that’s the way the wind blows-‘ in a mocking tone and purposefully loud volume,
before nudging Campbell with my elbows and cackling maliciously. I would the stand behind Ralph’s chair,
creeping over with a large stride, my fists clenched in distain and my teeth would be gritted as I would lower
my head and slam my hands down dramatically on the line ‘where did the wee lieutenant learn to speak?’
which I would say in an aggressive tone and with an lengthened ‘s’ sound on ‘speak’ which would evoke the
effect of hissing, making Ralph flinch. However, on the line, ‘the ---- of a play is irrelevant!’ I would storm
downstage right, dragging my heels and my arms swinging furiously from my sides before barking, ‘even if
it teaches undubordation, disobedience, revolution?’ which I would say in a furious tone whilst throwing my
hands in front of Phillip to show my rage. Then I would childishly stomp towards the table and drag my
chair purposefully before sitting heavily and crossing my arms in frustration on the line, ‘I will not accept
this’ which would be said through gritted teeth. This would add to the total dramatic effectiveness of the
scene as the audience can see Ross’s negative attitude towards the theatre and his childish reactions to his
lack of status with this scene , something that as highly influential in Georgian society. Finally, I would
stand up dramatically with my eyes widened in rage so the whites can be seen, my teeth gritted and my
hands splayed upon the table as I would shout aggressively ‘You don’t take anything seriously’ as I would
maliciously point my finger directly towards Ralph as it would shake with rage. I would then kick my chair
over in fury on the line ‘order which became disorder’ as I would spit out the word ‘disorder’ and wipe my
mouth gutturally, showing ross; brutal and violent nature. I would then turn to Phillip, my body shaking in
rage an say in a soft but sinister tone with a menacing facial expression ‘I am going to write to the admiralty
about this’ before turning my head swiftly and storming out upstage left. Overall, I fulfilled my intensions of
showing Ross’ violent and animalistic behavior through his hate for Ralph and opposition towards the play.
, 2) ACT TWO SCENE SIX (Frankie’s Mock Essays)
As a director I would direct my performers to create a tense relationship between them all. At this point Liz
is being measured to be hanged by Ketch who she has previously shown a disliking to because firstly he is
the hangman and secondly he is Irish. At the time many brits hated the Irish due to the Irish renouncement.
This is clearly shown in the script by Liz being incorporative. As a director, after the line “I’m sorry” I would
direct Liz (who is already sat down) to look up at ketch with a contemptuous look and sneer at him
scathingly. Meanwhile Harry would be stood behind Liz with arms crossed looking around to show his
impatience and discomfort. Harry and Ketch’s relationship is interesting and Harry’s impatience would
reflect the fact he does not want to be associated with Ketch. The line “Hurry up” portrays his impatience.
Although Liz clearly dislikes Ketch, Ketch has a slightly more warm attitude towards Liz, when saying the
line “I won’t hurt you” to show his sympathetic nature I would direct him to kneel down to Liz who would
still be stubbornly sat on the floor with a closed body language; crossed arms and knees tightly clasped in to
her chest. The fact that Ketch is sympathetic towards Liz says a lot about him as a character, Liz is a whore,
a convict and now a thief. Any other person in the 18 th Century would have treated her like filth. Harry is
obviously finding the situation a hard one to be in and it triggers memories of when he was a hang man.
When “Tom Barret’s Voice” comes through as a director I would want Harry to all of a sudden uncross his
arms and tilt his head to the right while saying the line “You’ve hung a boy” to show their practically non-
existent relationship with Harry, Liz and Ketch would look at him with worry and concern. Ketch then
would start looping rope around his arm while saying the line “That was a terrible mess” ad after Harry
would once again show his dislike towards Ketch by saying “Measure him Freeman!” in a snappy tone of
voice while sharply turning his head to avoid eye contact with Ketch. To show his dislike towards Liz he
shouts “get up you bitch” leaning down to her putting his hands on his knees and shouting in her ear. This is
how Liz would have been expected to be treated in an 18th Century society by a man.
6/10
- Focus on the Question, mention ‘relationship’ throughout the essay
- Increase range of performance skills and analyse
As a performer I would perform the role of ketch as a sympathetic character towards both Liz and Harry.
My first line “I don’t want to do this” I would be staring at the rope lying on the floor and fiddling with my
hands I would say the line in an hesitant tone to show that I am uneasy with the idea of hanging a woman.
When saying the line “I have to measure you” I would turn to look at Liz and say it with a look of anguish in
my eyes at this point I would have between Liz and I. On the line “I’m sorry” I would look at the floor to
show my ashamedness at having to hang her. I would say it with a soft tone of voice to show my gentle and
nurturing side. On the line “I won’t hurt you” I would walk towards Liz kneel down and rest a hand on her
shoulder to show my softening sympathetic attitude towards her. While saying the word “wont” I would
shake my head to try and prove that I was a man of my word . Although being Irish and the hangman would
mean that no one would like or trust Ketch. After Harry’s violent attempt to get Liz standing up I would
submissively shuffle towards her to take her measurements. To show my softening attitude I would start to
try and comfort her by saying “Maybe he’ll change his mind” I would say this line with a cheery tone and
with an upward inflection on the word “Mind” to show the rhetoricism. After trying to get her to speak or
look at me or just react anyway I would turn to Harry who would have his back turned looking out to and
would walk towards him with a sudden surge of confidence and say “it’s wrong , Mr Brewer. It’s wrong” I
would say this with strong projection a confident tone and an air of defensive for Liz. After Harry’s reaction
I would realise my place and submissively agree and walk back to Liz to continue my measurements. Only
being the hangman I would know my place and continue with my job as if anyone else from the convicts had
reacted as Ketch as they would’ve been punished or worse, hung.
9/10
- Does not deviate from the question.
- Focused and considered
- Appropriate ideas at creating the effect.
- More context: why is he so submissive at being the hangman
Tips: close the question and show why you’re closing it.
