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OCR · GCSE · English Literature · Higher

Romeo and Mercutio's relationship

Q01.0 40 marks

Romeo and Juliet. Choose ONE question. In this extract, Romeo, on his way to Juliet, overhears his cousin Benvolio and his friend Mercutio talking about him.

Explore the ways in which Shakespeare presents the relationship between Romeo and Mercutio. Refer to this extract from Act 2 Scene 1 and elsewhere in the play.

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Marking points

  1. 1 Addresses the relationship between Romeo and Mercutio in both the extract and the wider play.
  2. 2 Uses relevant references or quotations to support interpretation.
  3. 3 Analyses Shakespeare's language, form and structure.
  4. 4 Uses relevant context to inform the interpretation.
  5. 5 Communicates clearly with accurate spelling, punctuation, vocabulary and sentence control.

Why this answer loses marks

Mercutio is talking about Juliet and helping Romeo and Juliet be together.

The examiner report notes this as a common misconception: at this point Benvolio and Mercutio still believe Romeo loves Rosaline; only the audience knows Romeo has fallen for Juliet.