Notes by John Ryan
Notes, resources, and study guides.
Elizabeth Bishop’s Poetry Linking with Life
The Filling Station: Here direct reference can be made to Bishop’s mother being permanently hospitalized for mental illness in 1917 when Bishop was young. There is no mother present in the p...
Macbeth: Act 1, Scene 6 – Summary & Analysis
Duncan and his party arrive at Macbeth’s castle and the king speaks of the castle’s pleasant surroundings while thanking Lady Macbeth for her hospitality; he then asks to see Macbeth, who he...
Identifying Your Audience – English Comprehension Guide
Previously we identified the importance of realising who your audience is and how this is central to shaping not only what you write about but how you write it. In this resource we will look...
Othello: Act 3, Scene 3 – Summary & Analysis
Desdemona assures Cassio that she will do everything possible to regain favor with Othello. He soon enters, and Cassio departs as he is too nervous to argue his case suitably. Iago declares ...
Prescribed Poetry: Concluding Your Answer
Coherence of delivery: The marker looks for you to consistently answer the question without disruption or interruption, hence you have to ensure that your answer does not divert from addres...
Macbeth: Act 3, Scene 2 – Summary & Analysis
Lady Macbeth, located somewhere else in the castle, is troubled and sends a servant to get her husband. Macbeth enters and admits he too is unsettled, as his mind is ‘full of scorpions’ as t...
Breaking Down the Question – English Composition Guide
Previously we have looked at the importance of considering the PCLM marking scheme that your answer will be graded by when approaching the question for the Part B and Composition sections. B...
Macbeth: Act 2, Scene 3 – Summary & Analysis
A porter moves through the hallway, going to answer the knocking. He grumbles about the noise, mocks the person doing the knocking and, after comparing himself to a porter at the gates of he...
Macbeth: Act 3, Scene 1 – Summary & Analysis
Banquo, in the royal palace in Forees, wonders about Macbeth’s impending coronation and thus the prophecies of the weird sisters; the witches said Macbeth would be king so will their second ...