Aspects of Tragedy and Aspects of Comedy: Companions to the Edexcel Shakespeare Critical Anthologies for AS/A Level
Essential Critical Anthology Companions tailored to your chosen Shakespeare text.
It allows pupils to engage with the critical articles in more depth and explore the various Assessment Outcomes in more detail
For each critical essay…
- Focused summaries and in-depth studies of key quotations provide model analyses to facilitate independent study.
- Relevant contextual notes widen students’ knowledge of AO3.
- Further reading studies analyse linked critical essays, encouraging students to form personal and developed interpretations.
As well as…Easy to use, engaging and supportive
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet and Othello are endorsed for the 2015 A Level Edexcel English Specification.
- Whole-anthology study mind maps compare critics’ views.
- Detailed exam advice ensures students know exactly what to expect.
- Sample essay questions for crucial exam practice!
Plus!
- Full glossary
- Suggested answers to all activities
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What do teachers say about this resource? (7231)
Detailed, scholarly and very well suited to the demands of the specification. The resource offers a genuinely rigorous critical framework that enables students to understand the anthology essays in depth, while constantly linking theory back to the play. It is a valuable companion for teachers who want to equip students with a confident grasp of AO5 in particular. I particularly liked the clarity with which each critic’s argument was summarised before being explored in relation to Othello. The division of quotations, analysis and reflective activities provides structure without feeling restrictive. The resource’s strength lies in its accessibility: difficult concepts such as ambiguity, tragic catharsis or the politics of race are reframed in a way that students can engage with. There is very little to dislike. The resource supports the development of analytical skills by modelling how to interpret theory, how to connect it with textual detail and how to challenge it where appropriate. It teaches students not just what critics say, but how to think critically themselves. Matches the specification closely - it places AO5 at its centre while also supporting AO1, AO2 and AO3. Its focus on the anthology essays ensures that students understand the critical landscape expected by the exam board. The detailed contextual explanations, especially those relating to tragedy, Renaissance thought and attitudes towards race, help students to interpret the play in line with the specification’s expectations.
Fantastic. An excellent resource - very detailed, and content is thoughtfully structured. Initial notes for teachers are very useful. Within each section it is great to have a summary, as well as contextual insights to aid understanding, before the more detailed analysis - really breaks things down. Good breadth of activities too, and helpful to have further reading signposted to challenge the more able. I like the scope for both support but also extension, and guided analysis too. Tables are great for processing thoughts, and fully unpicking different questions and how the interpretations can aid insight - and show differences of opinion, enabling debate as own lines of argument are reached. Mindmaps are great for pulling knowledge together and establishing links. Exam advice is very helpful. Very focused and clear. Links closely to exam questions. Explicitly links to the specification, and makes ideas clear for both teacher and student. Lots of focus on Assessment objectives, and how to meet demands.
This is a brilliant resource - it's helpful for both students and staff, particularly staff who might be new to the teaching of the anthology/Shakespeare/A Level literature. I think it is incredibly comprehensive without being too complicated in layout, format and language.
I really liked the way the general essays also have links to the suggested wider reading. Having key quotes from one of the wider reading suggestions, and then including activities that directly have students compare the primary source to the wider reading source is really helpful in broadening students' understand of critical commentary and critical thought. It helps to highlight to students that there are many different schools of thought, and that one isn't necessarily superior over the other. The inclusion of context is also really helpful as it gives students a bit more knowledge needed to solidify their understanding of the critics, particularly with reference to perhaps more obscure influences.
The glossary is incredibly helpful.
Indicative content is very detailed and I like the inclusion of links to further research.
This is a highly valuable resource. It's comprehensive and encourages students to look at each critical source individually as well as build connections across them, which I think will really help pupils full get why critical study is so crucial, particularly with regards to Shakespeare.
'Great quality! Explanations are secure and detailed and useful evidence is supported throughout... The questions attached to each section are fair and context is built in well... This is one of the most valuable resources I've come across as it is specific to the board, spec, module and text. It actively encourages students to think!'
This is an excellent resource and has certainly helped me navigate the new AO5 element of the Edexcel A2 exam." K Jagger, English Teacher and Independent Reviewer
What do teachers say about this resource? (7234)
Layout is impressive. Good breadth of sections. Introduction to criticism is excellent - really beneficial for students. Active learning tasks are well designed. Clear explanations. Love the essay summaries, and then the focus on key sections, and linked active tasks. Good variety... Impressive breadth of critical resources - can be used for Hamlet but also for students studying other tragedies... Mindmaps are excellent... Really hits the critical reading assessment objective. Deconstructs material carefully. Challenging content but well scaffolded. Good breadth of tasks to secure understanding... A fantastic resource. Really helpful. Will enable students to access critical AO. Challenging content but well-scaffolded and developed.
What do teachers say about this resource? (7882)
Exceptionally high quality... This companion addresses students and teachers in an appropriately academic way, picking up on the style of the anthology... It provides appropriate additional information expressed in a non-patronising but very clear style, and has excellent developmental tasks for both individual and group work. Very closely related to the Edexcel anthology.
What do teachers say about this resource? (7225)
An excellent resource. Unlike the majority of A Level resources, this is not only matched to the requirements of the exam board but is suitable even for A/A* students. Too many A Level resources are written in a GCSE style and are only really helpful for getting to a C: this one is genuinely scholarly... For A Level, I rarely bother with paid-for resources published by educational companies - this is the first one I've found that was genuinely worth the money!
This was a well-structured resource that gave a good overview and break down of the critical articles in the anthology. It helpfully highlighted particular aspects and sections of each article and gave a developed response.
It was good to see that there were activities to help pupils interact with each of the critical readings, and that there was some variety in the activities that were provided. I also felt that the way in which the readings were grouped together and the mindmaps that were included at the end of the resource helpfully linked the different critical perspectives.
It allows pupils to engage with the critical articles in more depth and explore the various Assessment Outcomes in more detail. It also allows them to focus on some of the significant aspects of each critical reading which will support weaker learners who might otherwise struggle to make sense of a full critical essay.
What do teachers say about this resource? (7972)
The guide is really useful – I especially think the context aids students understanding... Easy to use, engaging and supportive... It’s a great addition to the classroom and supports students' understanding of the play... Great price and helpful!