2026 AQA AS ENGLISH LITERATURE B 7716/1A Paper 1A Merged Question Paper + Mark Scheme

2026 AQA AS ENGLISH LITERATURE B 7716/1A Paper 1A Merged Question Paper + Mark Scheme

Section A
Answer one question from this section.
Either
0 1 Othello – William Shakespeare
Explore the significance of aspects of dramatic tragedy in the following passage in
relation to the play as a whole.
You should consider the following in your answer:
• the presentation of Iago’s villainy
• the interaction between Othello and Desdemona
• other relevant aspects of dramatic tragedy.
[25 marks]
IAGO (aside) He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said,
whisper. With as little a web as this will I ensnare as
great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do. I will
gyve thee in thine own courtship. You say true, ’tis so
indeed. If such tricks as these strip you out of your
lieutenantry, it had been better you had not kissed your
three fingers so oft, which now again you are most apt
to play the sir in. Very good: well kissed, an excellent
courtesy! ’Tis so indeed. Yet again your fingers to your
lips? Would they were clyster-pipes for your sake!
Trumpet
(Aloud) The Moor! I know his trumpet.
CASSIO ’Tis truly so.
DESDEMONA
Let’s meet him and receive him.
CASSIO Lo, where he comes!
Enter Othello and attendants
OTHELLO
O, my fair warrior!
DESDEMONA My dear Othello!
OTHELLO
It gives me wonder great as my content
To see you here before me. O, my soul’s joy!
If after every tempest come such calms,
May the winds blow till they have wakened death,
And let the labouring bark climb hills of seas,
Olympus-high, and duck again as low
As hell’s from heaven. If it were now to die,
’Twere now to be most happy; for I fear
My soul hath her content so absolute
That not another comfort like to this
Succeeds in unknown fate.