plumiHamlet: OCR A‑Level English Literature questions
Every OCR A-Level English Literature exam question on Hamlet, 2021–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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All 18 questions on Hamlet, as a list
- June 2025, Component 1, Q2(a) (15 marks): and (b). (a) Discuss the following passage from Act 5, Scene 2, exploring Shakespeare’s use of language and dramatic effects.
- June 2025, Component 1, Q2(b) (15 marks): ‘The brutality and confusion of the play’s ending is unsettling.’ Using your knowledge of the play as a whole, show how far you agree with this view of the play
- June 2025, AS Component 1, Q2(a) (30 marks): ‘In the play Hamlet retaliation does more harm than good.’ How far and in what ways do you agree with this view of the play Hamlet?
- June 2025, AS Component 1, Q2(b) (30 marks): ‘Ophelia is drawn into a corrupt world through no fault of her own.’ How far and in what ways do you agree with this view of the role of Ophelia in the play Ham
- June 2024, Component 1, Q2(a) (15 marks): and (b). (a) Discuss the following passage from Act 3 Scene 3, exploring Shakespeare’s use of language and dramatic effects.
- June 2024, Component 1, Q2(b) (15 marks): ‘A play in which characters are preoccupied with justice and morality.’ Using your knowledge of the play as a whole, show how far you agree with this view of th
- June 2024, AS Component 1, Q2(a) (30 marks): ‘A play focused on ambition and betrayal.’ How far and in what ways do you agree with this view of the play Hamlet?
- June 2024, AS Component 1, Q2(b) (30 marks): ‘More man of action than dreamy intellectual.’ How far and in what ways do you agree with this view of the role of Hamlet in the play Hamlet?
- June 2023, Component 1, Q2(a) (15 marks): and (b). (a) Discuss the following passage from Act 2 Scene 2, exploring Shakespeare’s use of language and its dramatic effects.
- June 2023, Component 1, Q2(b) (15 marks): ‘Ideas and images drawn from the theatre are central to the play Hamlet.’ Using your knowledge of the play as a whole, show how far you agree with this view of
- June 2023, AS Component 1, Q2(a) (30 marks): ‘In this play all families are dysfunctional.’ How far and in what ways do you agree with this view of the play Hamlet?
- June 2023, AS Component 1, Q2(b) (30 marks): ‘In some ways Horatio is the real hero of Hamlet.’ How far and in what ways do you agree with this view of the role of Horatio in Hamlet?
- June 2022, Component 1, Q2(a) (15 marks): and (b). (a) Discuss the following passage from Act 1 Scene 3, exploring Shakespeare’s use of language and its dramatic effects.
- June 2022, Component 1, Q2(b) (15 marks): ‘The play Hamlet demonstrates many ways in which parents seek to control their children.’ Using your knowledge of the play as a whole, show how far you agree wi
- June 2022, AS Component 1, Q2(a) (30 marks): ‘The play Hamlet shows the unreliability of human love.’ How far and in what ways do you agree with this view of the play Hamlet?
- June 2022, AS Component 1, Q2(b) (30 marks): ‘Fortinbras and Laertes, the revengers, are portrayed as self-important and cruel.’ How far and in what ways do you agree with this view of the roles of Fortinb
- November 2021, Component 1, Q2(a) (15 marks): and (b). (a) Discuss the following passage from Act 3 Scene 1, exploring Shakespeare’s use of language and its dramatic effects.
- November 2021, Component 1, Q2(b) (15 marks): ‘There is very little room for love in the court at Elsinore.’ Using your knowledge of the play as a whole, show how far you agree with this view of the play Ha
Questions, mark schemes and examiner’s reports are © OCR, from their published past papers. Plumi isn’t affiliated with any exam board. Want whole papers? Every OCR A-Level English Literature paper.
Rather write your answers by hand on iPad? Plumi marks them against the same mark schemes.