Component 1: Drama

Component 1: Drama is a core part of the Pearson Edexcel A-Level English Literature course, focusing on the study of two plays: one Shakespeare play and one other drama text. This component assesses your ability to analyse dramatic texts critically, exploring themes, characters, structure, language, and performance aspects. It counts for 30% of the total A-Level qualification and is examined through a 2-hour 15-minute closed-book paper (Paper 1), where you answer two essay questions—one on each play. The Shakespeare play is compulsory, and you must also study a second drama text from a prescribed list, which may include works by writers such as Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, or Christopher Marlowe.

Studying drama is unique because plays are written to be performed, so you must consider how a text works on stage—including staging, lighting, sound, and actor interpretation—alongside literary analysis. This component develops your skills in close reading, critical evaluation, and understanding of dramatic conventions. It also connects to wider themes in English Literature, such as power, gender, tragedy, and comedy, and helps you appreciate how playwrights use form and structure to shape meaning. Mastery of this component is essential for achieving high marks in the A-Level, as it tests both your knowledge of the texts and your ability to construct coherent, analytical arguments under timed conditions.

To succeed, you need to engage deeply with your chosen plays, not just by reading them but by watching performances, exploring critical interpretations, and practising essay writing. The exam requires you to write about both plays separately, with no choice of questions—so you must be prepared to answer on any aspect of the text. This component also encourages you to think about historical and social contexts, as well as the playwright's intentions, making it a rich and rewarding area of study.