Poet pens riposte to examiners who axed her 'violent' work

Published on Saturday 6 September 2008 19:36

ONE of Britain's leading poets has hit back after her work was axed by exam chiefs.

The poem 'Education For Leisure' by Carol Ann Duffy was dropped from an English GCSE syllabus following complaints from teachers and fears that it might encourage teenagers to harm themselves and others.

The work begins with the line, "Today I am going to kill something" and describes the thoughts and actions of an individual who feels unappreciated, wants to "play God" and who carries a bread knife.

In response to the ban, the Glaswegian poet has penned a riposte entitled 'Mrs Schofield's GCSE', which makes references to numerous acts of violence committed in Shakespeare's works.

It states: "You must prepare your bosom for his knife said Portia to Antonio in which of Shakespeare's comedies? Who killed his wife, insane with jealousy? Who said is this a dagger which I see?"

Duffy's agent Peter Strauss said: "What she seems to be saying is that some of Shakespeare's stuff is a bit dangerous too.

"It's saying look at what's been written previously before you criticise."

The Mrs Schofield of the poem refers to Pat Schofield, an external examiner at Lutterworth College, Leicestershire, who complained about 'Education For Leisure' and welcomed the ban on the work she described as "absolutely horrendous".