Dialogue-main

1. Dialogue-main Text I Pre-Reading Questions General Reading Background Notes Text Comments on the Text Exercises

2. Dialogue-main Text II Text Comprehension

3. Pre-Reading Questions1 Pre-Reading Questions Think about the following questions before you read the text. 1. How is Shakespeare related to Stratford? Is Stratford the place where he wrote most of his plays? Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon. 2. Is the text about Shakespeare’s life and career? If so, what do you expect to be told? Yes, but nothing seems to be certain about the dramatist’s life and career.

4. Pre-Reading Questions 2 3. Is the text about Shakespeare’s personality? If so, what kind of person do you expect Shakespeare to have been? 4. Is the text about Shakespeare’s works? If so, which of Shakespeare’s plays would you like to see commented on and analyzed? This is an open question.

5. General Reading General Reading Go over the text rapidly and pick out the words or the sentence in each paragraph which best sums up the main idea of the paragraph. Para. 1 — the last sentence Para. 2 — the first sentence Para. 3 — the first sentence Para. 4 — travelled abroad Para. 5 — the last sentence

6. General Reading Para. 6 — the first sentence Para. 7 — Nothing remains of the writer’s own handwriting but his signature.

7. Background Notes1 Background Notes William Shakespeare William Shakespeare (26 April, 1564 (baptised) — 23 April, 1616) was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England’s national poet and the “Bard of Avon”. His surviving works, including some collaborations, consist of about 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other poems. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.

8. Background Notes1

9. Background Notes1 Stratford-upon-Avon It is a market town and civil parish in south Warwickshire, England. It lies on the River Avon, 22 miles (35 km) southeast of Birmingham and 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Warwick. It is the largest and most populous town of the District of Stratford-on-Avon, which uses the term “on” to indicate that it covers a much larger area than the town itself. The town is a popular tourist destination owing to its status as birthplace of the playwright and poet William Shakespeare.

10. Background Notes1

11. Background Notes1 Elizabethan English Elizabethan English refers to the English used during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558—1603). It belongs to Early Modern English (sometimes abbreviated to EModE), the stage of the English language used from the beginning of the Tudor period until the English Interregnum and Restoration, or from the transition from Middle English in the late 15th century to the transition to Modern English during the mid to late 17th century.

12. Background Notes1 grammar school A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school. The original purpose of mediaeval grammar schools was the teaching of Latin. Over time the curriculum was broadened, first to include Ancient Greek, and later English and other European languages, natural sciences,

13. Background Notes1 mathematics, history, geography, and other subjects. In the late Victorian era grammar schools were reorganized to provide secondary education throughout England and Wales; Scotland had developed a different system. Grammar schools of these types were also established in British territories overseas, where they have evolved in different ways.

14. Background Notes1 Richard III Richard III is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1591. It depicts the Machiavellian rise to power and subsequent short reign of Richard III of England.

15. Background Notes1 The Taming of the Shrew The Taming of the Shrew is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1591. The main plot depicts the courtship of Petruchio, a gentleman of Verona, and Katherina, the headstrong, obdurate shrew. Initially, Katherina is an unwilling participant in the relationship, but Petruchio tempers her with various psychological torments — the “taming” — until she becomes a compliant and obedient bride.

16. Dialogue-Text1 A Man from Stratford — William Shakespeare On March 25th, 1616, fifty-two-year-old Master William Shakespeare signed his will leaving the famous legacy of his “second best bed and furniture” to his wife and the greater part of his estate to his married daughter, Susanna Hall. It was the will of a comfortably off man, for the income from the estate probably amounted to about ￡200 a year, which was a lot of money over three hundred and sixty years ago. For historians, the most interesting part of the will was that signature, because it and

17. Dialogue-Text2 and other signatures are all we have left of the handwriting of the world’s literary genius. There is no country where Shakespeare’s work is not read with something very likeawe because there is something fascinating about a man whose work was so much better than that of anyone else. Yet in spite of the thousands of books that have been written about this amazing writer, almost every detailof his personal life is supposition rather than fact. Historically speaking, Shakespeare lived only yesterday but his activities, like those of nearly every playwright of his day, are so vague that he could have been born in Roman times.

18. Dialogue-Text3 Shakespeare’s birthplace, the little town of Stratford-upon-Avon, in Warwickshire, had made a thriving business out of its most famous citizen for a long time. It is a popular place for tourists from all over the world, even though many of them would have the greatest of difficulty in understanding Shakespeare’s Elizabethan English. However, he has such a fine reputation that it is well worththe journey just to be able to look at the swans that swim on his river, and gaze at the cottage where Anne, his wife, lived before their marriage, and then to see his plays at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

19. Dialogue-Text4 To plot Shakespeare’s life is to become involved in a kind of detective story where there are plenty of clues but very little else. Nobody even knows the exact date of his birth, although the register of the Parish Churchconfirms that William Shakespeare was baptized there on April 26th, 1564. Nor can it be proved that he went to the excellent local grammar school, although he probably did as there was nowhere else for him to go. At the age of 18 he married Anne Hathaway, a woman eight years older than himself, and they had three children. Then in 1585 this young married man apparently left Stratford and his family, for there is absolutely no record of him for seven long years.

20. Dialogue-Text5 Exactly what happened to William Shakespeare during those seven years has puzzled scholars ever since. There are different theories, but of all the probabilities the most likely one is that he travelled abroad, spending a good deal of time at sea. Shakespeare wrote with great conviction about storms and shipwrecks and eating the hard ship’s biscuits “with aching teeth”.

21. Dialogue-Text6 What is quite certain is that, during the time Shakespeare lived there, Stratford-upon-Avon was visited by a great number of theatrical companies. It can never be proved, but it seems quite possible that the young Shakespearesawsome of these performances, realized in a flash that this was the life for him and talked one of the managers into giving him a job. At least nobody questions the fact that he can next be traced in 1592 in London, earning his living as a dramatist and generally getting well known in the theatre. Whatever else had happened during the lost years, plays that followed, such as Richard III and TheTaming of theShrew

22. Dialogue-Text7 Shrew, were proof that the greatest literary career of all time had begun. Shakespeare soon became sufficiently well known for managers and other influential people to refer to him in writing. We know that as well as working on old plays he rapidly made a name for himself as an author of entirely new ones and also performed as an actor at court. During his fifteen years as a working man of the theatre, Shakespeare wrote more than thirty plays as well as marvellousverse.

23. Dialogue-Text8 After his death on April 23rd, 1616, Shakespeare left behind a mass of questions that experts have been trying to answer ever since. What was the source of Shakespeare’s amazingly detailed knowledge of so many different subjects? Who was the beautiful but apparently heartless “dark lady” who seemed to have first inspired him and then caused him a lot of sadness? So far we do not know. There have even been foolish attempts to prove that William Shakespeare’s plays were in fact written by someone else.

24. Dialogue-Text9 When one remembers that he lived in an age when printing was still very expensive and that it was rare for anything written to be thrown away, it seems astonishing that nothing remains of the busy writer’s own handwriting but the signature. Sooner or later someone may discover a bundle of letters that will answer the questions that have puzzled so many people for so long. From an article in the magazine Look and Learn

25. legacy legacy: n.money or property that someone receives from someone else after his or her death e.g.: The two brothers split on inheriting the legacy of their parents. The poor man received a small legacy from his aunt whom he had never met before.

26. amount to amount to: figures, sums, etc. equal a total when added together e.g.: His debts amount to five thousand dollars. The total sales of the company amounted to 3 million dollars last year.

27. literary literary: a. relating to literature e.g.: He is considered to be one of the twentieth century’s literary giants. Literary theory in a strict sense is the systematic study of the nature of literature and of the methods for analyzing literature.

28. awe awe: n. a feeling of great respect and liking for someone or something e.g.: He felt wonder mingled with awe at the Great Wall. Today most people still tend to hold scientists in awe.

29. amazing amazing: a.very good, especially in an unexpected way; surprisingly great e.g.: He’s an amazing player to watch. It was amazing that the boy was able to solve the problem so quickly.

30. supposition supposition: n. something that one thinks is true, even though it is not certain and cannot be proved e.g.: His version of events is pure supposition. We mustn’t condemn him on mere suppositions.

31. vague vague: a. unclear because someone does not give enough detailed information or does not say exactly what they mean e.g.: He was told not to be vague on matters of principle. The governor gave only a vague outline of his tax plan.

32. thriving thriving: a. very successful, very lively and profitable e.g.: A thriving community is highly connected, collaborative, caring and compassionate, and responsive to the needs of its members. The investigation paints a picture of a depraved yet thriving enterprise.

33. reputation reputation: n. the opinion that people have about someone or something because of what has happened in the past e.g.: It is impossible to calculate Shakespeare’s reputation in his own lifetime and shortly after. Your reputation may very well be your organization’s most important asset.

34. gaze gaze: v. look at someone or something for a long time, giving it all your attention, often without realizing you are doing so e.g.: You gaze into my eyes, and I know the feelings are true. With all the ambient light and the pollution of modern cities, delightful moments when you can lie and gaze at stars are rare.

35. plot plot: v. make a schematic or technical drawing of that shows how things work or how they are constructed e.g.: A computer is used to plot the movements of everyone in the building. He proposed to plot a graph to show the increase in sales figures of the company.

36. apparently apparently: ad.from appearances alone e.g.: The gentleman was apparently much surprised at the news. My mom had asked me to take out the trash, but apparently someone had already done it for me when I got there.

37. clue clue: n. evidence that helps to solve a problem, something that helps to find the answer to a problem or mystery e.g.: The research reveals that the hair on your head may give a clue to your health. His new declaration aired on TV gave little clue to his intentions.

38. confirm confirm: v. show that something is definitely true, especially by providing more proof; say that something is definitely true e.g.: The doctor needs to do more tests to confirm his diagnosis. I’m just calling to confirm your appointment tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.

39. conviction conviction: n. [uncountable] the feeling of being sure about something and having no doubts e.g.: It was a reasonable explanation, but his voice lacked conviction. He is in the full conviction that he will be promoted.

40. in a flash in a flash: without any delay e.g.: A smile happens in a flash, but its memory can last a lifetime. In a flash he remembered everything and a plan began to form in his mind.

41. trace trace: v.find someone or something that has disappeared by searching for them carefully e.g.: The mother had never given up her hope of tracing her missing daughter before she finally found her. Police are trying to trace a young woman who was seen near the accident.

42. sufficiently sufficiently: ad. to a degree which is as much as needed for a particular purpose e.g.: The function of the stomach is to digest food sufficiently to enable it to pass into the intestine. His income is not sufficiently great to support his whole family.

43. influential influential: a. having a lot of influence and therefore changing the way people think and behave e.g.: All these facts are influential in reaching a decision by the government. Most of us are much more influential than we know.

44. make a name for oneself make a name for oneself: achieve distinction, become prominent or well known e.g.: He has become the first African footballer to make a name for himself in Europe. Perhaps the best way to make a name for ourselves in the music industry is to get a music degree.

45. marvellous marvellous: a. extremely good, enjoyable, impressive, etc. e.g.: Let’s all give them a big hand for their marvellous creations. It would be really marvellous to see her again.

46. verse verse: n. [uncountable] words arranged in the form of poetry; [countable] a set of lines that forms one part of a song, poem, or a book e.g.: Latin verse remained completely incomprehensible to me. These Bible verses about love are for Valentine’s Day, a wedding ceremony, a romantic occasion, or just for sharing with a beloved friend.

47. a mass of a mass of: a large amount or quantity of something e.g.: We can evolve the truth from a mass of confused evidence. Setting to work, I buried myself under a mass of papers.

48. ever since ever since: (duration) continuously since a specified time or event, from then till now e.g.: He started smoking last year and has been coughing ever since. Apparently they have not stopped crying ever since the earthquake happened.

49. detailed detailed: a. containing or including a lot of information or details e.g.: He told us that a detailed list of their publications was available on request. The teacher provided her students with a detailed analysis of the learning situation.

50. inspire inspire: v. encourage someone by making them feel confident and eager to do something e.g.: A good play serves to educate and inspire the people. We should associate with the people who can inspire us.