William Shakespeare, the greatest English poet and dramatist, was born on April 23, 1564 in Stratford-(up)on-Avon, Warwickshire, in England. He was the eldest son and the third child in the marriage. We know very little about the life of William, especially about his early years. At the age of seven the parents sent William to Stratford Grammar School where he studied for six years.
In 1577 William’s father, John Shakespeare fell into debt and sold the larger part of his property. He took William from school and for some time the boy helped his father in the trade. Nobody knows what he did between his fourteenth and eighteenth year. We know nothing about these five years of his life.
When still at Stratford William became well acquainted with theatrical performances because travelling companies of players often visited Stratford. Probably, Shakespeare also saw miracle plays in the neighbouring town of Coventry.
In 1582, when little more that eighteen, William married Anne Hathaway, a daughter of Richard Hathaway who belonged to a well-respected yeoman family. Ann was eight years older than her husband and the marriage was not a happy one. In 1583 their daughter Susanna was born and in 1585 their twins named Hamnet and Judith were born.
When William was about twenty-one, he left for London where he had many difficulties. There is a story that when Shakespeare reached London he went straight to the theatre to get some work there. He began by holding the horses of the fine gentlemen who came to see the plays. Later he called out the names of the actors and after a time he received a small part to act. But soon he tried to change old plays and he made them into something different and better. Then he started to write plays himself. Shakespeare is the author of 37 plays, 2 poems and 154 sonnets.
Упр. 10. Прочитайте текст еще раз и письменно ответьте на вопросы:
1. Where and when was William Shakespeare born?
2. What education did William Shakespeare receive?
3. Why did he leave school?
4. Where did Shakespeare become acquainted with theatrical performances?
5. How old was Shakespeare when he got married?
6. Was his marriage happy?
7. Where did Shakespeare get his first work when he reached London?
8. How did he become a playwright [pleirait] – драматург?
Вопросы для самоконтроля:
1. Как располагаются слова в словаре, если в них совпадают первые 2 буквы?
2. Что является признаком принадлежности слова к определенной части речи?
3. Что помогает определить, что данное слово является существительным? Глаголом? Наречием? Прилагательным?
4. Какой порядок слов в простом повествовательном предложении?
5. Какие категории слов могут иметь окончание –s? Как их отличить друг от друга?
6. Как переводятся на русский язык предложения с оборотом there is?
7. Что нужно сделать, чтобы предложение, содержащее оборот there is, превратить в вопрос?
8. Какое слово в цепочке существительных (the Institute lecture hall) является главным, опорным? Какую функцию выполняют остальные существительные цепочки?
9. В чем разница в употреблении слов some и any? В чем отличие в употреблении many и much, few и little?
10. Какая характеристика действия заложена в каждой из 4-х групп времен в английском языке? На примере любого глагола назовите формулы 4-х групп времен.
11. Какое действие передает Present Indefinite и какое – Present Continuous? Что в значении этих двух времен общее и чем они отличаются по значению друг от друга?
12. Как образуется вопрос и отрицание в Present Indefinite?
13. Как образуется утвердительная форма Past Indefinite? Как образуется вопрос и отрицание?
14. Как образуется Present Continuous?
15. Чем правильные глаголы отличаются от неправильных?
ЗАДАНИЕ НА I СЕМЕСТР
Знать ответы на все вопросы для самоконтроля (см. выше)
Выполнить письменно контрольную работу № 1.
