Unit 3 Young William Shakespeare

Unit 3 1. Text Young William Shakespeare Thought Questions: 1. What do you know about Shakespeare? What amusing anecdotes did you learn about Shakespeare? 2. Does the world really know much about his personal life? 3. Does Shakespeare show his talent in his early years?

Thought Questions:4. Is Shakespeare diligent in his studies? 5. Is he pleased with Stratford, his native place, as a working environment? 6. What’s the main idea of this text?

Shakespeare’s grave

Shakespeare’s funerary monument in Stratford-upon-Avon

Shakespeare’s birthplace

Hall’s Croft

Stratford-upon-Avon’s clock tower

The Royal Shakespeare Theatre alongside the River Avon

Anne Hathaway’s cottage

A class discussion about William Shakespeare: His life and play writing 围绕课文和平时的阅读积 累到的知识11

1.1 Retelling Shakespeare lived in the late 1500s and early 1600s. So little is known about his personal life. But many scholars attempt to unearth the details of his life. Jennifer Bassett, the writer of this text, tries to tell the world more imaginary anecdotes about Shakespeare, through the mouth of Toby, a fictional character, in her book The Life and Times of William Shakespeare.12

1.1 Retelling Young Shakespeare, who lived in Stratford in a rural area in England, was a naughty boy like many other children. He liked to play tricks on his neighbors. But he showed a great interest in reading from his early childhood. He was always diligent in his studies.

1.1 Retelling Although he was not reconciled to the prospect of living in the countryside all his life, he had to get married at a young age, as arranged by his parents. This marriage brought him a couple of children, including two twins. He was temporarily bathed in the enjoyments of family life.14

1.1 Retelling Occasionally companies of players would come to put on plays at Stratford. Shakespeare went to see the plays with great interest with his close friend Toby.

1.1 Retelling But he was not readily content with such a mediocre life. He wanted to leave away from home and try his destiny in London. However, his wife, Anne Hathaway, did not agree. They even quarreled about it. Shakespeare determined to leave without his family. He hoped Toby would go together with him.16

1.1 Retelling So they went to seek a new life in London. As they were both strangers to the big city without having much money with them, they had to quickly find a job to support themselves. Shakespeare had a single-minded will to become an actor. So he started to work for the Queen’s Men at a small theatre called the Curtain. His friend Toby had to work with him, as he temporarily had no other means of living.17

1.1 Retelling At first, Shakespeare played small parts in the plays. But he acted wholeheartedly. He buried himself in his work. In the meantime, he started to write plays. He made great efforts

to train himself, acting devotedly, reading widely, meeting other writers, and making friends.

1.1 Retelling Later, he was invited to work for Lord Strange’s Men at the Rose theatre. In that theatre troupe, he got more chance of developing his career as an actor and playwright. Soon he became fairly famous in the profession and among the audience.

1.2 Structure of this textThis passage can be roughly divided into three parts: Part 1 (ll. 1-43) Part 2 (ll. 44-87) Part 3 (ll. 88-120)

1.3 Possible difficult words, phrases and sentences(l. 12) ran like the wind 飞快跑走；迅速逃走； 风驰电掣般逃走 More examples: sleep like a log (sleep like a baby) 睡得香 drink like a fish 大量饮 酒