V. Literature

1. English literature

English writers stand high in world Literature. Shakespeare, Swift, Byron. Dickens and many others are dear to all those who love literature. Have you ever heard of a boy who hasn't travelled together with Gulliver or lived on a small island in the sea with Robinson Crusoe? Both young and old enjoy works by English authors which tell us about life and man. They teach the reader to love man, to struggle for all that is good and great, and to fight against all that is bad and low. We can say that the best works of English writers are, and will always be, a great school of life for those who read them.

Shakespeare was one of the greatest writers that ever put pen to paper. People in all countries enjoy his plays. We can say this, too, about the works of Byron arid Shelley, two great English poets. They loved freedom, and they tell their readers how people have. fought for it. In their works we read about a happy future. when people will live in peace and friendship all over the earth.

Among the books we read and enjoy there are many English novels. One of the first novels in the history of literature was writ-. ten in England in 1719; it was "Robinson Crusoe" by Defoe. Some-years passed, and Swift wrote his famous "Gulliver's Travels". In the middle of the century, Fielding became one of the greatest English writers.

At the beginning of the XIX century, the world heard about Walter Scott, who wrote historical novels. Today people often call Walter Scott the father of the historical novel.

Among the nineteenth century authors Dickens and Thackeray were, perhaps, the greatest. In their novels, Dickens and Thackeray described English life in those, days, and told people the truth about it.

Next to these great names stand the names of the three English women-writers, Jane Austen and the two sisters — Charlotte and Emily Bronte.

As you see, England has had many great writers. Poems and novels by English writers are translated into Russian, French, German and other languages.

TASK:

1. Answer the questions:

1. Who is this text about?

2. Do English writers really stsnd high in world literature?

3. What do works by English authors tell us about?

4. What do they teach their readers?

5. What can we say about the best works of English writers?

6. Who was the greatest English playwright?

7. What are the names of two great English poets?

8. What did Byron and Shelley tell their readers about?

9. Where was one of the first novels in the history of literature written?

10. What novel was it?

11. When was it written?

12. What other English novelists do you know?

2. Retell the text.

2. William shakespeare and the globe theater.

William Shakespeare was born at Stratford –upon- Avon in April, 1564. He was the third child, and the eldest son, of John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. His father was one of the most prosperous men of Stradford. Little is known of Shakespeare’s early life. In 1592 Shakespeare became suddenly famous as a playwright. In April, 1593 he published his poem Venus and Adonis. It was a great and lasting success, and was reprinted nine times in the next few years.

There was little playing in 1593. The theatres were shut during a severe outbreak of the plague: but in the autumn of 1594, when the plague ceased, the playing companies reorganized, and Shakespeare became a sharer in the lord Chamberlain’s company. By that time he had already written three parts of Henry VI, Richard III, Two Gentlemen of Verona , The comedy of Errors and The Taming of the Shrew. Soon afterwards he wrote the first of his great plays – Romeo and Juliet - and followed this success in the next three years with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Richard II, and the Merchant of Venice. By the summer of 1598 Shakespeare was recognized as the greatest English dramatist.

At Christmas 1598 the players of the lord Chamberlain’s company settled a new playhouse on the south bank of Thames. This playhouse was named the Globe. The expenses of the new building were shared by the chief members of the company, including Shakespeare, who was now a man of some means.

Shortly after the globe was opened, Shakespeare had completed the cycle of plays dealing with the whole story of the war of the roses with Henry V.

Since 1601 Shakespeare had been writing less and his name did not occur in the various lists of players after 1607. Shakespeare died at Stratford upon Avon on April 23, 1616.

When Shakespeare died fourteen of his plays had been separately published. In 1623 his fellow actors John Heming and Henry Condell with the co-operation of a number of printers, published a collected edition of thirty six plays in one volume, with an engraved portrait, and memorial verses by Ben Jonson and others.

TASK: