Text 1 Shakespeare as Actor and Playwright

No evidence has been found as yet to show what were Shakespeare's movements and activities during the years immediately following his departure from Stratford. It has been suggested that he may possibly have taught as a schoolmaster in the country or served for a time in a nobleman's household but the general opinion is that he went to London in 1587 to seek his fortune in a company of players.

Shakespeare can be traced in London from 1592 onwards, first as an actor and then as a reviser and writer of plays. There is evidence to show that as early as this date, when he was still only twenty-eight, his contemporaries were impressed and some of them indignant, about the quality and popularity of the work of this "upstart crow" (as Robert Greene described him). Shakespeare's first narrative poem "Venus and Adonis", dedicated to his patron Henry Wriothesley; was published in 1593 and met with a warm reception. By this time he had already written the three parts of "Henry VI" and from then onwards, the performances of his plays can be traced and dated. Writing in 1598 Francis Meres praised the work of "mellifluous and honey-tongued" Shakespeare.

Research has established Shakespeare's associations with companies of players and his partnership in various theatrical ventures.

From 1594 he himself was one of the Chamberlain's Men (called the King's Men from James I's accession), whose duties included the provision of entertainment at the Court, and it was for this company that many of his plays were written. In 1599 Shakespeare was a sharer in the Blackfriars Theatre and subsequently one of the proprietors of the Globe Theatre which was built on Bankside in 1599.

The poet's business ability clearly contributed to the success of his artistic achievements.

evidence — данные, служащие доказательством; movement — движение; activity — деятельность; departure — отправление, отъезд, уход; fortune — удача, счастье, судьба

to trace — прослеживать, обнаруживать, рассказывать подробно; onwards — вперед, далее, направленный вперед; reviser — исправитель (текста); ревизионный корректор; contemporary — современный; contemporaries — современники; indignant — негодующий; narrative — повествовательный; to dedicate — посвящать; mellifluous — сладкоречивый, медоточивый; partnership — товарищество; venture — рискованное предприятие, сумма, подвергнутая риску; entertainment — развлечение, увеселение; subsequently — впоследствии, после; business ability — деловые способности; achievement — достижение, свершение, окончание

Text 2

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