Treasure house for students of the plays

Visitors to the little house in Henley Street now approach from the garden, having passed through the reception foyer of the modern Shakespeare Centre. The centre itself was opened in 1964 as an international tribute to the 400th anniversary of the bard’s birth.

Visitors take their time, get a sense of period by seeing the costumes used in the BBC television productions of the plays and see the work of celebrated sculptors and artists. Next door, in the main building, headquarters of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, the glass frontage has been engraved with Shakespearean characters by John Hutton, who did the Saints on the west window of Coventry Cathedral.

The library here is an amalgamation of the Trust’s own rare books and those of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Here you’ll find acting editions of the plays and other theatrical material in 70 languages, including Japanese, Icelandic, Tamil and Armenian.

Most of the books are not available for general browsing. Visitors see catalogues of the titles and request that specific works are brought up from the humidity-controlled strongroom in the center’s basement. The Trust also maintains a records office with archives going back to medieval times and, at the other extreme, video tapes of productions of the plays.

But the Shakespeare Centre sees its leading role as a teaching and study centre. Upstairs there is space for lectures and seminars. Students come from all over the world to listen or do original research while looking down over the house and garden of Shakespeare’s childhood.

Answer the questions:

1. What places connected with W. Shakespeare are there in Stratford-on-Avon? What is Henly Street famous for? Where is Shakespeare buried?

2. What can you say about William Shakespeare’s parents? What were William’s early years in Stratford?

3. Speak about William Shakespeare’s life according to the main periods of his life:

early years (1564-1582);

marriage (1582);

the lost years (1586-1592);

the Great Globe (1599);

the King’s Man, romance and reconciliation (1603-1608);

final years and retirement (1611);

death (1616).

4. What can you say about the ceremony of William Shakespeare’s birthday in Stratford-upon-Avon?

5. What is the aim of Shakespeare Centre and the Library?

Talking points:

1. How could it happen that William Shakespeare having only six-year-school education and in spite of all difficulties of his life could become the greatest writer famous the world over? What do you think about it?

2. Does school always help people to become great? Are there any other sources to get knowledge? What is the parents’ role in giving education? What is your opinion?

3. The Shakespeare centre sees its leading role as a teaching and study centre. How do you understand it? Do you know any other centres like this? Is there any difference between the Shakespeare Centre and any Public Library? What is it, if so?

23. Romeo and Juliet are two of the most famous lovers in history, and their story is one of the greatest tragedies. Before you read the summary of Shakespeare’s play, say what you know about the story.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14