Complete the text by writing one word in each numbered gap.

Here are some more expressions taken from Shakespeare. They are all used in modern English. Discuss what you think they mean, in what type of situations would you use them?

He’s a tower of strength.

There’s method in his madness.

He’s more sinned against than sinning.

It’s neither here nor there.

He loved not wisely but too well.

If music be the food of love, play on.

26. How do you see the role of the theatre in the modern world? Has it changed a lot since Shakespeare’s time? Read the following conversation and say how the speakers understand it:

- criticize the way the play is staged;

- criticize the morality of the play;

- discuss themes that modern theatre should symbolize.

What’s your opinion on the questions discussed?

- Well, what did you think of the play?

- Terrible. I didn’t like the element of cruelty in the play. What about the scene where one of the patients has his glasses stolen and he’s on his hands and knees looking for them, and the others are standing around jeering at him. That was really sadistic.

- Well, that’s what like is like. As I see it, the theatre has got to be realistic, and deal with contemporary issues. It’s no use pretending that these things don’t happen. Violence and cruelty are features of our life. They concern all of us.

- I don’t agree. The vast majority of people live their lives without having such experiences. Except in the theatre. There’s too much emphasis on violence these days.

- Well, I agree with you but the theatre should reflect reality, not provide a means of escape from it.

- It all depends on what you mean by reality.

- But don’t you see? That scene you referred to symbolizes the helplessness of the individual in a society. It’s a universal reality of our day.

- Quite so.

- In my opinion, most people are not interested in their relations with society. Not for most of the time, anyway. They are most interested in personal situations, family rows, conflicts at the pffice, that kind of things. Many of them are really cruel.

- I think showing violence and cruelty on the stage has a bad effect on public morality. Crimes of violence have increased lately. People see these things performed and then go out and imitate them.

- That’s nonsense. There is no evidence that violence on the stage or on the screen influences people’s behaviour.

- Well, speaking for myself. I don’t go to the theatre for a lecture or because I miss violence. I go to see real people in a real situation.

- I can’t agree more.

27. Do you remember the last time when you went to the theatre? What theatre did you visit? Did you like the performance? Who was in the cast? Describe your last visit to the theatre using the following text as the model.

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