TOUCHSTONES 1
What do I know? What do you already know about William Shakespeare? Do you know any of his plays or poems? Do you know where he is from? Do you know why he is famous?
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ACTIVITY
Go to your activity book (see page 111) and complete the Shakespeare knowledge download activity.
Who Is Shakespeare?
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William Shakespeare is often regarded as the best writer in the English language. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in England in 1564. He wrote 38 plays and about 160 poems. Shakespeare’s plays have been adapted and performed thousands of times, all around the world. Both his plays and his poems remain popular to this day.
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To find out more about William Shakespeare, complete the Who Was William Shakespeare? project on page 194.
Shakespeare has united the powers of exciting laughter and sorrow not only in one mind, but in one composition.
Ben Jonson
Samuel Johnson, Preface to Shakespeare
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He was not of an age, but for all time!
He was naturally learned; he needed not the spectacles of books to read nature; he looked inwards, and found her there.
John Dryden, ‘Essay of Dramatic Poesy’
When I read Shakespeare I am struck with wonder That such trivial people should muse and thunder In such lovely language.
D.H. Lawrence
Which of these quotes do you like best? Which quotes do you agree with? Are there any you disagree with?
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