WHAT DO YOU KOWN ABOUT WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, AKA "THE BARD OF AVON" (as he was born in Stratford-upon-Avon)?
Who was Shakespeare? What did he do? When did he live? Why is he famous?
William Shakespeare was a successful English playwright (writer of theatre plays). He was also a poet and an actor. He lived during the late 16th and early 17th centuries and died at the age of 52 on 23rd April 1616 (on the same day of his birth, people believe).
Shakespeare died over 400 years ago, but his ideas, language, and stories continue to live through culture, education, and everyday speech.
For many actors, one of the greatest achievements of their careers is playing a part in a Shakespeare play, especially the role of Hamlet, often called "playing the Dane".
The role of Hamlet is very demanding (hard) for any actor because of its long soliloquies, where the character speaks his thoughts aloud directly to the audience.
These speeches require exceptional emotional control, clarity, and psychological depth, which is why only great actors can truly deliver.
- Watch some British actors discuss the phrase "to be or not to be".
- Watch some scenes from Hamlet:
Ophelia's rejection (actor Andrew Scott)
The graveyard scene with the skull: "Alas, poor York" (actor Jude Law)
To be or not to be (actor Keneth Branagh)
Ophelia:
One of the tragic figures in the play is Ophelia, Hamlet's girlfriend. Ophelia is a fascinating character who is mentioned and reinvented in lots of other art work, such as the Millais painting below and the song "The fate of Ophelia", by Taylor Swift.
Other influences: Did you know that the Disney classic The Lion King was inspired by Hamlet?
Let's celebrate Valentin'e Day with stories, poems or rhymes and songs. Send cards to the people you love. Sing inspiration on the words below.
Listen to a classic love song, from Nat King Cole: L-O-V-E. Then write your own acrostic poem about love.
Many other love songs have nice lyrics so you can learn the language of love: adjectives, hyperboles or exaggerations ("yours until the rivers all run dry ... until I die"), possessives (my, yours, mine) and comparisons or metaphors.
> In "Baby I'm yours" (cover by Arctic Monkeys) notice how big this love is.
And why not writing a love letter / card (a Valentine) to someone special?
And do you know the story of Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare? Read and watch it on the following sites: LearnEnglishTeens or LearnEnglish Kids
If you want a modern version of the story, you can watch Romeo+Juliet, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. See the trailer below.
