Prime Time 7, Coursebook plus Semester Self-checks

Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this son of York, And all the clouds that loured upon our house In the deep bosom of the ocean buried. Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths, Our bruisèd arms hung up for monuments, Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings, Our dreadful marches to delightful measures. Grim-visaged war hath smoothed his wrinkled front: And now, instead of mounting barbèd steeds To fright the souls of fearful adversaries, He capers nimbly in a lady’s chamber To the lascivious pleasing of a lute. But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks, Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass; I, that am rudely stamped, and want love’s majesty To strut before a wanton ambling nymph; I, that am curtailed of this fair proportion, Cheated of feature by dissembling Nature, Deformed, unfinished, sent before my time Into this breathing world scarce half made up – And that so lamely and unfashionable That dogs bark at me as I halt by them – Why, I, in this weak piping time of peace, Have no delight to pass away the time, Unless to spy my shadow in the sun, And descant on mine own deformity. And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover To entertain these fair well-spoken days, I am determined to prove a villain, And hate the idle pleasures of these days. (Act I, Scene i) Fact file History plays In a number of his plays Shakespeare dramatises historic events. As a writer of plays, he sometimes changes details such as dates to suit his dramatic intentions. The themes in this genre mainly centre around the fate of English kings, the struggle for power and just or unjust rule. Richard III is a central play in a cycle dealing with the War of the Roses, the red rose representing the House of Lancaster and the white one the House of York. F Fact file Soliloquy A soliloquy is a speech given by one person while he or she is alone on stage. It gives the audience insights into that character’s private thoughts. In the opening scene of Richard III the protagonist tells us that he puts on a false face when he is together with others. The audience can now concen­ trate on the effect this has on the other characters. Their expectations about the further course of the play are intensified. F Analysis of Richard’s character In order to find out more about Richard, make a list of the things he says about himself and his situation. The following questions may help you. • What can be said about Richard’s mood? • How does he describe his physical appearance? • How does he experience his shortcomings? • What are his plans and how does he justify them? • What does he reveal about his character? Watching the film version a) In groups, watch a film version of this scene. Analyse the cinematic devices used in it, including: • camera operations • camera movement • camera angle • visual symbols • film music • sound effects b) Comment on the film from your personal point of view. • Which aspects do you like? • Which aspects do you find interesting? • Which aspects are old-fashioned, timeless, up-to-date, etc.? Rehearse and recite Team up with two other people from your group/class and prepare this opening monologue for recital. Each of you takes a small section, rehearses it and then you recite the monologue together in class. 4  5  6  5 10 15 20 25 30 145 Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv