BritishEnglish

Clossic
Thesearethree of Shakespeare's greatest,
and most
die -
tragic,plays.In eachstorythe maincharacters
cruelLord f4acbeth, unhappyKingLearandthe doomed
lovers,RomeoandJuliet.They die because
they,or others,
areweak,greedyor very foolish.But,likerealpeople,
they havegood qualities and momentsof greatness too.

Easystarts 200 headwords

Level 1 300 headwords Beginner
Level 2 600 headwords Elementary
Level 3 1200headwords Pre-intermediate

Cover photograph @ Getty lmages:BridgemanArt Library / Private Collection

IS B N 978-1-105f

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ffi www.penguinreaders.com
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Three GreatPla.r* J

of ShakesDeare I
'William
Shakespeare

Level4
Retold by Karen Holmes
SeriesEditors:Ardy Hopkins and JocelynPotter
 Pearson Education Limited
Edinburgh Gate, Harlow,
EssexCM20 2JE, Englmd Contents
and AssociatedCompaniesthroughout the world.

Pack ISBN: 97 8-l 4058-5221-0 Activities I iv

Book ISBN: 97 8-l -4058-5085-8
CD-ROM ISBN: 978-14058-5086-5 I
Play I Romeoand Juliet (Part 1)
Activities 2 t2
First edition published 2000
This edirion published2007
Romeoand Juliet (Part 2) r4
Activities 3 26
357910864
Play 2 Macbeth (Part l) 28
Text copyright @ Penguin Bools Ltd 2000 Activities 4 34
This edition copyright @ PearsonEducationLtd200T Macbeth (Part 2) 36
Illustrations by Activities 5 44
Santiago Caruso (RomeoandJulie)
Gabriel Ir6n Bernstein(Mafiah)
Mrcelo Sosa(King Lear) Play 3 King Lear (Part 1) 46
Activities 6 56
Setin I l/13pt A. Garamond King Lear (Part2) 58
Printed in China
s\VTClO3 Talk about it 72
'Write
about it 73
Producedfor the Publishersby AC Estudio Editorial S.L.
ProjeccThe Right Qualities? 75
All rights reserued;nopart ofthis pablication may be reprodace4sared in a retrieuarsyxem,
or trarcmixed in anyform or.b1 an1 means,ehctronie, mechanical,photocopling recording'orothmrise,
without thepior uitten permissionof the publishers,

Publishedby ?earsonEducation Ltd in associationwith Penguin Books Ltd,

both companiesbeing subsidiariesofPearson Plc.

For a completelist ofthe titles availablein the PenguinActive Readingseriespleasewrite to your local
Pearsonlongman office or to: Penguin ReadersMarketing Departmenr, pearsonEducation,
Edinburgh Gate, Harlow, F*sexCM20 2JE, England.
 Activities1 PLAY PART
1
E

Wftl Whatt the book about?

Discussthesequestions. Romeoand Juliet
1 what ptaysby shakespeare
doyou know?Namesomefamouscharacters
from 'Oh, Romeo,Romeo,why isyour name Romeo?'shesaid.
theseptays.
Whatdoyou knowaboutthem? 'Leauelour famibt and changelour name.'
2 Whichof thethreeplaysin thisbookarethesepictures
from?
WriteRomeoandluliet,Macbethor KineLear.
f his is the story of the love of Romeo and Juliet. Romeo was the son of Lord
I Montague, the head of the Montague family. Juliet was the daughter of
l.ord Capulet.
The Montagues and the Capulets were rwo important families in the city of
Verona who had had a terrible quarrel. Even their servantshated each other, and
they fought and cursed each other whenever they met.
One day, rwo servants from the house of Capulet saw two servants from the
house of Montague and they began to fight. Benvolio, a friend of Romeo, saw
the fight. He liked peaceand quiet, so he hated to seepeople fighting.
'Stop!' he cried, but it was alreadytoo late. Tybalt, a young and angry
Capulet, had arrived in the street.
'Help me to stop this fight,'Benvolio cried to him.
Tybalt pulled out his sword. 'I hate all Montagues and I hate you!' he cried,
and he began to fight Benvolio.
The noise and the shouting brought officers of the law to the sceneof the
fight. Then Lord Capulet and his wife arrived, and Lord Montague and his wife.
The headsof the two families pulled out their swords.
Suddenly Prince Escalus,the Prince ofVerona, appeared.
'You men, you are like wild animals!'he said to them angrily. 'Your quarrels
spoil the quiet of our streets.Listen to me! If you make trouble in the streets
of Verona again, you will pay for it with your lives! Now' everyone must leave
this place.'
ffi Whathappens
first? Lord and Lady Montague and Benvolio left last.
Look at the words in italics at the top of page 1 and the pictures on pages3-2. '\7here is Romeo?' askedLady Montague. 'I am very glad that he did not take
what problems do you think Romeo and Juliet's love for each other wil] cause? part in this fight.'
Make notes. 'Very early this morning,' Benvolio said, 'I could not sleep.I walked out into
the woods on the west of the ciry and I saw Romeo there, alone. I went towards
him, but when he saw me, he hid among the trees.I decided not to follow him.'
Votes

quarrel/'kworel/(n/v)an angryargument
(v/n)to useoffensivelanguage,or wordsthat are intendedto bringsomeonebad luck
curse,&s:s/
sword /so:d/(n) a long, sharpknife that was usedin battle
 Three Great Plays ofShakespeare PIay1 - Romeoand Juliet (Part 1)

Romeot father, Lord Montague, said, 'Many people have seenRomeo early in
the morning, weeping alone.'when the sun comes up, he goes into his room and
he shuts out the daylight. I am afraid for him.'
'Do you know why he is unhappy?' Benvolio asked.
'He will not tell me,' Lord Montague replied.
'Look! Here he comes,' said Benvolio. 'Go home. I will trv to find out whv he
is unhappy.'
He quickly learned rhe reasonfor Romeot sadness.
'I love the beautiful Rosaline,but she does not love me,' Romeo said.
Benvolio tried to help his good friend. 'Forget her. Dont think about her,'
he said.
'How can I forget her?' Romeo asked.
'Look around you. Look ar other beautiful women.'
''When I look at other women, I seethat Rosaline is the most beautiful
of all!'
In another srreerin verona, count Pariswas talking to Lord capulet,
Juliett
father. Paris was the princet nephew.
'I would like to marry Juliet. \Mhat do you say?'Paris asked.
'She is my only child and she is too young, said Capulet. 'Ler rwo more
summers passbefore she marries. But you can speakto her and try to win her
love. Every year at this time I give a great feast. It will take place tonight. All my
friends will come to my house and dance. You must come roo - then you can
talk to Juliet.'
Capulet called a servanrand said, 'On this piece of paper there is a list of
names.Find thesepeople and ask them to come ro dinner at my house tonight.'
Then he walked away with Paris.
'This is going to be quite difficult for me becauseI cannor read,' the servant
thought.
Benvolio and Romeo came along the streer.They were still talking about
Romeot unhappiness.
'Please,sir, can you read?'capulett seryanrasked.He gave Romeo the list of
names,
Romeo read out the list for him: 'Martino and his wife and daughters;Anselm
and his beautiful sisters;Mercutio and his brother Valentine; Lucio and Helena:
Rosaline ... tJThereare rhesepeople going to meet?'
At my mastert house tonight,' rhe servant said.
'.W-hois your master?'Romeo asked.

weep/wirp/(v)to cry
feast /first/ (n/v) a large meal for a lot of people, to celebrate a special occasion
master /'morsta/ (n) the man who is the servants, emptover
 Three Great Plays ofshakespeare Play I - l{onreo ancl Juliet (Part 1)

'My master is the great and rich Lord Capulet. If you are nor a Monrague, 'He is a fine man, almost a perfect manl' cried the nurse. 'He is the finest man
come and drink wine with us all.' in Verona!'
'This is the chance I wanted for youl'said Benvolio happily. 'Go there. 'You will seehim tonight at our feast,'Lady Capulet said. 'He needsa wife'
compare your Rosalinewith orher women. You will seethar she is nor more ,rnd you will make his life complete.'
beautiful than them.' a
'You are wrong,' Romeo replied. 'Since the world began, the sun has never 'l'he evening came. Romeo and his friends, Mercutio and Benvolio, put on hats
seena woman as beautiful as Rosaline.I will go to the Capulett feast- but only ro hide their facesand went to the feastat the Capulets' house.
to look at Rosaline.' But Tybalt heard Romeo'svoice.
a 'l know that voice!'he said. 'That man is a Montague.'W'hatis he doing
Juliet was with her mother, Lady Capuler, and her nurse. here?'He called to his servant, 'Fetch my swordl'
'You were a prerry little baby when I came here,' said the nurse. 'Now I have ''What is the matter?' askedLord Capulet.
one wish. I want to live long enough ro seeyou married!' 'That man is a Montague. He is our enemyl'
'l want to talk ro you about marriage,' Lady capulet said to her daughter. 'ls it young Romeo?'
'Juliet, do you wanr to find a husband?' 'Yes,'Tybaltsaid.
'l have not thought about it very much,' answered 'Let him stay.The people ofVerona say that he is a good young man, and he
Juliet.
'Here in verona, younger girls are alreadyimportant ladies and mothers. I will lVe must entertain our
is behaving like a gentleman tonight. Don't look so angry.
tell you now that Count Parishopes ro win your love.' guests.'
 'fhree
Great Plays ofShakespeare l)lay I - Romeo and Juliet (Part l)

Tybalt was very angry bur he had to obey his uncle.

At that momenr, somerhing wonderful happened ro Romeo; he saw a
beautiful girl. She was lovely, sweer,happy and good. As he watched her, he
forgot about Rosaline.Now he was truly, deeply in love.
He went to her and touched her hand. 'Your hand is too soft for my rough
touch,' he said. 'But my lips are ready to touch your gentle hand with a kiss.; He
kissedher hand. 'You have lips, too,' he said.
Juliet found that she was in love with him, and so they kissed.
The nurse came ro them. 'Your morher wants ro speakto you,' she said to
Juliet.
'Vho is her mother?' askedRomeo.
'Her mother is Lady Capuler,' rhe nurse replied.
'Oh, no!' Romeo thought. 'I have fallen in love with rhe daughter of my
enemy!'
Everyone began to leave,and Romeo went with them. Juliet watched him go.
tl
'come here,nurse,'shesaid. 'who is that gendemanover there?Go
and ask
his name.'
The nurse came back and said, 'His name is Romeo. He is a Montague, the
only son oFyour grearenemy.
a
--:
Later that same night, Romeot friends searchedthe streetsof verona for him.
Romeo was standing below Juliet's lighted window when he saw her there.
'It is Juliet!' he said quietly. 'oh! Ir is my love! she is as beautiful as the sun in
the sky. She is looking up at rhe srars,but her eyesare brighter than they are.The
birds will seethem and think that it is alreadyday,time.'
Juliet looked out of her window and restedher face on her hand. She was
thinking of Romeo. She did not know that he was there, listening.
'Oh, Romeo, Romeo, why is your name Romeo?'she said. 'Leaveyour familv
and changeyour name. If you cannot, I will leavethe Capulets.Ir is only your
name thar is my enemy.But what is important about a name?If a rosehad another
name' it would still smell sweet.change your name so we can be together.'
'call me "Love",' Romeo called up to her. 'That will be my name. I will never
be Romeo again. I hate my name becauseit is your enemy.'
'How did you ger there?'Julierasked.'The walls are high.'
'Stone walls cannot keep out love,' Romeo said.
Juliet was afraid. 'if my family seeyou here, they will kill you,' she said.
'If their hatred ends my life,' said Romeo, 'then I will die. I do not care. I
do
not want to live without your love.'

hat red / ' h c r t r r d /( n ) a f e e l i n g o f h a te

 'l'hree (lreat Plays of Shakespeare
'Do you love me? I know that you will say "yes". But tell me the truth.'
'Lady, I promise by the moon rhar rouches the tops of those fruit trees
with silver.'
'Oh! Don't promise by the moon,'Juliet said. 'The moon changesevery
month. I do not want your love to change like the moon.'
'\W4ratshall I promise by?' Romeo asked.
'Do not promise. You make me happy, but this love has come very suddenly.
I must go now.'
'No! \Wait!' Romeo cried.
At that momenr the nurse called.
'I can hear a noise,' said
Juliet. 'Sweet Romeo, stay here for a moment. I will
come back.'
She went inside, but soon she returned.
'Dear Romeo,' she said, 'if you truly love me and wish to marry me, send a
messagetomorrow. I will send someone to collect your message.Tell me where
and at what time you will marry me and my life will be yours. I will follow you,
my lord, acrossrhe world.'
The nurse called again.Juliet went in and rhen came out again.
'Romeo!'
'My sweet?'
At what time romorrow shall I send someone to you?' she asked.
At nine o'clock,' Romeo replied.
'My messengerwill find you. It is almost morning, so I must let you go. Good
night! Good night! I am sad to leaveyou, but it is a sweetsadness.I will not stop
saying "Cood night" until tomorrow.'
She went back into her room.
'Let sleeprest on your eyes,'said Romeo, 'and peacein your heart. I wish thar
I could rest in such a sweetplace.' He turned away.'l must go to Friar Lawrence
and tell him about Juliet,' he said to himself. 'He will help me.'
Friar Lawrencewas a man of Goa. no-.1 and Juliet both k'ew him. Early the
next morning, he was picking plants outside his cell. He knew a lot about plants.
He used them to make sick people better, or to help tired or ill people sleep.
\7hen he saw Romeo running towards him, Friar Lawrence was very
surprised.
t rut h / t r u : 0 / ( n ) t h e t r u e f acts a b o u t so m e th in g
f riar / 'f r a r c / ( n ) a m e m b e r o f a g r o u p o f r e lig io u s m e n wh o h a d few possessi ons
c ell / s c l / ( n ) a s m a l l r o o m with a b e d in a b u ild in g fo r r e lig io u s peopl e
Ronreo and Juliet (Part I )
Play I
'Why are you here so early?'askedthe friar. 'Young men sleeplate in the
rrrolning.Can't you sleep?\fere you thinking of Rosaline?'
'No, I could not sleep,but I was not thinking about Rosaline.I have
lirrgortenher name and all the unhappinessthat went with it. I must tell you
wlrrrt happened. Last night I went to a feast at my enemy'shouse.There I fell in
'We want you
l.rvc with the beautiful daughter of Lord Capulet, and she loves me.
r() lllarry us today.'
'oh! vhat a changel' cried Friar Lawrence.'Yesterdayyou loved Rosalinel
Now you tell me that you love someoneelse.I do not like it. It is too sudden.'
'Don't be angry with me. Juliet loves me, and Rosalinedoes not. Pleasemarry
rrstoday.'
'Rosalineknew that you were not really in love,' said the wise friar. 'So I will
nrarry you. This marriagemay turn the hatred betweenyour two families into love.'
a
Mercutio and Benvolio were searchingfor Romeo. Mercutio was a member of
l)rince Escalust family, and one of Romeo'sfriends'
'Romeo was not at his father'shouse last night,' Benvolio said. 'Tybalt is
Iooking for him. He is angry becauseRomeo went to the Capulets' feast,and he
wants to fight him!'
Then Romeo arrived. He looked very happy.
'Vhat has happened to you?' Mercutio askedhim.
Before Romeo could answer,the nurse and her servant arrived.
'Go to my father'shouse,' Romeo said to Benvolio and Mercutio. 'l will
firllow you soon.
He waited until they had gone, then he spoke to the nurse.
'Tell Juliet,' said Romeo, 'to go to Friar Lawrence this afternoon. He will
marry us in his cell. My man, Balthazar,will meet you in one hour behind the
church. He will bring you a ladder.Tonight I will climb up to Juliet'.s room.'
'\X/ill Balthazarkeep your secret?'
'Yes,' Romeo replied. 'He is a good servant.'
'Paris wants to marry my lady Juliet, but I know that you will make her
h"ppy,' the nurse said.
'Goodbye,' Romeo said. 'Give my dearestlove to Juliet.'
'I will, a thousandtimes,' she promised.
Juliet was waiting for the nurse to return.
'Ohl Here she comes! Dearest nurse, are you bringing me news?Have you
met him? \7hat does he say about our marriage?'
'Can you visit Friar Lawrence today?' askedthe nurse.
'Yes,'Julietsaid.
 Three Grear Plays ofShakespeare Play 1 - RomeoandJuliet (Part l)

'Then go to his cell. Romeo is waiting there to make you his wife. Ah, that llverything seemedblack for Romeo. His dear friend was dead and Tybalt
has brought the blood to your facel Now I must go and fetch a ladder. Your lrrrtcdhim more than ever.The prince would punish them for quarrelling in the
Romeo will climb up into your room tonight.' strcetsof Verona and for Mercutiot death'
'Dear, good nurse!'Julietsaid. 'fhen Tybalt came back.
a 'Tybalt is alive, and my friend Mercutio is dead!' cried Romeo. 'Now I do not
That same afternoon, the friar married Romeo and Juliet. (irre what I do. One of us will die with Mercutio.'
'Heaven smiles upon this wedding,' Friar Lawrence said to them. 'I hope that There was a terrible fight berween Romeo and Tybalr, and Tybalt fell dead.
there will not be trouble larer.' 'Escape,Romeo!' cried Benvolio. 'People are coming. The prince will be
'I do not care,' Romeo cried. irngry,and he will punish you with death.'
-As
'Great and sudden love can bring great sadness,'the friar replied. the unhappy Romeo ran away,the prince, the Montagues and the capulets
rrrrived.
A little later on the same day, Benvolio t.r.utio were talking together. "il/ho started this quarrel?'askedthe prince.
'Mercutio,'said Benvolio, 'ler us go "lO
away.The Capulets are somewherein Lady capulet stood weeping over rhe body of rhe dead Tybalt as Benvolio
thesestreetsand I do not wanr ro meer them. They will want to fight.' tried to explain.
He was right. Suddenly Tybalt and his friends came inro rhe street.Tybalt and 'Romeo tried to stop the fight bemeen Tybalt and Mercutio but he could not.
Mercutio started to quarrel. Then Romeo came along the srreetand Tybalt began 'lybalt killed Mercutio, then Romeo killed Tybalt''
to shout at him. Lady capulet did not believe him. 'Benvolio belongs to rhe Montague family.
'You are my enemy!'Tybalt cried. 'Pull our your sword!' He is lying. Romeo killed Tybalt and he must not live.'
'I do not want to be your enemy,' Romeo replied. 'l love the Capulet name as 'I will have to punish Romeo for Tybalt's death,' said the prince. 'He must
much as I love my own name.' leavethe city and never return. If I find Romeo in Verona, he will die!'
But Tybalt wanred ro fight. 'Pull out your sword!' he shouted again to Romeo.
'l will not quarrelwith you,'Romeo said.
Mercutio was surprised. He did nor wanr Romeo to be friendly with Tybalt.
'I will fight you instead,' he shouted to Tybalt, and a fight began.
'Stop, gentlemen,' Romeo cried. 'The prince told us not to fight in these
streets.'
He tried to stand berween them, but Tybaltt sword went under Romeo'sarm
and wounded Mercutio. Tybalt ran away.
'I am wounded!' cried Mercutio. A curse on both your families! Fetch a
doctor!'
'Be brave, man!' said Romeo. 'l hope it is not a bad wound.'
'It is not very deep, but it is bad enough. Look for me romorrow and you
will have to find my tomb. \7hy did you stand between us?Tybaltt sword passed
under your arm. Help me into a house, Benvolio.'
Soon afterwards,Benvolio returned. 'Oh, Romeo,' he said, 'brave Mercutio is
dead.'

wound / w u : n d / ( v / n ) t o h u r t so m e o n e ,e sp e cia llywith a kn ife o r gun

t om b / t u : m / ( n ) a p l a c e , u su a llya b o ve th e g r o u n d , wh e r e a d e ad body i s put

10
 ThreeCreatPlaysof Shakespeare

Wereyouright?
$$ffi,ruflfi{ f[ Languagein use
'Don'tbeangrywith me.
Look back at your notes in Activity 1.2.Which two people feel happy about the Lookat the sentenceson the right.Then
tove between Romeo and Juliet? Why? not to
RomeoaskedFriarLawrence
rGportthesepeople'sspeech,usingone
of the verbsbelow be angrywith him.

advised allowed ordered warned

Wffi Whatmoredid you learn?

Arrangea dinnerparty for the eight peoptein the boxes.Wherewill they sit
aroundthis table?Eachpersonmust sit betweentwo peoplewho they canbe
friendtywith.

inel.r,IL:ti*: ['Gil Friar Lawrence l" !q.99"eql-"l_l

Lord Montague

_--lU f c".,",e"'i'l I won'l cause trouble

wifh Romeofonight.

1 B envol i o..... the servants

2 The Prince of Verona Tvbalt and Benvolio

3 B envol i o..... Rom eo. . . . . . ,

4 LordCaputet CountParis
Now comptete these sentencesabout the dinner party.Write the names.

1 " . . ....h a sn o e n e mi e sa t th e ta b l e . 5 Tybatt

2 .. . , . .....a n d cannotsi t nextto eachother
because
they are in lovewith the samewoman E What's next?
3 L o rdCapuletc annots i t n e x tto .,... .. ......... Look at the words in italics on Page 14 and the pictures on Pages15-24,
who (/)witl die?How?

4 to rd M ont aguec ann o ts i t n e x tto .......,.........." . t i lrriarLawrence.

-'1
or z i- Romeo.
5 .... . .. a n d would liketo sit nextto each s i I Juliet.
other,but that woutdcausea lot of problems! 4 -i CountParis.
12 r3
 PLAY PART
2 Play I - Romeoand Juliet (Parr2)
E

RomeoandJuliet
'Letmeloohat you again.Let m! armsholdyoufor
the kst time. I will stayherewith youforeuer'

waswairingfor the night.

J uliet
'Come,gentlenight!'shesaid.'Bringme my Romeoand let me hold him in
|
-myarms.And when he dies,takehim and cut him into little stars.He will make
th. f".. of heavenlook very fine. Everyonewill lovethe night. Ah, herecomes
my nurse.Haveyou broughtthe ladder?'
The nursecamein carryinga ladder.
'Vhy areyou weeping?'Juliet asked.
'Tybaltis dead,'shesaid.'Romeokilledhim!'
'No!'Julietcried.'Don'tsaysucha terriblething.'
'It is true. I sawthe wound on Tybalt'sbody.Romeokilled him and now he
must leavethe ciry.Oh, Tybalt!Tybaltwasan honestgentleman!'
'Tybaltwantedto kill my husband.Now my husbandis alive,and Tybalt is
dead.but Romeomust leaveVerona.Thesewordsmeandeathto me. I cannot
livewithout him.'
'Go to your room,' saidthe nurse.'I will find Romeofor you. I know where
he is. He is in Friar Lawrence'scell.'
'Oh, find him! Givehim thisring.Tellhim to comeand sayhis lastgoodbye
to me!'
o
At the same time, Friar Lawrence was trying to help Romeo.
'The Capulets want the prince to kill you,' the friar said. 'But he has only
ordered you to leaveVerona.'
'Never! Let me die instead,' Romeo cried.
'Stay calm. The world is great and wide.'
'There is no world for me except Verona. Juliet is here. Let me die if I cannor
stay with her. Give me poison or a sharp knife. Let me die!'
'Don't say that. You are talking like a madman,' the friar said.
The nurse arrived. 'I have come from Lady Juliet,' she said. 'Vhere is
Romeo?'
'He is here,' the friar replied. 'His tearsare making him crazy.'
'Juliet is the same.She just weepsand weeps.'
'Tell me,'said Romeo. 'Does she think I am a murderer?Does she still
love me?'

t4 t5
 'l
hree (lrcat l)lays ofShakespeare Play I - Ronrcoand Juliet (l)an 2)

'She does not say anyrhing. She calls out your name and then Tybalt's name,'
the nurse said.
Romeo was very unhappy. He tried to drive his sharp dagger into his heart,
but the friar stoppedhim.
'Stop! Are you a man?' Friar Lawrence asked.'You cry like a woman. You
behavewildly like an animal. I thought you were srrong. If you kill yourself,,you
will kill your lady. She lives for you. Be strong, manl Go to Juliet and help her.
Then, early tomorrow morning, you musr leaveVerona and go ro Mantua. Stay
there until the prince forgivesyou. Nurse, go ro your lady. Tell her that Romeo
is coming to her.'
'Yes,'saidRomeo.
'Here, sir,' rhe nurse said.
Juliet wants you to have this ring.' df,l
'Go now,' the friar said to Romeo. 'Leave for Manrua romorrow. I will send rr;l]I

your servant there with messagesfor you.'

a
That night, Romeo climbed up rhe ladder into Juliett room. It was a srrange
night for the new husband and wife. They were wonderfully h"ppy, but very
frightened.
At the first light of day, Romeo had to leave.
'Must you go now?' said
Julier. 'It is still nighr.'
'Look, love!'said Romeo. 'The light is shining through the clouds in the east,
and the starsare pale now. Daylighr is waiting on rhe mountain tops. I musr go
now and live - or stay and die.'
Juliet was frightened. 'Go now!' she said. 'Quickly! Go!'
The nurse came into the room. 'Your mother is coming!'she said.
'Goodbye, my love,' Romeo said. 'Give me one kiss and I will go.'
'I am afraid,'Juliet said to her nurse as he left. 'I dreamed I saw Romeo at the
bottom of a tomb. Oh, pleaselet him come back ro me!'
Lady Capuler enteredJuliet's room. She and her husband had decided rhat
they wanted Juliet to marry Paris.
'Daughter, why are you srill in bed?'she asked.
'l am not well,'Juliet replied.
'You are still weeping becauseof Tybaltt death,' her mother said. 'lt is wrong
that his murderer is srill alive. I will tell a friend in Mantua about Tybalt! dcath,
and he will kill Romeo.'

dagger /'dega/ (n) a short, pointed knife, used to harm peopre

16 t7
 'f lrree (lreat
Plays of Shakespeare Play I - Romcoand Juliet (l)art 2)

Juliet did nor wanr her mother ro know about her marriage to Romeo, so she
said' 'I will never be happy unril I seeRomeo again and he is punished for the
death of my cousin.'
'My child,' Lady Capulet said, 'Ler us think of happier things. Early on
'l will make you my wife on Thursday. Until then, goodbye.' He went out
,rn,l lcli Juliet alone with the friar.
'( )h, shut the door,' she cried, 'and then come and weep with me. Nobody

Thursday morning, Count Pariswill marry you at St Peter'sChurch.' ..ur lrclp me! Nobody can offer me hope! If you cannot think of a plan to help
'He will not!' cried Juliet. 'Tell my father it is too soon. I will not marry yer.' rrrr',I wrrnt to die.'
'Writ, daughter,' the friar said. 'I think I can help. You say that you will kill
'Here comes your father. Tell him yourself.'
y,,rrrself if you have to marry Paris.Then perhapsyou can pretend to be dead for
Lord capuler came into the room. 'what is wrong?' he said. Are you still
weeping?Has your mother told you about your wedding to paris?' ,r sl rol t ti me.'
'Yes,sir,' said Lady Capulet. 'I told her, but she will nor obey.' 'l will do anything if I can stay true to my dear love, Romeo.'
'I do not understand.she should thank us. \7e have found her a fine husband.' '( io home. Tell your mother and father that you will marry Paris.Tomorrow
'I cannot thank you for something that I will hate,' said it Wednesday.Go to bed alone tomorrow night. Dont let your nurse stay with
Juliet. yorr. When you are in bed, drink this liquid. You will feel cold and sleepy'Your
Lord Capuler was very angry. 'On Thursday, you will go with paris ro St
Peter'sChurch, or I will take you there by force.' rkirr will grow pale and you will not breathe. For forry-rwo hours you will seem
'Please,father-,' Juliet cried. tr, bc dead. \When Pariscomes for you, he will think that you are dead. They will
'Go to the church on Thursday, or I will never speak ro you again. you will l)ut you in your family's tomb.
not come inro my house.You can beg and die in the srreers.'
He left the room.
'Is there no piry?' said
Juliet. 'Oh, my sweermorher. I beg you to delay rhis
marriage for a month, a week. If you do not, I will die like Tybalt.'
'That is enough. I will not help you,' Lady capulet said, and she left the room.
'Nurse, whar can I do?'Juliet cried. 'Help me!'
'Your mother is right,' rhe nurse said. 'You should marry paris. He is a good
man. You will be h"ppywith him.'
'I will go to Friar Lawrence.Tell my morher that I am sorry my father is
upset.'The nursewent our.
'If he cannot help me, I will end my life,'Juliet rhought.
a
Pariswas in Friar Lawrencet cell. 'I want ro arrangemy marriage ro
Juliet,'
he said.
'On Thursday, sir?' said the friar. 'That is very soon.'
'capulet wanrs us ro marry quickly, and that is my wish too.
Julier weeps roo
much becauseof Tybalt's death. Her wedding will stop her rears.'
'I must delay rhis wedding,' thought the friar. 'It should never rake place at all.'
Then he said to Paris,'Look, sir, here she comes!'
'My lady and my wife,' said Paris.
'I am not your wife yet,' said
Juliet.

c ount / ka u n t / ( n ) a m a n w i th a h ig h so cia lp o sitio n b e ca u seo f hi s fami l y

beg /beg/ (v) to ask for food and money, or to ask for something in an anxious way

l8 l9
 Three Great Plays ofShakespeare P l ay| - R omeoarrdJ ul i er(P arr2)

'I will send a letter to Romeo. At the end of the forry-rwo hours, you will
wake up and Romeo will take you away to Mantua. Are you brave enough to do
this, or will fear srop you drinking the liquid?'
'Give me the drink. Dont speakof fear!' said
Juliet.
'I will send Friar John to Romeo with a lemer,'the friar said.
Juliet went home. 'I am sorry that I refusedro marry paris,' she said to her
father. 'I was wrong. Let us prepare for the wedding.'
a
The next night, Juliet askedher nurse ro leavethe room.
'I am afraid,' she thought. '\7hat will happen if this liquid does not work?
I
am afraid that I will wake up before Romeo comes to me in the tomb. Romeo,
Romeo, I am drinking this for you!'
Then she drank Friar Lawrencet liquid and fell back on her bed.
a
The capulets prepared for the wedding, and on the Thursday morning,
Juliett
nurse came to wake her.
She called her name. Are you still asleep?Come, my lady, wake up.' At last
she shookJuliet. 'Lady! Ladyl Ohl Helpl Helpl My lady is dead!'
Juliet's parentsheard her cries and ran into the room. Parisand Friar Lawrence
were with them.
'Is Juliet ready to go to the church?' Friar Lawrence asked.
'she is ready to go,' Lord capulet cried, 'but she will never rerurn. Death has
taken her.'
'She was a lovely young woman,' the friar said. 'Heaven wanted to share
her
with you. You could nor srop her death. She is above the clouds in heaven.you
must not weep now. Dry your tearsand take her to the tomb.'
'\7e have flowers and music for her wedding,' said Lord capulet sadly.'Now
we will use them for her tomb.'
So they took Juliet to rhe tomb of the Capulets.
a
Romeo was far away in Mantua.
'I had a srrangedream last night,' he remembered. 'I dreamed that
Julier came
and found me dead. She kissedme and I was alive again.'
He saw his servant Balthazarcoming towards him.
'Do you have any news from verona?' he asked.'How is my love?Is she
well?'
But Balthazaranswered,'Her body is sleepingin the tomb of the capulets.
She is alive in heaven now.'
'\fhat?' cried Romeo. 'Do you have a letter for me from the friar?'
'No.'

20
 Three GreatPlaysofShakespeare Play I - RomeoandJuliet (Part2)

'Find me some horses.I must leavehere tonight. Tonight I will lie with Juliet
in her tomb.'
Balthazar was afraid. \What was his master going to do?
Romeo went to a very poor chemist. This chemist sold medicines,but he
needed more money so he also sold poison.
'If I pay this chemist with gold,' Romeo thought, 'he will give me a poison
that will end my life.'
'Drink this poison. It will kill you immediately,'the chemist said.
'Buy food with my gold,' said Romeo, and he picked up the poisoned liquid.
,'
Friar John returned to Friar Lawrence.
'\7elcome,'said Friar Lawrence. "Vhat does Romeo say?'
Friar John looked very unhappy. 'I could not go to Mantua,' he said. 'I went
to a house in Verona, looking for a friar to go with me. While I was there, officers
came and locked all the doors and windows. They thought that there was a
dangerousillness in the house.They did not ler anyone in or our, and nobody
wanted to touch your letter. Here it is.'
'This is terrible!' said Friar Lawrence. 'Go quick$ Bring an iron stick to my cell.'
'In three hours Juliet will wake up,' he thought. 'I will write to Mantua. But I
must open the tomb and hide Juliet in my cell until Romeo arrives.'
a
Pariswent to the Capulets' tomb, becausehe wanted to put flowers on it for
Juliet. He heard people near the tomb and hid.
It was Romeo and Balthazar.'Take this letter to my father,' Romeo said to his
seryant. 'Give me your lamp. I am going to say goodbye to my lady Juliet. Now
go away.'
But Balthazarthought, 'I will hide near here. My master looks strange.
-il/hat
is he going to do?'
Parisheard a noise as Romeo broke open the tomb. Romeo looked at the face of the dead man. 'It is Count Paris,one of
'It is Romeo!' he cried. ''What evil is he doing to the dead bodies?Romeo, Mercutio's family. Poor young man. I will put you in the tomb.'
I have caught youl You must die.' He opened Juliet's tomb and looked at her face.
'Yes,I must die,' sa-idRomeo. 'That is why I am here. I came to kill myselfl I do 'Dear Juliet,' he said. "Why are you still so beautiful? Is death keeping you
not want to hurt you, boy. Go away, and say that a madman told you to leave.' here as his lover?Let me look at you again. Let my arms hold you for the last
But Paris made Romeo fight. Paris'sservant ran to call the officers who were time. I will stay here with you forever.' He drank the poison. 'This poison acts
on guard through the night. quickly. Vith this kiss, I will die.'
Romeo'ssword wounded Paris. Friar Lawrence came running towards the tomb. He saw Balthazar, and then
'I am dying!' Pariscried. 'Placeme in the tomb with Juliet.' he saw a light inside.
'Romeo, my master,has been in the tomb for more than half an hour,'
Ilalthazar said.
evil /'irvel/ (n/adj) something very bad, with a cruel or harmful effect

22 23
 'l'hreeGreatPlaysofShakespeare
Full of fear, the friar wenr into the tomb. He saw the dead bodies of Romeo
and Paris,and at that moment, Juliet woke up.
'\(/here is my Romeo?'she asked.
'Ladyi said the friar, 'come out of this place of death. A greaterpower than
ours has ruined all our plans. Your husband is dead and Paris,too. \7e can do
nothing here. Come away with me. I will take you to a safeplace.'
'Co! Leavethis place. I will stay,'said Juliet.
24
Play I - Romeoand Juliet (l'an 2)
'l'hc friar hurried away to find someoneto help him.
'There is a cup in my
lrrlicr looked ar Romeo. "ililhat is this?' she askedherself.
It'rrt.lovek hand. Poison?Oh, Romeo, you have drunk it all and left none for me'
I will kissyour lips; perhapsthere is some poison on them.'
SIrekissedhim, but then she heard the guards arrive. There was no more
tirrrc.Juliet took Romeo'sdagger and pushed it into her own heart.
'l'he prince and his servantsarrived at the tomb, followed by the Capulets and
Morrragues.The guards caught the weeping friar.
'What happened?'Prince Escalusasked.'\7hy have you called me from my
betl ?'
'Some people in the street are crying, "Romeo!". Some are crying, "Juliet!",
iul(l some are crying, "Paris!",' Lady Capulet said. 'They are shouting and
rrrrrningtowardsour tomb.'
'l'hen a guard told them, 'Count Parisis dead, Romeo is dead, and Juliet has
killcd herself.'
'Here is the friar,' said another guard, 'and here is Romeot servant' Balthazar.'
'Prince, my wife died during the night,' Lord Montague said. 'She was very
sirdwhen my son left the city. Her sadnesskilled her"
'fhe prince turned to the friar. 'Tell me, Friar, what do you know about all this?'
The friar, in a few words, told the whole unhappy story. 'If thesedeaths are
rny fault, then punish me with death.'
'I know that you are a good man,' said the prince. ''Where is Romeok servant?
What can he tell us?'
'l told my master that Juliet was dead,' Balthazarsaid. 'He came here and told
rrreto go away.He said he would kill me if I stayed.'
Paris'sservant also told his story. 'My master came to put flowers on Juliet's
romb. He saw somebody and pulled out his sword. I ran away to find the guards.'
'Capulet, Montague,' the prince said sadly.'These terrible things happened
bccauseyour families hate each other. And I have also lost two members of my
lirmily.'
Capulet said to Montague, 'My daughter'smarriagewith your son, Romeo,
hasjoined our families at last. Oh, brother Montague, give me your hand.'
And so,' the prince said, 'this dark and cloudy morning has brought a sad
peace.There will never be a sadderstory than the story of Romeo and Juliet.'
25
Activities3
Three6reatPlaysof Shakespeare

Wereyou right? l lnguage in use

Look back at Activity 2.4. Are these sentencesright (/) or wrong (X)? r''k .rt the sentenceson the
rr1hr.Ihen read the r"ni"n.", below.
1 ' Romeotriesto kitthimsetfwith poison. Wlrl h action came first? Write 1.
LadyCapuletentered Jutiet'sroom'
Sheand her husbandhad decided
that they wantedJutietto marry Paris.

2 : , Julietpretendsto be dead.
I l l rr,rrurse
camei n.S heh adf ounda [ adder .
3 RomeohurriesbacktoVeronabecausehe hearsabout FriarLawrence's
olan.
I
4 luliet kittshersetfwith a dagger.
.' lrrlit'twas upsetbecauseRomeohad kittedTybatt.

L
What more did you learn?
What are these peoplethinking? Use words from the box. l{orneohad saidgoodbyeto Julietbeforehe left Verona.

,il
| [ike your l rrti ethaddrunkthe fri a r 's[ iquidand had beent akent o t he t om b.
p l a n.

It's a[[ our ltrlietkilledhersetfbecauseRomeohad kittedhimself.

fault. "

I don't want (r Ihe princehad lost two membersof his family,so he was very sad.
to hurt you.

I don't love
you. What's next?
Look at the words in italics at the top of page 28 and the pictures on pages 29
You must be
and 31.What do you think? Circtethe correct answers.
brave.
1 Macbethis a ghost/ murderer/ romanticstory.
You've been
very foolish.
2 Macbethis afraidI angry/ shockedwhen he meetssomewitches.
I hate you.

l w i l l m ak e I gentle/ honest.
3 LadyMacbethis dangerous
you happy.

I hatesher husband.
4 LadyMacbethadmires/ criticises

27
 PLAY PART
1
E Play 2 - Macbeth (Part l)

Macbeth
'My hands are as red asyours. But my heart is not as
white with fear aslour heart.'

t the time of rhis story, Duncan was the King of Scotland. Macbeth was a
great lord and the leader of the Scottish army. Banquo was also a lord and an
army leader.
Macbeth had won a grear batde againstan army from Norway. He and
Banquo were coming back from the battle, riding over some wild, open land
in a storm. In the wildest part they saw rhree witches sitting around a fire. The
witches stopped the rwo men.
'Who areyou?' askedBanquo. 'You look like women, but you have beards.'
'Speakl'saidMacbeth. '\What are you?'
'Greetings, Macbeth, Lord of Glamis,' the first witch said.
'Creetings, Macbeth, Lord of Cawdor,' the secondwitch said.
'Greetings, Macbeth. You will be king,' the third witch said.
Then they turned to Banquo.
'You will not be king,' the third witch said. 'But your children and your
grandchildren will become kings.'
Macbeth and Banquo rode away from the witches.
'I am already Lord of Glamis,' said Macbeth, 'but how can I become Lord
of Cawdor? The Lord of Cawdor is still alive. And I do not believe that I will be
king. They said your children will becomekings, Banquo.'
At that moment, messengersfrom King Duncan came to Macbeth.
'The Lord of Cawdor helped the Norwegians,'oneof them said.'He fought
againstthe king. Now the king wanrs you ro be the new Lord of Cawdor.'
'Lord of Glamis and Lord of Cawdor,' Macbeth said to Banquo with surprise.
'lf you believethe witches,you will becomeking,'said Banquo. 'Perhaps
thesewitches are telling the truth - and perhapsthey want to causetrouble a.d
death.'
a
In Macbeth's castle,Lady Macbeth read a letter from her husband.
'The witches say thar my husband will be king,' she thought. 'But Macbeth
is too kind, too genrle.There are things that he musr do, but he is afraid to do Then Macbeth arrived at the castle.'My dearestlove, the king is coming here
them. I must speakto him, and make him brave.' tonight,' he said. 'He wants to honour me.'
'-When will he leave?'

battle /'betl/ (n) a fight between two armies honour /'ono/ (v/n) to show a dmi rati on for s omeone; y our honour i s the good behav i our that
wit c h / w r t / ( n ) a w o m a n wh o h a s m a g ic p o we r s, e sp e cia llyto do bad thi ngs makes peopl e admi re you
28 29
 Three Great Plays ofShakespeare Play2 - Macbeth(Parr l)

'He saysthat he will leavetomorrow.'

'Oh, no! He must never leave!Macbeth, your face showsyour thoughrs and
feelings.You must hide them. Leaveeverything to me.'
a
King Duncan arrived at Macbetht castlewith his two sons, Malcolm and
Donalbain. After dinner, Macbeth came out of the dining hall.
'If I want to be king, I must kill King Duncan,'he said to himselfl 'I must kill
him quickly. But what will happen if I kill him? An act of this kind could harm
me. The king is a guest in my house, so I should guard him againstmurderers,
not kill him. Duncan is a good king and his death will causegrear sorrow. No! I
will not do it.'
Just then, Lady Macbeth came out of the dining hall. 'Vhy did you leavethe
room?'she asked.
'I do not want to kill the king,' said Macbeth. 'He is good ro me. Peoplelike
and admire me. I will not throw away their good opinion.'
Lady Macbeth was very angry with her husband. '\il/hat are you saying?'she
asked.'\X/hy are you so afraid?You want to be king. Are you afraid to kill him?'
'I am a brave man,' Macbeth replied. 'I will do everything that a man should
do - everything that is right.'
'You must be strong,' Lady Macbeth said.
'But what will happen if we fail?'
'Then we fail!' said Lady Macbeth. 'But if you are brave, we will succeed.\Vait
'$7e
until Duncan is asleep. will make everyonebelieve that the king's servants
killed him. I will put something in their drink to make them sleep,and we will
cover them with the kingt blood.'
'Yes,we will do it,' said Macbeth. 'But we must look kind and happy, so no
one knows our plans.'
The king and his rwo sons came out of the dining hall. The king was tired so
he went to bed early.
Later that night, Banquo and his son Fleancemet Macbeth in the garden of
the castle.
'Here is a beautiful jewel from the king to your wife,' said Banquo. 'He has
gone to bed.'
a
Midnight came. Lady Macbeth made the king's servantsdrunk, so they knew
nothing. She took her daggerand went to the king's bedroom. Duncan was
sleepingdeeply after his long journey. His face reminded Lady Macbeth of her
father and she could not kill him, so she left.

sorrow /'snrao/ (n) a feeling of great sadness

30 31
 'l'hree Great Plavs ofShakesoearc
Macbethlookedar the daggerin his hand. 'The witchestold the *uth. I nust
go into Duncant room and kill him,' he thought.
en he cameout ofthe kingt room, he saw his wife. 'I have done it,'
he said. 'Did you hear arything? Did you speak?I thought I heard a voice.
"Macbethhasmurderedsleep,"it said."He will newr sleepagain."'
't heard nothing,' Iady Macbeth said. 'You imagined it. Now, get somewater
and washthe blood from your ha.nds.Why did you bring the daggerhere?You
must leaveit in the king's bedroom. Take ir back and coverthe sleepingservants
with blood,'
'[ cannorgo inro that room and seethe king'sbody again,'Macbethsaid,'I
am afraid.'
'You arcwcak,'saidLady Macbeth.'Giveme the dagger.I will spreadblood
on rhe srvants.'
Vhen shecameback,sheshowedher handsto Macbeth.'Now look! My
handsare as red asyours. Bur my heart is not aswhite with fear asyour hearr.
Put on your night clothes.We want peoplero think that we areasleep.'
Suddenlyrherewasa loud knock on rhe geat gateofthe casde.
'rli4ratis that?'criedMacbeth.'Everynoiseftighrensme.' He lookedat his
bloodyhands.'My handslAll the waterin the oceanswill nor cleanthe blood
from rhesehands!'
Peoplewere still beadngon the gate. Macduff and knnox, two Scotrish lords,
had arrived. Macberh cameout to greet them.
'Is the king awake?'askedMacduff,
'Not yet, but I will take you to his room.'
Macduffwenr into the king's room. A moment later, he ran out with a
loud cry.
'V/hat is the marter?'knnox asked.
'h is too horrible!' Macdutrcried. 'Quickly, *ale Malcolm and Donalbain.
Ring the casdebell.' Banquocamein. 'Oh, Banquo,Banquol'criedMacdufi
'Our king is dead.'
Malcolm and Donalbaincameout oftheir rooms
'What is the matter?'Donalbainasked.
'Your father,the king, is dead!'Lennoxsaid.'Ve think his servanrs murdered
him. They arc coveredwith blood.'
'Vc must askguestionsand try to find the answerc,'Banquo said. 'This is a
bloody piece ofwork. What does it meanl'
The king's two sonswcre afraid. Who could they trurti
trust /trust/(v)to believethat someonewill not lie to you or harm you
7)
Play 2 - Macbcth (Part l)
'l will go to England,'saidMalcolm. 'Someonein this castlemurderedour
l,rrhcr.They areonly pretendingro be sad.'
And I will go to lreland,' said Donalbain.'\7e will be saferin different countries.'
.
Alitr that night, strangeand frighteningthingshappenedin Scotland.Therewas
hl.rrk fear in everyone'sheat.
llanquo did not trust Macbeth. 'Now Macbeth haseverything,' he said to
hinrsclf. 'The death of Duncan mrkes him king. King, Cawdor, Glamis he is
r.vrrythingrhar rhe witchespromised.Bur they promisedsomethingfor me roo.
I will be rhe frrher ofkings. Will thar be rrue?'
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth invird pople ro a feast.
'Fleanceand I must ride out this afternoon,'Banquosaid.'But we will be
l,.rckfor the fe**.'
'tlood,' Macbethreplied.'l hearthat Duncant sons,in Englandand lreland,
rrc tclling lies about their fathert murderer.'
When the room wasempty,Macbethcalleda servant.'Briug in rhe rwo men
who arwaitingoutsidethe palaceg.rte,'he said.
"fhe witchessaidrhat Banquo'ssonswould be kingsofScotland,'he said
ro himself 'I havedone rhis rerriblerhing for Banquoand hh children,not for
nryseltHe must die, and Fleance,hh son,must die too.'
fh two men came in. They were munderers.
'Banquo is your enemy,' Macbeth said. 'He is my enemy,too. You must kill
trim. I will tell you where you can wait to catch him and his son.'
.
llcfore rhe feastbegan,Lady Macbeth talked to her husband.
'You spendroo much time alone,'shesaid.'Your only friendsareyour sad
rhoughts.lt is too latero worry. Duncanis dead.'
"We are still in danger,'Macbeth replied. '\?e both have rerrible dreamsevery
night. I am full offear while the deadrestin peace.'
'Dont let anyoneseerhat you areworried,'saidhis wife.'Look happywhen
rur guestscomeheretonight.'
'Yes,I will,'Macbeth said.And beforenighr falls,somethingwillhappen.
Whenyou Lnow what it is,you will sayto me, "Vell done!"'
3J
 Activities4 I ThreeCreat Playsof Shakespeare

Wereyou right? r fl Language

in use
Look back at your answersto Activity 3.4.Then complete these sentenceswith look at the sentenceson the right.Then + 'Thedeath of Duncanmakes
words from Box A and Box B. rnakenouns from the words given below and f him king.Since
' Duncanhas
t-

tomptete the sentences. is king.

died,Macbeth F
ft'=i&>#
dangerous guilty powerful
tI Macbeth Lady Macbeth
n E safe shocked I ' P erhaps
thesew i tchesar et et lingt he . . . .. . . .' (true)
Banquo Macduff Donalbain
I strong upset wrong
2 LadyMacbeththinksthat her husbanddoesnot show
enough (strong)
1 is ' b y the w i tches' w ords.
I ' Y oumust hi deyour .' (think)
2 th i n k sth a t th e w i tc h e sm a y be
4 ' Theki ng' sdeathw i [[cause .'(sorry)
3 th i n k sth a t h e r h u s b a n drsnor
5 Many peoptereceived to the feast.(invite)
enougn.
6 Macbethcannotfeel for the king.(hate)
th i n k sth a t i t i s to ki ttthe ki ng.

wantseveryoneto believethat the king'sservants

rr What's next?
Look at the pictures in Part 2 and the words in italics at the top of page 36. How
5 is very w henhe fi ndsthe ki ng. do you think the scenesbelow will be important in the story?

7 th i n k sth a t h e w i t[ b e i n l rel and

8 th i n k sth a t Ma c b e thi s to o

What more did you learn?

Put these events in the right order.Number them, 1-8.

a Macbethwins a greatbattte.

b Macbethtalksto two murderers.

c T hek ingar r iv e sa t th e c a s tl e .

d M ac bet hk it t st h e k i n g .

e M ac duf ar
f r iv e sa t th e c a s tte .

f LadyMacbethspreadsbloodon the king'sservants

g LadyM ac bet hi s a n g ryw i th h e r h u s b a n d .

h Theking'ssonsleavethe country.

a4 35
 PLAY 2
PART
E Play2 - Macbeth(Part2)

Macbeth
'Macbetb!Be braue!Youcannotbehurt by ary man
who wasborn/iom A womAn.'

ut the two murderers had only carried out half of Macbetht plan. They
had killed Banquo, but Fleanceescaped.One of the murderers returned at
dinner time, when the lords and ladieswere enjoying the feast.
'There is blood on your face,'Macbeth said to him.
'It is Banquo'sblood,' the murderer replied. 'But I have bad news. Fleanceis
still alive.'
'Now I am still afraid,'Macbeth said to himself. He moved away from his
gu e stsand s t ood r hinki n g .
'Sit down,' Lady Macbeth said. 'These people in the hall will notice your
strangebehaviour. Be happy among your friends!'
There was one empty seatat the table. Quiedy the bloody ghost of the
murdered Banquo sat down in it.
Ross,one of the lords, said to Macbeth, "Won't you sit down with us? Here is
an empty place.'
But Macbeth saw the ghost of Banquo in the chair. 'The table is full,' he said.
'\Who did this?' His face was white with fear.No one elsecould seethe ghost, so
no one understood his words. 'You cannot say that I did it!' Macbeth cried to the
ghost. 'Don't shakeyour bloody hair at me!'
'My lord is often like this,' Lady Macbeth said to the guests.'It is nothing. He
will soon be well.'
In a low voice, Macbeth spoke to his wife. 'I have seenBanquo!' he said.
She was angry with him. 'You are looking at an empty chair!'
But the ghost appearedagain to Macbeth.
'Look! He is there!' Macbeth cried.
Lady Macbeth could do nothing, so she askedeveryoneto leave.'My husband
is getting worse,' she told her guests.
'The ghost demands blood,'said Macbeth. 'Blood demands blood. Tomorrow
I will go and seethe three witches. I must know what will happen.'
'You need sleep,'said Lady Macbeth. 'Come, we will sleep.'
a

-fo
37
 'I'hree Clreat Plays Play 2 - Macbeth (Part 2)
of Shakespeare

In the samewild place, the three witches were singing strangesongsand pufting
mysterious things into a pot over a fire. They were making black magic.
Then they suddenly stopped. 'He's coming,' one of them said.
Macbeth stood there, looking at them. 'Give me answersto my questions,'
he said.
'Speak!'said the first witch.
'Ask!' said the secondwitch.
'\7e will answer,'said the third witch. 'Do you want to hear the words from
our mouths or from the mouths of our masters?'
'Call your masters!'Macbeth cried. 'Let me seethem.'
Macbeth began to seestrangeand unreal things. Ghosts appearedin front of
him.
The first ghost was the head of a soldier. It said, 'Macbeth! Macbethl \il/atch
'Watch
Macduff. him and protect yourself from him.'
'I do not know who you are,' Macbeth said. 'But thank you for your good
advice.'
The secondghost was a child coveredin blood. It said, 'Macbeth! Be brave!
You cannot be hurt by any man who was born from a woman.'
The third ghost was a child wearing a crown. It carried a small tree in its
hand. 'Be brave,' it said. 'Be proud, and do not worry. Your enemieswill never
beat you until Birnam W'ood moves to Dunsinane Hill.'
Macbeth felt happier now. 'I was afraid of Macduffbefore,' he thought. 'Now
I will make sure that he does not harm me. And how can the last two things ever
happen?I am safe!'
He turned to the witches. 'Can you tell me if Banquo'schildren will be kings
of this country?'he asked.
'Do not ask us any more questions,' the witches said.
'Answer me or I will curse you!'Macbeth cried.
Eight kings appeared,and then a figure like Banquo.
'Banquo is coveredin blood,' cried Macbeth. 'He is pointing at them,
showing me that they are his sons. I do not want to seeany more!'
The witches danced around and then they disappeared.
Later, Macbeth heard that Macduff had run away to England.
'I know what to do,' Macbeth thought. 'I will burn down his castleand kill
his wife and allhis children.'
o to bed!'
c rown /k r a u n /( n ) a c i r c l e of g o ld a n d je we ls wo r n b y kin g s o r queens on thei r heads
lrr lingland, Macduff was talking to King Duncan's son, Malcolm' "il4ren will
tlrcseterrible things in Scotland end?' askedMalcolm.
'l'hen Ross,another Scottish lord, came to seethem.
'What is happening in Scotland?'askedMacduff'
'l have b"d ne*r,' ans*e.ed Ross.'Each day brings moresadnessand trouble.'
,(lo
home,' said Malcolm. 'Tell my people that we will come very soon. The
linglish have given me 10,000 men. \tre are coming to fight Macbeth''
-'That
is good ne*s,'said Ross.'But I must give you bad news, Macduff'
Sonrething ierrible has happened. Macbeth has taken your casde.He has killed
yorrr wife and all your children.'
'vhatl All my pretty children? Did you say all?And their mother?' Macduff
cri cd.
'your wife, children, servanrs- everyonethat he could find in the castle,'Ross
sl i d.
And I was not there,' said Macduff. 'Kind heavens'bring me face to facewith
this murderer. Now he will never escaPeme!'
a
l,ady Macbeth was ill. Her servant spoke to the doctor.
,She
cannot sleep.The king has gone away to fight againstMacduff and
Malcolm. Every night my lady gersup from her bed. she purs on her coat, takes
some paper,writes on it and then goesback to bed. She does all thesethings in
her sleep.She does not know what she is doing.'
'Vhat does she say?'askedthe doctor.
'I do not want to rePeather words,' the servantsaid.
As she spoke, Lady Macbeth walked slowly into the room, carrying a lamp.
.She
haies to be in the dark,' said the lady. 'She always has a lamp by her
si de.'
.Her
eyesare open,' said rhe doctor. 'vhat is she doing with her hands?'
'She does that very often, sometimesfor a quarter of an hour. She is trying to
wash her hands.'
'Listen!' said the doctor. 'She is speaking.I will write down her words.'
.There
is still blood here on my hands,' Lady Macbeth said. 'Here is more
\willthese
blood. I did not know that an old man had so much blood in him.
hands never be clean?lwash your hands, pur on your night clothes.Banquo is
dead. He cannor come our of his tomb. someone is knocking at the gate!co
'I have heard enough,' the doctor said. 'I cannor help her. only the gods can
help her now.'
a

3B 39
 Tlr r cc ( lr e.r t l' l.r v' ,' l- 5lr .r Lc' pe.r n. I ' h v l - l \ 4 rc b c t h (l )a rt 2 )

Soon everyoneknew that a greatEnglish army was on irs w1ry.'l'hc Scorrishlords Macbeth'smind was sick, but he still felt safe.'They cannot hurr me,' he said
rode with the arn-ryand talked about their king, Macbeth. ro himself. 'How can Birnam Wood move to Dunsinane?How can I die at the
'Some say that he is n-rad,'saidone. lrandsof a man who was not born Froma woman? Malcolm was born from a
'His mcn do love or rrusr him. They act orly becausche ordersthcnr ro woman.'
'ot
act. His title of king meansnothing. It is likc a big man'.scoilr worn by a little soon Malcolm, Macduff and their soldierswere riding near Birnam wood.
thiclr,'said another. 'Tell eachsoldierto take a branch from a tree and hide behind it,' Malcolm
'Well, let us march on towardsBirnaml' said.'Then Macbeth will not seeus.'

4l
'Ihree Clreat
I)lays of Shakcspeare Play 2 - Macbeth (Part 2)

llack in the castle,Macbeth heard the sound of women crying. He called a

\('t'vil lt t.
'Vhy are peoplecrying?'he asked'
"l'he queen is dead,my lord.'
"l-his is not a good time for her to die,' Macbeth said.'l.cannot think about it
i l ow '
A messenger camerunning in.
'you havecome ro tell me something.Tell me quickly!'cried Macbeth.
,My
good lord,' the messengersaid. 'l have just seensomething very strang.
I was standing on guard and I looked towards Birnam - and the forest began to
nrtrve!'
'lf you are lying to me,' said Macbeth, 'l will hang you from the nearesttree
until you are dead.'
But it was true. The soldierswere carrying branchesin front of them as they
wrrlked.Nobody knew how many men were moving towards Dunsinane.
Macbeth still felt that he was safe.Every man was born from a woman!
He heard wild shouts and the noise of sword striking sword. He heard the
t rics of dying men and the shoutsof his enemies.
Suddenly Macduff stood in front of him. 'Macbeth, you killed all the people
rlrat I love,' he cried. 'Show me your face!'
.Move
back!' said Macbeth. 'I have alreadykilled too many of your family.' But
Macduffwas not listening. He was there to kill Macbeth. 'You are wasting your timel'
cried Macbeth. 'No man can kill me exceptone who was not born from a woman!'
.Let
me tell you, then,' cried Macduff. 'l was cut from my mothert body
carly. I was not born in the normal way.'
il4acbeth knew then that he would die. But he was a brave man in this final
lrattle. 'Comel \Wewill fight to the end,' he shouted. And there will be a cufse on
the first man who cries,"Stop! Enough!"'
Macduff's anger made him strong and he killed Macbeth. Then he cut off
Macbeth'shead and showed it to the English army, the Scottish lords and their
soldiers.
Malcolm, their new king, said, 'I thank you all from my heart for helping me.'
The tired men wenr home. Soon, they all came together again at Scone, to see
the crown of Scotland put on the head of their new young king'

4^l 41
Activities5
T ThreeCreat PtaYsof ShakesPeare

Wereyou right? in use

f fl Language
',
Look back at your answers to Activity 4.4.Then circle the correct answers betorn I ook at the sentenceon the right.Then l
LadyM acbet hhas been behaving
r ornpletethis doctor's rePort on Lady
1 Dur ingt he f eas t M
, a c b e ths e e sth e g h o s to f very strangely.
Macbethwith the verbs below.Use
chitd w9a_1ing c19wn Banquo King Duncan grresentperfect continuousverb forms.
; 1 3
2 Macbethis totd not to worry by I
carry get hear say tatk try walk worry
/
the witches a ghost
Faf Y:-:-99_11'
She'
| ,rrnveryw orri edaboutLadyM acbet h. r n her
3 At night,LadyMacbethimagines
- --;i; she2 out of bed everynight.She
ghostsi" h;;;; ;;;. uoil", on her hands "l"t'o
a lam par oundt he r oom andshe
4 Thenew k ingis t he s o no f to herself.Shes
Ma c d u ff Duncan B anquo ,rl routbl oodon her hand s.She6 to washit off. She
shesayst hat she
t hingsaboutBanquo. At so,

What more did you learn? Sheis clear lym ad.

st r angenoises.

What is wrong with these pictures?

| [ What'snext?
Lookat the words at the top of page46 and the picturesin this part of the
story.What problemsmight King Lear,the man on pages51 and 54, havewith
his family, his friends and his enemies?Make notes.

Problems Problems Probtems

with famity with friends with enemies

44
Activities5
ThreeCreat Ptavsof Shakespeare

Wereyou right? ff,t languagein use

""-' i.
Look back at your answers to Activity 4.4.Then circle the correct answers below look at the sentenceon the right.Then
LadyMacbethhas been behaving r
r rmplete this doctor's report on Lady
1 Duringthe feast,Macbethseesthe ghostof very strangely'
Macbethwith the verbs below.use
:"'"::' '
' a chitd wearing a crown B a nguo K i ng D uncan grresentperfect continuousverb forms.

2 Macbethis told not ,o *ort in I

carry get hear say tatk try walk worry
I
Lady Macbeth the witches a ghost
She' r 'i i ' ' in her
l ,rrnveryw orri edaboutLadyM acbet h.
3 At night ,LadyM acb e thi m a g i n e s
',llcp.She2 out of bed everynight.She
ghosts in her room strangevoices btood on her hands
a lam par oundt he r oom andshe
4 Thenew k ingis t he s o no f
' t o her selfShe'
.
M a c d u ff Duncan B anquo ,rl routbl oodon her hand s.She" t o washit of f She
Also,shesayst hat she
t hingsaboutBanquo.

What more did you learn? Sheis ct ear lym ad.

st r angenoises.

What is wrong with these pictures?

f I What'snext?
Lookat the words at the top of page45 and the picturesin this part of the
story.What problemsmight King Lear,the man on pages51 and 54, havewith
his family, his friends and his enemies?Make notes.

Problems Problems Probtems

with famity with friends with enemies

44
 PLAY
E
1
PART
King Lear
'Fromtoday I will not beyourfather. Youwill bea
strangerto meand to my heart.'
TZ i"g Lear, King of Britain, came into the hall with his three daughters:
A-CJ.r..il, *hJwas married to the Duke of Albany; Regan,who was married
to the Duke of Cornwall, and Cordelia. Cordelia was not yet married, but the
King of France hoped to make her his wife.
The king spreadout a map. 'I have separatedmy kingdom into three parts,' he
said. 'I am old, and I do not want to govern my kingdom any longer. Let younger
people do the work. So I will give the best part of my kingdom to the daughter
who lovesme most. Goneril, you are my eldestdaughter.You must speakfirst.'
'Sir,' said Goneril, 'I love you as much as I love my life, my health, my beauty
and my honour. I love you as much as any daughter can ever love her father. I
cannot put into words how much I love you.'
'\(/hat shall I say?'thought Cordelia. 'I love him, but I cannot saysuch things.'
King Lear was very pleasedwith Goneril's speech.He said to her, 'l will give
all the land between thesetwo lines on the map to you, your husband and your
children. Now, what does my second daughter, Regan,say?'
'I love you as much as my sister,'Regan replied. 'But she has not said enough.
Nothing pleasesme except my love for you. My only happinesscomes from my
love for you.'
The king was pleasedwith Regan'sreply and he gave a third of his kingdom
to her.
Then it was Cordelia'sturn to speak.'Noq' said her father, 'what do you say?
Shall I give you the richest part oF my kingdom? Shall I give you more than I
gave to your sisters?Speak!'
Cordelia answered,'l can say nothing, my lord.'
'Nothing?' the king asked.He was surprised by her words.
'N ot hing, ' s hes aid .
'Nothing will bring you nothing. Speakagain.'
'I cannot put my feelingsinto words,' Cordelia said. 'I love you as much as
any daughter can love her father. You are my father: you gave me life, cared for
me, loved me. So of course I love you. I obey you. I honour you. Vhy do my
sistershave husbands if you have all their love?\When I marry, I will give my
husband half my love.'
duk e / d . i u : k /( n ) a m a n w i th th e h ig h e st so cia lp o sitio n b e lo w a pri nce
k ingdo m / ' k r l d e m / ( n ) a c o u n tr y th a t h a s a kin g o r a q u e e n
46
r I)hy .3 King [.car(Part I )
'Do you really mean that?' Lear asked.'You arevery young and unkind.'
'l am young, my lord, but I am telling you the truth.'
'Tiuth? Then you will only receivetruth. From today I will not be your Father.
Vru will be a stranger to me and to my heart. Cornwall and Albany, you can hirve
( lordeliat shareof my kingdom. I will stay with each of you'for one month. I will
only bring 100 knights with me. Peoplewill still call me king, but you will share
the government of all my lands.'
The K i ng of Franc ecam ein.
'l do not want you to take Cordelia as your wife,' Lear said to him. 'You
should look for a betterwoman.'
'This is vry strange,'said the King of France.'She was your favourite
daughter.Vhy have you changed your mind about her?'
'Tell the king that I have lost my fathert love becauseI do not have a tongue
like my sisters.I am glad that I do not speaklike them,' interrupted Cordelia.
'You have not pleasedme,' Lear said. 'You are not my daughter.tWhy were
you everborn?'
But the King of France loved Cordelia. 'Fair Cordelia, your father refusesto
keep you, but I love you. Your lonelinessmakesyou even lovelier to me. You are
a good woman. I will happily marry you. I will make you the queen of my heart
and queen of my lovely country. Say goodbye to your father, the king. Better
things are waiting for you.'
Cordelia said goodbye to her father.Then she turned to her sisters.'l know
what you are doingl'she said. 'Thke careof our father.'
'Do not tell us our dutyl' said Regan.
'Look after your lord of France. He is marrying you becausehe pities you,'
said Goneril.
'You are clever and you hide your faults. In time, people will seethe truth,'
Cordelia replied.
'Come, Cordelia,' said the King of France,and they left the castle.
'Sister,'said Goneril, 'I supposeour father will staywith me tonight.'
'Yes,he will. And next month he will come to us.'
'You seehow he changeshis mind. He alwaysloved Cordelia most. He was
foolish to throw her out now. As he grows older, he will become more and more
difficult. \7e must be ready for that.'
a
kni ght /nart/ (n) a man w i th a hi gh pos i ti on w ho fought w hi l e he rode a hors e
4/
 '['hree Creat Plays of Shakespcarc Play3 - King l.ear(l)art I )

The Eail of Gloucester was a great lord. He had nvo sons, Edgar and Edmund. .*+
Edgar was his true son from his marriage, and Edmund was the earlt bastard,
,:l
!
Edgar'shalf-brother. Edmund hated Edgar.
At that moment, Edmund was in a room in Gloucestert castle.
'There should be no difference berween Edgar and me,' he thought. '\Why do
people think that he is more important than I am? My body is as strong as his.
My mind is as clear as his. But he is the next Earl of Gloucester and he will get all
our fathert land. Vell, Edgar, I will get the land. At the moment my father loves
us equally, so I must make him hate you.' He looked at a letter in his hand. It was
part of his plot to destroy Edgar.
Just then his father, Gloucester,entered. Edmund pretended to hide the letter.
'W'hy are you trying to hide that letter?' askedGloucester.
'It is a letter from my brother Edgar,' Edmund said. 'I have not finished
reading it. I do not think that you ought to read it.'
'Give me the letter. Let me seeit.' Gloucestersaid.
He read:
We will not get our mone1until we ttre too old to enjoy it. Come to me and I
will tell you more. If our father dies soon,I will let you haue half of his money.
You will be a rich man. And you will earn the loue ofyour brothea Edgar

'My son Edgar! Did he write this letter?How did you get it?' Gloucesterasked.
'My lord, someonepassedit in through my window. Edgar believesthat it is
wrong for sons to wait until their fathers die of old age.I have often heard him
say that.'
'That seemsto be what he saysin his letter! He is evil! Go and find him.
Vhere is he?'
'I do not know,' said Edmund. 'But pleasedo not do anything to my brother.
'W'ait 'W'hat
until you can prove it. does he intend to do? I will try to find out
for you.'
'Edmund, find him. Make him trust you and tell you his plans.'
Gloucester left the room. Soon Edmund saw Edgar coming towards him.
'Have you seenmy father?'he askedEdgar.
'I saw him last night,' Edgar said.
'Did you talk?'
'Yes,for rwo hours,'said Edgar.
'Did you end the conversationas good friends?'Washe angry with you?'
Edmund asked.
earl / gr l / ( n ) a m a n w i t h a h ig h so cia lp o sitio n
bastard /'bo:stad/ (n) someone whose parents are not married
plot / p l n t / ( n / v ) a s e c r e t p la n to d o so m e th in g ille g a l o r h a r m ful

48 49
 'I
hrcc (lreat Plays ofShrkcspcare Pl:ry3 King Lctr (Part l)

'No,' said Edgar.'Vhy?'

'Becausehe is very angry with you now,' said Edmund. 'r am
afraid rhat you
are in danger.'
An evil person has spoken against me,' Edgar said.
'l am afraid that is rrue, brother. Go to my room. At the
right time, I will take
you to Lord Gloucesrer.You can speak to him then.'
Edgar left and Edmund smiled to himself. 'My farher believeseverything I
say.My brother is a good man and he thinks no one could plot againsthim. I anr
cleverand I will get everything that I want - everyrhing that my birth has taken
away from me.'
a
King Lear was foolish ro rrusr Goneril. He stayed in her house with his 100
knights, but he was a difficult visitor. Now Goneril had power over him, and she
becamean unkind daughter.
'Behavecoldly when you seehim,' she said to her servant.'Teil
all my
servantsto be unfriendly with his knights. I am going to write to my sisrer.She
and I agreethat we do not wanr our father to stay with us. She will behavein the
same way.'
Lear came into the room. 'You look angry, daughter,' he said. 'you often look
angry. Vhy?'
'Your knights are alwaysquarrelling,' Goneril
answered.'They make a lot
of noise.My houseis in disorder.It is roo much! I will not allow itl I havespoken
to you about this before. I believe that you rell them to behavebadly. I ."r,.,o,
stop them becauseyou are rheir masrer.I am your daughrer,bur I musr speak.'
Are you my daughter?' .vhat?
She has already senr away fifty of my knights? But I have another
'Listen, sir,' said Goneril. 'Be sensible!Recently you have changed.
what are daughter. I am sure that she will be kind. when she hearsthis, she will hit
thesefeelingsrhat have changed you? Be the man you really are.'
Gonerilt facewith her own fingers.'
'who can rell me what I really am?' cried Lear. 'l really a
thought that I had
daughters.' castle, Edmund called Edgar to him. He knew that
In rhe Earl of Gloucestert
'You are old,'said Goneril, 'and you should be wise. But you keep The two brothers talked for a minute, and then
100 knights their father was in the next room.
and their followers here in my house and they behavebadly. I beg you, send some
Edmund said, 'My father is coming! I can hear him''
of your knights away. Keep just a few men. They should be wise ind older men
He lowered his voice to a whisper. 'He has ordered me to make you a
like you.' sword and attack you. You must pretend
prisoner. I must pretend to pull o,r,
'Darkness and devilsl Bring my horse and call my men. you are -y
an unnarural to defend yourself.'
child! I will nor trouble you any more! I still have one daughter left. I was mad - I 'Now escape!Run
Their swords struck each other. Then Edmund whispered,
made a mistake when I trusted you.'
away, quickly!'
Lear wenr our, and Goneril heard him shour in surprise.
Edgar ran out.
'Father!
Edlund struck his own arm with his sword and wounded himself.
Father!'he cried.
devil /'deval/ (n) someone very bad; another name for the devit is Satan

50 51
 Thrcc (lrcar Plays ofShakespc;rre
r Plav.3- Kirrg Lerr (l'rrt I )

Cloucestercame in. '\i/here is he, Edmund?'
'Look, sir! I am bleeding.Edgar told me to murder you.
\flhen I refused,he
attackedand wounded me. He was frightened by the noise I made, so he ran away.'
'\7e must find him immediately!' said Gloucester.
'l tried ro make him give up his plot againstyou
but I failed,' Edmund said.
'Then I said thar I would tell you. He said,"You poor bastard,no
one will believ.
you." He said that you loved him. You would not believe that he wrote the letter
or plotted againstyou.'
'How could he say that it was not his letter?'Gloucester
asked.'l will send a
picture of him ro every part of the kingdom. I will make sure that he does not
escape.Edmund, you are my good son. You will have all my land when I die.'
cornwall and Reganenteredthe room. They had come ro visit Gloucester.
cornwall said to Gloucester,'\[e have heard strangethings about your son
Edgar. Did he really want to kill you?'
'oh!' cried Gloucester.'My old heart is brokenl I am ashamedthat you
know
about this.'
'\7asn't Edgar a friend of those knights who came to my
house with my
father?' askedRegan.
'l do not know'said Gloucester.
'Yes,'said Edmund. 'He was.'
'Then I am nor surprised,'said Regan.'They advisedEdgar to kill
you,
Cloucester.They wanted ro ger your money. My sistersent me a letter about those
knights. If my father brings them to my house, I will nor be there.'
\il{hen Lear arrived at Gloucester's
castle,&o,r..rr". came our and spoketo him.
'Do my daughter and cornwall really refusero speakto me?' LLar said. 'you
say that they are sick. You say that they are tired, that they travelledall night! I
do not believeit. I, the king, wish to speakto cornwall. I wish to ,p.ak to
daughter.Tell them ro come our ro me now!' -y
'I wish there was no trouble between you,' said Gloucester,as he went
into
the castle.
'Oh, my heartl My heart!'cried Lear.'Do not breakl'
Gloucestercame back with Cornwall, Regan and their servants.
'Cood morning ro you both,' Lear said.
'I am happy ro seeyou,' Regan replied.
'of courseyou are h"ppy to seeme. I am your father,'said Lear. 'Dear Regan,
your sisterhas been so unkind ro me.'
'I cannot believethat my sisterfailed in her dury ro you. you musr not
blame
her. She only tried ro make your noisy followers behave.you are old, sir. we know
y0rrr needsbetter than you do. Ler us help you. Please,sir, say that you were
wrong. Go back and ask Goneril to forgive you''
nlk h., to forgive mel' cried Lear. 'Do you want me to go to her :rnd say,
,,1 old. I beg you ro give me clothes and a bed and food."?
)car daught.r, I
",-,-,
Never! She sent away half my knights. Let heavenstrike her!'
'Will you curse me like that when you are angry?' said Regan'
.oh,
never,Regan!You are kind and gentle. You will never hurt me. You have
my
l<ind eyes,,-,or.olJ eyeslike hers.You will not forget that I gaveyou half
l<ingdom.'
Just then, Goneril arrived. 'why are you
Aren't you ashamedto seeme?' said Lear. And you, Regan!
taking her hand?'
.pi."r.,
father, go back and stay with my sister until the end of the month,'
said Regan.
,R.t-rr.,
to Goneril? \without my knights? Never! I will live in the open air
without a roof.'
'If that is what you want' then do it, sir,' said Goneril'
'Please,daughter, do not make me mad. I will not trouble you again' my
child. Goodby.. vz. do not have ro meet again. I can stay with Regan.'
.No,
sir,, said Regan.'l did not expecryou. I am not ready for your visit. You
have fifry followers!bn. ho,rr" cannot hold so many knights. Bring rwenty-five.
You do not need more. My servantscan look after you.'
.\rhy 'why does he need
does he need rwenry-five knights?' Goneril asked.
ten? Or five?'
'\Why does he need any followers?'said Regan'
,Th.
poo..rt people have more than they need to keep them alive,' Lear said.
,oh,
yougodr, h.lp me. Make me angry. Daughters, I will.do terrible things to
heart
you bothlbo yo' ihi.,k you will make me weep?No, I will not w.eep'My
will break into a thousand piecesbefore I weep' Oh, I will go mad!'
He went away,followed by Gloucester.
A storm began. '\7e must go inside,' Cornwall said'
'This castleis too small to hold the old man and his knights,' Regan said.
'It is his fault. Let him suffer" said Goneril'
'I will let him stay at my home,' Regan said. 'But not one of his followers will
enter the house.'
his
Gloucester came back to them. 'The king is very angry. He has called for
horse. I do not know where he is going.'
'Shut your doors,Lord Gloucester,'saidcornwall. 'come in out of the storm.'
a

)z 53
Three Great PlaysofShakespeare Play 3 - King kar (Part I )
t
(iloucestert men were hunting Edgar.They watched all the roads,so he could
not escape.
'I will put mud on my face,'he thought. 'My hair will be long and dirry and I
will wear old clothes.The country is full of mad people, shouting and begging.
They travel through the farms and villages.I will be one of rhem, and I will
call myself PoorTom.'
Lear was also caught in the storm. He was losing his mind, and sometimes he
was completely mad. He began to talk to the weather.
'Fires of the stormy sky above me, burn my head of whire hair! Thunder, you
shakeeverything, but I do not carewhat you do to me. I did not give you my
lands or call you my children. You do not have to give me anything. Here I stand,
your servanr,a poor, weak old man. But do not join my two daughters and fight
againstan old man. Oh, here is a hut. I can rest here until my daughters come
to apologize.'
Edgar was inside the hut. He came out' pretending to be a madman. 'Oh!
Oh!' he cried. 'Poor Tom is cold! The devil has led him through fire and through
water.The devil has put knives in his bed, and poison in his food. Poor Tom!'
'\Vhat! Did you give everything to your two daughters?'Lear asked'
'Poor Tom has no daughters,' Edgar said.
'of courseyou have daughters.only daughterscan be so cruel. come with
me and we can talk about our cruel daughters.'
a
Gloucesterleft his castleand came to find the king. He found Lear and Edgar,
but he did not recognizehis son.
'King Lear, your daughtersordered me to close the doors of my castleagainst
you,' he said. 'I cannor obey - their commands are too hard. I came to find you.
Let me take you to a place where there is a warm fire and some food.'
Lear did not understand him and spoke wild, broken words.
nsk him again, my lord Gloucester,' said Edgar. 'He is mad, just like Poor Tom.'
'can you blame him?' Gloucester asked.'His daughterswant him to die. I am
almost mad myself. I had a son onc, and now he is a stranger to me. Not long
ago, he wanted to kill me. I loved him so much.'
Gloucester led them to a room in a farmhouse near his castle.Then he went
out to look for things to make the room more comfortable.
Soon he came back. 'There is a plot to kill the king,'he cried. 'Quick' take
him towards Dover. You will find help there.'
They carried the sleeping old man away to Dover.

>4 55
 Activities6 -.
ThreeCreat Playsof ShakesPeare
-I
Wereyou right? l -.
unguageIn use
Look back at your answers to Activity 5.4.Then complete the sentences
Il 'Wait until you can Proveit.'
with Lookat the sentenceson the right'Then 'My fatherlovesus equally,so I
words from Box A and words from Box B.
complete the sentencesbelow with
m ust m akehim hat eyou. '
these words.
Coneril he feets sorry for her
Regan she sendsaway half his knights
Cordelia she does not love him enough [-_-:,"qls-n because but so uti! -ls--*v!:" - i
Ed m und he does not want his father to find him reply,
The kingwas pleasedwith Regan's he gaveher a third of
the King of she refusesto let any of his knights stay in her home hi ski ngdom.
France he witl get att his father's [and
2 'l wittgivemy husband
hatfmy love I marry.'
Poor Tom
3 I a m young,I am t e[ [ ingyou t he t r ut h. '
KingLearisangrywith because
he thi nksthat
4 'l havelostmy father's
love I do not havea tonguelike mY

sisters.'
Reganthinksthat wantsto marryCordelia
5 'Wewittnotgetourmoney we aretoo old to enjoyit.'
Decause
6 'l tried to makehim giveup his ptot againstyou, I faited.'
3 . is jeatousof Edgarbecause
4 KingLearis angrywith because. .. ..
E wn"t's next?
5 KingLearis angrywith ,, because
Look at the picturesin the secondpart of this ptay.whose storieswill have a
6 Edgarpretendsto be .. Decause happy ending?Whose will have a sad ending?Make two lists.

What more did you learn?

only oneof thesepeopleisteltingthetruth.who is it (/)? Aretheotherpeople
tetting a lie or making a mistake?

'Mydaughter 'We [oveour 'l love my ' My sonw ants

,
doesn'tloveme.' father.' father.' to ki [[me.'

57
 PLAY PART2 Play3 - King l.ear(Part2)

King Lear
'Sir' Cordelia said to her 'doyou hnow me?' 'You haue comejiom heauen,
father,
Lear said. 'lYhen did you die?'

n Cloucesrer'scastle,Edmund was speaking to Cornwall. Edgar and

J
I Cloucesrerwere,he said,both evil men.
'l discoveredthat my father is a traitor,' Edmund said. 'The French army is
going to attack us. This letter shows that my father knows about the attack. He
welcomes itl'
'Come with me,' said Cornwall. 'I will make you a very rich man.'
Cornwall found Goneril and Regan in another part of Gloucester'scasrle.
He said to Goneril, 'Go quickly ro your husband, Albany. Show him this lerrer.
The Frencharmy has landed.'Then he said to his servants,'Find the traitor
Cloucesterand bring him here.'
'Ki l l him ! ' s aid Reg a n .
'Thke out his eyes!'said Goneril.
'Leavehim to me,' answeredCornwall. Then he said to Edmund, 'Go with
Goneril. I am going to punish your father,the traitor. I do not wanr you ro warch.'
So Goneriland Edmund lefr.
Two or three men brought Gloucester to Cornwall and Regan.
'Tie his arms,' ordered Cornwall. 'Make sure rhar he cannot escape.'
'My friends,' cried Gloucesrer,'whar are you doing? You are guestsin my
house. Do not do this to me!'
But the servantstied him up. The evil Regan laughed. 'Tighterl' she cried.
'Dont be kind to him! He is a traitor.'
'I am not a traitor,' Gloucestercried.
Reganwent to him and pulled his white beard.
'Now, sit,' said Cornwall. 'Tell me about the letters rhar came from France.
And where is the mad king? Vhere did you send him?'
They turned Gloucester'ssimple, rrue answersagainsthim.
cried. 'I have
'I am tied up like a poor animal,' Gloucestersaid. 'I senr rhe king to Dover. I one of cornwall's servanrsran ro stop his master.'Stop!'he
do not want to seeyour evil fingers take out his poor old eyes.But I will seeGod servedyou for many years' but you must stop!'
punish you. You are evil children.' 'You dog!' cried Regan.
took a sword
'You are wrong! You will never seeanything,'cried Cornwall. 'Men! Hold the Corrr*"ll pulled out his sword and attacked the servant' Regan
chair! You will not seebecauseI am going to take your eyesour!' from another man and wounded Cornwall's servant'
'Help! Help!' Gloucestershouted. 'he will be punished. You
'Oh, my lord,' cried the dying servant to Gloucester'
w i l l see.'
,He eyes'
will seenorhing!' said cornwall, and he took out both Gloucester's
(n)someone
traitor/'trerto/ whoisdisloyal
to theircountry
or theirfriends
)6 59
 F
' I' hr ec ( ir cr r
I,lr vs of Shir kcspcr r c I ' l . rr' . 1 K i n e l . c rr (l )a rt l )

(llottccsterscreamedin pxrin.'$7herc is my
son Edmund? F.clrnr.rncl, help mel'
"lraitorl' said Regan.'Fldmund h:rres
. . yoll. L,dmu.d rolcl us rhat you werc I

hclping rhe King of Frar.rce.' I

'l was wrong abour Edgar!'(lloucesrer said. 'Edgar
was nry rrtreand honesr
son. I was wrong nor ro rrusr him. Kind gods, forgive nrc, ancl help him.'
Regansaid to the scrvants,"I'hrow him our of the gercs leihim snrellhis
wav to Dover.' "rr.l
A man wenr our with the blind Gloucester.Rega' wc.r :lw2lywith her
husband,cornw:rll. His servanthad wounded him d'ri'g rhe fight and hc was
bleeding.
o
In a wild place,L,dgarwas walking alone. ffil
'My lifc ctllnot get worse,'he thought. 'Br-rrthar is
can still ho1-rc anclall changeswill make my lifb better.'
better than livipg ip fear.I
1, *"hd

He saw his father comi'g slowly towardshi.r. A' old man was lcadins him. fl
He hearcl(lloucestersay ro rhe old man, '(io away,good friend. VrLrwill .sufFer if
peoplesecyor wirh me. You will ger inro rrouble.you cannor hclp nre.'
'Vru cannor see.Whar will you do?' askccl
the old man.
'\whc. I could sec,I maclcgrearmistakcs.oh, Edgar,
F.clgarlI wa't ro live ,t
long cnough to hold you ir.rnry arms again!Is someonethere?' .#
'lt is a mad beggar,'said the old rnan. 'lt is lf
poor, mad Tbrl.'
'l)clor'lom is cold,' saiclL.dgar.'Your poor,
sweeteyes!'r'hey are cclveredin
b l o o d !'
'[)o you know rhe w:ry ro [)over, poor -lom?' asked
Clouccster.
'Yes,I know the way,"fom rcplied.
"l'here is a rock ar I)over, high abovethe sea.If you
takc r'c t. the edgeof ir,
I will give you a jewel.You will be a rich man.'
'Give me your enn. l)oor Jbrn will lead
you.'

(loneril and F.dr'Lrndwere ralking in rro]'r,o[Albany'.s

castlcwhen Goncrilt
scrvantcame out to thcm.
'The Duke of Albany is behavingsrrar-rgely,' rhc servanrsaid. ,l tell him good 9
things and hc getsangry.I tell him bad things :rnd l-reis pleased.I rold hirn about i
the French arnry a'rd he smiled. I tolcl him that yo' h.r., and he saicl,"'fhat ri
is bad!" I tolc{him about Gloucesterand that Ednrund "r" la,
was a loyrrlfriend. He said
t ha tl wa s af ool. ' 'Madarn, my lord is coming,'whisPcredthc scrv:rrrt,and L,dmtrnclwcnt away.
'o trr s c c r etwis heswi l l c o me tru e ,' s a i dG o .e ri l to L ,dmund." l ' hi s 'Oh, Gorreril,'saidAlbanyio his wif-e,'you :rrcan evil woman. Vru will come
good
servant will take my messages ro you. wcar this jewel for mc, Fldr'uncl.L., to a terri bl cend.'
Krssyou. -. 'Do not sayanv more!' said (loneril. 'Your words are fbolish"

60 6l
 Thrcc (lreat Plays ofShakcspeare l)lay3 - King l.crr (l'art 2)

'Evil people believethat wise and good people are foolish. \i7hat have you
done?You have made your father mad. Heaven will judge you.'
'Fooll' answeredhis wife. 'The King of France'sarmy is here. Our country is
not prepared.And you sit there and say,"Oh, why are rhey doing this?"'
At that momenr a messengerrushed in.
'Do you have any news?'askedAlbany.
'Oh, my lord, the Duke of Cornwall is dead. He wenr to take out Lord
Gloucestert eyesand his servantwounded him. Now he is dead!'
'Oh, poor Gloucesterl Has he losr both eyes?'said Albany.
'Both, both, my lord,' the messengerreplied. Then he turned to Goneril. 'I
have a letter from your sister,madam. You must answr it quickly.'
'Does Gloucesterbson, Edmund, know what has happened?'askedAlbany.
'Yes,my lord. Edmund told Cornwall that the Earl of Gloucester hoped for
help from the French.'
Albany said, 'I must thank Gloucester.He has shown great love to the king.
And I must punish those evil people who took out his eyes.'
a
The French army was in a camp near Dover. Cordelia was with them, but the
French king had returned to France becausehe was suddenly neededthere.
Cordelia was speakingto her doctor in an army renr. 'someone saw my father
only a short time ago. He was as mad as the troubled seawaves.Hc was singing
loudly and he was wearing a crown of flowers.'
She turned to an officer and said, 'Send out soldiers.Searchevery field and
bring my father to me.'Then she askedthe doctor, 'ls it possibleto make his
to my sister''
mind well again?' Edmund and I have talked. He is my man, not your lady's.Tell that
lot to the
'He needsto rest,' said the doctor. 'But there are also plants which will help Then she said, And find that blind traitor Gloucester!I will give a
harm us.'
him to forget his pain.' personwho kills him. Peoplefeel sorry for him, and that could
'Searchfor him,'said Cordelia.'I am afraid that he will try to kill himself.' <)

A messengerran in. 'l have news, madam!' he cried. 'The British army is In the fields near Dover, Edgar was leading Gloucester by the hand'
.vhen
marching in this direction.' will we come ro the top of that high rock?' askedGloucester.
.you 'lsn't it hard work?'
'We know that already,'said Cordelia, 'and we are prepared. Oh, dear father, are climbing up to it now,' answeredEdgar.
we have not come to take control of the country, but only to help you.' 'The ground feelsflat to me.
o 'No, it is very steep.Listen. Can you hear the sea?'
Goneril's servant came to Gloucester'scastle,carrying a letter from Goneril to 'No, I cannot,' Gloucestersaid.
,You Here
Edmund. Edmund was nor in the castle,so Regan saw rhe leter. have lost your eyesand your orher sensesare failing too. come' sir.
are the size
'l do not like this,'said Regan.'\X/hy is shewriting to Edmund? I am going to is the place.It is terrible ro look down so far!The birds down there
mice. I cannot look - I am afraid
read this letter. Give it to me. I know that Goneril does not love her husband, and of insects.The fishermen on rhe shorelook like
I have seenher look strangelyat Edmund. Does she love him? Servanr,you know
"t?|l::'-.
everything that Goneril plans and thinks. Listen to me. My husband is dead. to the place where you are standing,'ordered Gloucester.

62 63
 Three (lrcat Plays ofShakespeare l'lay 3 - King Lear(Part2)

'I have no eyes.Am I still alive?I wanted to end my life''

.. --'^frF
.;
'Give me your hand,' said Edgar. 'You are now jusr one srep from rhe edge.'
'Leave my hand,' said Gloucesrer.'Here is a purse, my friend. There is a
valuable jewel inside it. You are a poor man - this jewel will make you rich. Go
away,further away.Say goodbye ro me. Let me hear you leave.'
'Goodbye, sir,' said Edgar.
'Now I must say goodbye to life,' said Gloucesrer.'My sadnesswill end for
ever.If Edgar is alive, God will rake care of him.'
He stepped forward and fell - but he only fell on ro the ground at his feet.
Now Edgar used a difFerentvoice ro pretend to be somebody else.
'Alive or dead?Ah! You, sir, friend! Who are you, sir?'
'Co awayl' said Gloucester.'Go away and let me die!'
'lt is wonderful that you are alivel' said Edgar. 'You musr be a bird. You fell
from such a terrible height and you did not break like an egg. Look up and see
how far you fell.'
\Who
'Give me your arm,' Edgar said. 'Stand up' You can feel your legs'
brought you to the top ofthe rock?'
A poor unhappy beggar,'Gloucester replied'
'It was a devil, but the gods savedyou''
,yes,'
Gloucestersaid. 'From this moment, I will acceptmy troubles bravely.
Vhen my heart cries out, "Enough! Enough!" I will die.'
Lear came towards them, dressedin wild flowers'
'Oh!' cried Edgar. ''Vhat a terrible sight!'
Lear came nearer,shouting mad words'
'I know that voice,' Gloucestersaid. 'It is the king. Let me kiss his hand.'
Then Cordelias men arrived, looking for Lear'
.Here
he is!' called their leader.'Hold him! Your dear daughter has-'
'Daughter! Am I a prisoner?'cried Lear. 'will nobody help me? I will die
bravely! I am a kingl Do you not know that?'
'Yo,t the king, and we obey you" the leader of the men said'
.Catch"..
me, thenl Run aFterme and carch me!' Lear ran away, and the others
ran after him.
Are you still there?'Gloucester askedEdgar' 'V/ho are you?' -
,I you
am only a poor man,' Edgar answered.'Take my hand, and I will lead
to a safeplace.'
'I His
But Coneril's servantwas there. 'Good,' he said. have found Gloucester'
eyelesshead will earn me a lot of money!'
man and
He pulled out his sword, but Edgar steppedquickly between the
man down.
Glo,r"".t.r. He fought the servanr*i,ho,t, a sword, but he knocked the
'oh, I am going to die!' cried the servant.'Thke this bag. There is a letter inside
it. Give the letter to Edmund and use the money to put me in a tomb''
Edgar opened the letter. He read:
Rememberour promisesand hitt m7 husband. Then I will beTour wife.
Goneril
'I will show this letter to Albany,' Edgar said to himself. 'It is a good thing for
'come,
him that I have learned his wifet plans.'Then he turned to Gloucester.
who can help you and keep you safe'
my lord,' he said, 'I will lead yo'', io a friend
I can hear drums beating in the distance''
a
In a tent in the French camp, Cordelia was talking to the doctor'
'How is the king?'she asked.

b4 65
 I r,^,
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2t

;f'

d"

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ttot nt'c[l l
* i ll , r. l. rlre scn ',urts ro b r inq lr inr helc . Sr r r vr ' los c r o hir n r r l r . r r *. . n r r l i c h i n r . n r r i or.'ttt.. \i rrtt'si stt'r. rr.l . i ' .t' -i 1() l l l e' \t' tt Il ' l l ' r.r' :l :i ()nt() l t.t(.' tttc , Irttt thc r' l l ,tr' ,

I th ir r li he u ill q( r l )r' rrL r.'

l, r..l r'. n()t.
(l rrcl c lia liis s c . ir
l r ' r ' lrrtl rc r' .' l ' l riLsi " rri l l rrrrl i cv o rr l r.rro. N 1r,fr.r,.o
si sr.r' sIr,rr. '\o. ttol I tl o Il ot l l .tt. r' tl tt!'
rl ont grcltt h ltrnt trl vo tt.' ''\ttr I i rr l l t.ttl t,'?' Lt' :tt :ts l i etl .
' \\' i l l l oLr l c t rrre l rel l '
S he ttrrncrl r() rlr( (lo c t ( ) r ' .' I le is ir \ \ ill\ ( r ) ( ) \ \ ' . s' h. ' r : r i t l . 'S P . . r l i t o h r n r . '\.rr ri re l ,' \'()Ll r', ,1 1 l i i l gc l t,rn. s i r' .' ( .,rnl c l i rt ;ttts uetc c l .
' lt is be ttcr rlr.rr vo rr s pc ali, r r r , r r lr r nr . '
\'()i l ?'
' S ir.' (.o nle li.r srrirlto her f r r r lr . r , ' t lo '\i .s, \,cs, tl r,:rr..l ,r1ql rr..r' . l ' l .rrs . 1i ,rqi r. tttt' . I rl rl l .,l tl rrrl c l l i r< tl i s [.'
v or r k nor v nr t ?'
' \' ot r lre re ro rrrt lr'o rrr I r er n. n. ' [ . . r r l
s . r it l. ' W hc r r , lit l r , , r t r. l i c ? '
' ()h, ltloli:lt ltt('. sir'.' l. t k . ' r r r r lr r t n. l o l 'r l r e IJr i r i sh
, r r r c lgile nr t r ' , , r r r I , r v e . N o l \ i r r r n r s s r l r ( ) t l . t l r r t r r r t r ln . . r si r r t l t t l l r i ti sh L r u l tl ) tl L r r r .l ) o ve r . Il r '* r ts.,,tl ttl t.tttcl e r
f rrll to yor rr' lin .'csl' ,ll.lll\.
' l t liilt k I litto u, t'o tt, lt t t t I lut t not s r r r c , ' l. r ' r r r r it ' r i. 'l ) o 'S *e t , t l r r r - t l . s . r i tl l {e g r r r rr ,, L .l r n r r r cl ,'tcl l r r r t tl r t tr tr tl t. l ) tl vo tt l o r t'l l l r ststct
t n o t I : t r r g l rr r t l r r c . I
t h inli thrr r tlris l,rrlv is n rv r hilr l. ( . or c l. ' lir r . ' ( , t t r t t r i l ? , \ 1 . ' t t t t t t l o sc to l l t t'?
' S Ir. isl Slrt isi' (.on lel ir r n. t , pt . .N(), I :r r l l l t( ) t, n ) i l L l :1 1 n l.'.tl r r tti l tr l r cl l l i ,:d .
I P r - o r t r i \ r . \.( ) Lt]tl
l rr

()
 'l'hree
Great Plays ofShakespearc [)lay.1- King Lear(Pert2)

Regan did not believehim. She thought it would be better ro lose the coming
battle than to lose this man to her sister.
Albany and Goneril arrived and they all prepared for battle. The sistershated
each other more rhan ever. Each sister knew that the other sister wanted Edmund.
In one of the tents, Albany spoke to Edgar, who was still pretending to be a
stranger.
.Before
you fight in battle,' said Edgar, 'open this letter. If you win, send for
me. I can bring someonewho will prove that the words in this letter are true.'
He wenr out, leaving Albany alone. Then Edmund came in. The enemy was
very near, so Albany went to meet them with his army.
'I love both thesesisters,'thought Edmund. '\which shall I marry? If I choose
Goneril, then Albany must die. He wants to forgive Lear and Cordelia, but I will
not forgive them! lf we win, they will fall into my Power.'
a
The batrle was bitter. In the end, Edmund and the British army were more
powerful than the French army. The British soldierstook Lear and Cordelia as
prisoners.
.I
am only worried about you,' cordelia said to her father. 'I do not care
about myself. Do you think we will seemy sisters?'
,No!'
said Lear. ''we must nor seerhem! Let us go away to prison. \rhen you
'We
ask for my love, I will ask you to forgive me. will sing and tell old storiesand

.n\ laugh.'
:T"k"
them away,' said Edmund. He sent for a captain. 'Your orders are in this
letter. \Will you obey me?'
nffilll|ll\.
,ii;',.
ry \ 'I will, sir,' the man said.
'Go, then, and do it. Do exactly what I say.'
,f,'&" "'" Albany, Goneril, Regan and their soldiersarrived.
.you
$. are holding the prisonersfrom this battle,' Albany said to Edmund. 'l
want you to bring them here.'
'people feel very sorry for the old king,' Edmund said. 'l thoughr it was wise
to keep him in a secretplace. Soldiersare guarding him, and I sent Cordelia with
him. I will bring them to you tomorrow.'
Albany was very angry that Edmund had taken Lear and Cordelia away
without his permission. 'Sir,' he said to Edmund, 'in this war you are under my

tu
command.'
There was a quarrel. Edmund said that he was the new Earl of Gloucester.At the
sametime, the sistersquarrelledtoo. Each sistersaid that Edmund was her lover'
,you
cannot say that you love him when you are married [o me,' Aibany said
-@; to Goneril.'Edmund, you and Goneril are traitors. If no one elsecomes to prove
it, I will prove it myself with my sword.'
Regan suddenly grew faint. 'Oh, I am ill!'she cried.
.If
she is not ill,' thought Goneril, 'l have made a mistake and mixed her
drink wrongly.'
'I will fight any man who calls me a traitor,'shouted Edmund.
'You will fight alone,'Albany replied. 'I have sent all your men away''

68 69
 Thrcc Grcat Plays ofShakespeare
Play3 - King l.ear(l)irrt2)

'Oh! I feel worsel' said Regan.Albany ordered the servantsto take her to
her tent.
Then Edgar came in. He was carrying a sword, and his face was hidden.
'Pull out your sword,' he cried to Edmund. 'You were disloyal to your brother,
your father and Lord Albany. You are a traitor!'
'My sword will answeryou,' cried Edmund.
They fought and Edmund was wounded.
'This is a trick,' said Goneril. 'By the laws of war, you do not have to fight an
enemy unlessyou know his name.' "r '
'Shut your mouth, woman,' said Albany, 'or I will shut it with this paper.' He
waved her letter to Edmund in the air. 'Ah! I can seethat you recognizeid'
Goneril ran out.
"Who are you?'said Edmund to the man who had wounded him.
'My name is Edgar. I am your fathert son.'
Albany took Edgar'shand. 'I never hated you or your father. tVhere did you
hide? How did you know what happened to your father?'
In a few words Edgar told his story.
'Only half an hour ago,' he said, 'I told my father who I was. I told him
everything. But, I am sorry to say,it was too much for his heart. His happiness
and his sadnesswere too much for him, and he died.'
A man entered, holding a bloody knife in his hand.
''What does this mean?' askedAlbany.
'Your lady, sir, your lady-'
'Lady Goneril poisoned Regan becauseof her love for me,' Edmund said.
'And now it seemsthat she has killed herself.'
Servantsbrought in the bodies of Goneril and Regan. Edmund was also dying.
'I am afraid of death,' he said. 'I must try to do one good act before I die.
Send men to the castle.I told my soldiers to kill Lear and Cordelia. I gavethem
secretorders to make the people there say that Cordelia killed herself.'
After the servantscarried Edmund away,Lear came in with Cordelia in
his arms.
'I know when someone is dead and when she is alive,' he cried. She is as dead
as the earth. A curse on you, you murderers.You are all traitors! I wanted to save
her. Now she has gone for ever.'
He bent down and seemedto listen to her. 'Ha! Her voice was alwavssoft.
gentle and low. That is an excellentthing in a woman.' He fell, and Edgar ran to him. 'Look up, my lord' No - he is dead''
A messengercame in. 'Edmund is dead, my lord.' 'It is surprising that he lived for so long,' said Albany'
And my poor child is dead,' said Lear. He could not breathe. 'Vill you, Edgar shook his h."d sadly.'\7e younger ones must live with the unhappiness
please,undo this button ... Thank you, sir.' of thesesad times.'

70 71
E lmaginethat Macbeth,Lady
Macbeth, Edmund,Regan,GoneriI
and Cornwall are in prison for THE DAILYTIMES
their actions and crimes. The
prison is too crowded and one
of them must be freed.Which
one?Work in groups of six.

. The deathsof RomeoandJuliet

Planthe discussion
. The death of Macbeth
Writethe six nameson cardsandturn them over.Thenchoosea card.lmaginethat . The deathsof Cordeliaand KingLear
yo: ontlat card
Person
"1":h.:
Have the discussion Makenotesabout the story undertheseheadings:
Explain:. why you deserveto leaveprisonmorethan the others. why your crime
is lessseriousthan the others'. why the othersare a biggerdangerto society The main events
. who or what you blamefor your bad behaviour Main information: $7hat happened?\When?'J[here?How?

Defendyoursetfand answerthe otherstudents'questions. The background storY

Vhy did these people die?'Who killed them?
Make the discussion Interviews with witnesses
lirhat was their relationship
i Nowhavea freediscussion.
who madetheworstarguments?
Whomadethe best? vho did you interview? \whar did they see?
i Sowhodoesyourgroupthinkshouldleaveprison? with the dead people?'W'erethe deaths necessary?
\W'ho do they blame? 1why? How do they feel about the events?
Vote as a class.Whowitl leave?
Your opinion
tWerethe deaths necessary?
\fhat lessonscan we learn?
Work with other students.Discusseachstatement.Do you agreewith it?why
(not)?Thendiscussthe questions.
- 'Withoutthewitchesandhiswife,Macbeth
i! Doyou believein witches,
wouldbea goodman.'
ghostsandblackmagic?Why(not)? Votes
Fora happy[ife,is it moreimportant
to be powerful,
richor free?Why?
'Romeo andJulietwerenot unlucky.They madesitlymistakes.'
Doyou believein loveat firstsight?Why (not)?
Doarranged marriagesstitlexist?
Where? Whatisyouropinionof them?
'KingLearandCloucester wereold buttheywerenotwise.'
[['l
ls it possible
for ordinary
people to livea completely honest[ife?
Whenis lyingacceptable? Whenis it unacceptable?
Haveyoueversuffered because someone hastolda lieaboutyou?
Whatistheworstliethatyou haveevertold?Whathappened asa result? Now write your report on anotherpieceof PaPer.
7?
 ,n these three plays.Shakespearewrites about relationshipsand how they Work in grouPs.lmaginethat you are going to
O introduce your new friend to yotq parents'What
can go wrong. Discussthe relationshipsin the pictures below.What problems
were causedby the charactersof the two people? would your parentsthink important?Tick (/) the
list below.
E Yournew friend should:

we[[at thedinnertable.
behave bethe sameageasYou.
results.
havegoodexamination
be cleanandwell-dressed.
comefroma goodfamitY. havea good job.

begood-tooking. havethe samenationalitY.

not smoke. be religious.

jobs? Discussthem
Which of thesequalitiesare most important to you in relationshipswith what personalqualities do you think are neededfor these
friends?Numberthem, 1-8.Thendiscussyour list with other students.Are in groups and make notes.
your lists similar or completely different? ls there a difference betweenthe
answersof male and femalestudents?What other qualitieswouldyou addto
the list?

Notes
a senseof humour f ..............
physicalaftractive

b .............
ki nd g .. .. fun-loving

c intelligent h ..............
strong character

d hard-working i ..............
honest

e punctual i loves reading

 look at your notes from Exercise4. Discusswhich people havethe right
qualitiesfor eachof the jobs.

Ct oor" one of the studentsin your group and one of the jobs from Exercise
@
4. lmaginethat he or she has askedyou to write a letter of support. Complete
the letter below,describinghis or her qualities.

Dear Sir/Ma.da^m
I understand tbat you are tblnking of emploJrinl
. . . . . . .. a 8 a , ..............
In my oplnlon, ........ would be a very good choioe fon
theJob. ........ certainly has the rit[t qualities.

Please contact me aain if you would like an;r more infono.ation.

Yor:rs faithfufry