牛津书虫系列1-6级 双语 2A-01.William Shakespeare

WillIamShakespeare简介1578年艾汶河畔的斯特拉福镇。有位男孩坐在书桌旁专心地学习，他认真听课、拼命看书。可他在想些什么呢？1587年伦敦。一位年轻人首次到伦敦谋生。他听着闹市的喧嚣声，看看伦敦塔雄伟的大墙，望着泰晤士河的淙淙流水。“静谧的泰晤士河，潺潺地流淌，直到我唱完心中1601年伦敦。泰晤士河上的船夫对人群大声喊着：“快来，快来，快来呀！‘环球剧院’快挤满人啦！”2000多观众渡过河，前来观看莎士比亚的最新一部戏剧——《哈姆雷特》。这本讲述莎士比亚生平故事的书是由托比叙述的。托比不是一个真实的人物——或许莎士比亚也曾有过这样一位朋友，不过，我们无法确知。但是书中的其他人物历史上确有其人。他们非常熟悉这位演员、诗人兼剧作家莎士比亚。他们称他“莎士比亚缙绅”都认为他是英国最杰出的诗人。他的朋友本·琼生曾这样写道：“他不属于一个时代，而是属于所有的时代。”本书作者詹妮弗·芭斯特是位资历很深的教师和作家。她生活在英国西南的德文郡。1TobyremembersMynameisToby．I'manoldman，eighty-threethisspring．MyhouseisrightinthemiddleofStratford-upon-Avon，andIcanwatchthestreetmarketfrommywindow．ButIliveveryquietlynow．I'mjustanoldman，sittinginachair．IonceknewthegreatestmaninEngland．ForthirtyyearsIwashisfriend．Iworkedwithhiminthetheatre，throughthegoodtimesandthebadtime．Hewasagoodfriendtome．Hewasalsothebestplaywright，thebestpoet，thateverlivedinEngland．WillShakespearewashisname．Isawallhisplaysinthetheatre．Peoplelovedthem．Theyshouted，laughedandcried，ateoranges，andcalledformore．Allkindsofpeople．Kings，Queens，Princes，greatlordsandladies，poorpeople，theboyswhoheldthehorses…everyone．WillShakespearecouldpleasethemall．第1页共23页 Heputmeinaplayonce．Well，heusedmyname-Toby．TwelfthNightwastheplay，Iremember．SirTobyBelch．Hewasabigfatman，wholikeddrinkingtoomuchandhavingagoodtime．QueenElizabeththeFirstwatchedthatplay-onTwelfthNight，the6thofJanuary，1601．Shelikedit，too．Will'sdeadnow，ofcourse．He'sbeendeadmorethanthirtyyears，andnooneseeshisplaysnow．ThePuritanshaveclosedallthetheatres．There'snosinging，nodancing，noplays．Itwasn'tlikethatinmyyoungdays．WehadagoodtimeinLondonWillandII'venoteethnow，andmyhairhasallfallenout，butIcanstillthink—andremember．IrememberwhenWillandIwereyoung，justboysreally…2Stratford-upon-AvonItwasasunnydayinOctober1579whenIfirstmetWill，justoutsideStratford，nearabigfieldofappletrees．Isawaboyupinoneofthetrees．Hehadredhairandlookedabouttwoyearsolderthanme．‘ThoseareFarmerNash'sapples，Isaid，‘andhe'llsendhisdogsafteryouifheseesyou．’boysaidComeonTheyregoodapples．’ThenextminuteIwasupthetreewithhim．ButWillwaswrong．FarmerNashwasn'tatthemarket，andafewminuteslaterwesawhisangryredfaceabovethewallonthefarsideofthefield．WillandIranlikethewindandonlystoppedwhenwereachedtheriver．Wesatdowntoeatourapples．Willwasfifteen，andlivedinHenleyStreet，hetoldme．HisfatherwasJohnShakespeare，andhehadasister，Joan，andtwoyoungerbrothers，GilbertandRichard．Therewasanothersisterwhodied，Ilearntlater．Andthenextyearhehadanotherbrother，littleEdmund—thebabyofthefamily．第2页共23页 withmymother'sbrother：He'sashoe-makerinElyStreetandIworkforhim．Whatdoyoudo？’seveno'clockuntilfiveo'clock．NotSundays，ofcourse．’d‘Sometimes．Usuallyit'sallright．’Helaybackandputhishandsbehindhishead．‘ButwehavetoreadandlearnalltheseLatinwriters．IwanttoreadmodernglishwriterslikeGeoffreyChaucerCanyoureadheaskedWillsatupandbegantoeatanotherapple．‘Iwanttobeawriter，’hesaid．‘Apoet．Iwantthatmorethananythingintheworld．’Wewerefriendsfromthatday，untilthedayhedied．Wemetnearlyeveryday，andhetaughtmealotaboutbooksandpoetryandwriters．Healwayshadhisnoseinabook．WhenWillleftschool，heworkedforhisfatherinHenleyStreet．JohnShakespearewasaglove-maker，andhehadotherbusinesstoo，likebuyingandsellingsheep．ButWillwasn'tinterested．WhatarewegoingtodoTobyhesaidtomeoneday‘Wecan'tspendallourlivesmakingshoesandgloves！’ndtheworld，likeFrancisDrake．DrakesailedbacktoPlymouthin1581，afterhisthree-yearjourneyroundtheworld，butwewerestillinStratford．Wemadelotsofplans，butnothingevercameofthem．Willwasstillreadingalotandhewasalreadywritingpoemshimself．Hesometimesshowedthemtome，andIsaidtheywereverygood．Ididn'treallyknowanythingaboutpoetrythen，buthewasmyfriend．Willwasnothappywithhiswriting．‘I'vegotsomuchtolearn，Toby，’hesaid．‘Somuchtolearn．’PoorWill．Hehadalottolearnaboutwomen，too．OnedayinOctober1582hecametomyhousewithalongface．see第3页共23页 ‘Perhapsyouwill‘’hesaid‘‘butI'mgoingtobemarriedinafewweeks'time．ToAnneHathaway．’Mymouthfellopenandstayedopen．‘Married！ToAnneHathaway？IsthattheHathawaysoveratShottery？’‘Yes‘’Willsaid．Iwasworkingonsomeshoesonthetable‘andWillpickedoneupandlookedatit．‘Well‘er‘she'safinegirl‘ofcourse‘’Isaiduncomfort-ably．‘But…but‘Will‘she'stwenty-sixandyou'reonlyeighteen！’‘Iknow‘’Willsaid．‘ButI'vegottomarryher．’s‘That'sright‘’saidWill．‘Inaboutsixmonths'timeI'mgoingtobeafather．’3TheactorscometotownWillmarriedAnneHathawayinNovember‘andshecametoliveinHenleyStreet．JohnShakespearewaspleasedthathisoldestsonwasmarried‘butIdon'tthinkWill'smotherwantedhimtomarrysoyoung．Familiescostalotofmoney‘andJohnShakespearewashavingalotofmoneytroublesinthosedays．TimeswerehardinHenleyStreet．SusannawasbornthenextMay．Allbabieslookthesametome‘butWillwasverypleasedwithher．‘Look‘Toby‘she'sgotmyeyes‘’hesaidhappily．‘She'sgoingtobeasbeautifulastheQueenofEgypt‘andascleverasKingSolomon．’OhyesIsaid．‘Allparentstalklikethatabouttheirchildren．Idon'tbelieveawordofit．’Ididn'tseemuchofWill'swife．Iknewshedidn'tlikeme．Toher‘IwasoneofWill'swildfriends‘whogothimintotrouble．Shecamefromaveryserious‘Puritanfamily．Lotsofchurch-going‘andnosingingordancing．Soontherewasanotherbabyontheway‘andoneeveninginFebruary1585IhurriedroundtoHenleyStreettohearthenews．Will'ssister‘Joan‘openedthedoor‘andthenWillcamerunningdownthestairs．第4页共23页 twonderful！’Willhadsomegoodfriends‘HamnetandJudithSadler‘andhecalledthetwinsafterthem．JohnShakespearewasverypleasedtohavehisfirstgrandson‘andeveryonewashappy．Forawhile．WillandIstillwentaroundtogetherwhenwecould．Hewasstillreading‘andwriting‘andsoonIcouldseeachangeinhim．Hewastwenty-threenow‘andhewasnothappywithhislife．‘Stratford'stoosmall‘Toby‘’hesaid．‘Tooslow．Tooquiet．Tooboring．I'vegottogetaway．’afamilythreeyoungchildren‘remember．’Hedidn'tanswer．Inthesummermonthscompaniesofplayersoftencametosmalltowns‘andin1587fivedifferentcompaniescame．WillandIalwayswenttoseetheplays．WilllovedtotalktotheactorsandtolistentoalltheirstoriesofLondonTheQueen'sMencametoStratfordinJune‘andwewenttoseetheplay．Idon'trememberwhatitwas．IknowthatIlaughedalot‘andthatWillsaiditwasastupidplay‘withnotawordofpoetryinit．ughedAnnewouldneverspeaktomeagainIdidn'tsayanything‘andWilllookedatmeandlaughedagain．Ithappenedafewmonthslater．IwalkedintotheShakespeares'kitchenoneevening‘andtherewasAnne‘withared‘angryface‘shoutingatthetopofhervoice．‘Howcanyoudothistome？Andwhataboutthechildren—’Thenshesawmeandstopped．Willwassittingatthetable‘andlookedpleasedtoseeme．‘I'vetoldAnne‘’hesaidquietly‘‘thatI'mgoingtoliveinLondon．Iwanttobeanactor‘andtowriteplays‘ifIcan．’‘Plays！’screamedAnne．‘Acting！Actorsaredirty‘wickedpeople！They'reallthievesandcriminals！Theydrinkalldayandtheynevergotochurch—’‘Don'tbestupid‘Anne．Youknowthat'snottrue．Listen．I'llcomehomewhen第5页共23页 Ican，butImustgotoLondon．Ican'tdoanythinginStratford．’Helookedatmeacrosstheroom．‘Areyoucomingwithme，Toby？’d4AnewlifeinLondonIt'stwodaysjourneytoLondonbyhorse，andWilltalkedalltheway．Hiseyeswerebrightandexcited．Hewasfullofplans，andpoems，andaloveoflife．ItalkedtooneoftheQueensMenhetoldmeHesaidthathecouldfindmeworkinthetheatre．Acting，perhaps．Orhelpingtowritesomeplays．Ishowedhimsomeofmywriting，andhewasveryinterested．WhenwerodeintoLondon，Ibegantofeelafraid．Thiswasabig，bigcity，andwewerejusttwounimportantyoungmenfromasmalltown．I'llneverforgetthenoise，andthesmells，andthecrowds．Therewere200，000peoplelivingintheCityofLondon—Ineversawsomanypeoplebeforeinmylife．WewentdowntotheriverThamesandsawthefamousLondonBridge，withallitsshopsandhouses．DowntheriverwastheTowerofLondon．EnemiesoftheQueenwentintotheTowerthroughtherivergate，andmostlycameoutwithouttheirheads．WefoundasmallinninEastcheap，nottooexpensive，andhadsomebread，meat，andbeerforoursupper．Helaughed．‘Everything！’Thenextdaywebegantolookforwork．Thoseearlyyearswerewonderful．Wedidn'thavemuchmoney，ofcourse，andwehadtoworkveryhard．Anewactoronlygotsixshillingsaweek，andtherewasn'tworkeveryweek．Idecidednottobeanactor．WewereworkingthatmonthfortheQueen'sMenatthetheatrecalledTheCurtainupinShoreditch．Willwasactingfoursmallpartsintwodifferentplays．Heplayedasoldierandamurdererinoneplay，andintheotherplayhewasathief，andalsoanItalianlordinlovewiththeQueenoftheNight．Andhelovedit．‘I'mnotcleverlikeyou，Isaid．‘Ican'trememberallthosewords．Iforgetwho第6页共23页 IsaythesoldierswordswhenImanItalianlordIcomeonstagetoolateortoosoon．Istandinallthewrongplaces…’Willlaughed．‘Whatareyougoingtodo，then？’hesaidtheyneedanewmantohelpwithalltheclothesandtheotherthings．’tomorrow，andIhavetodiewithlotsofblood．Howareyougoingtogetmesomeblood？’‘I'vealreadygotit！Ismiledkindlyathim．‘Sheep'sbloodIgotitdownatSmithfieldmarketthismorning．Youcanhaveasmuchbloodasyouwant．I'mkeepingitwarmforyou！’Willwasgoodatacting．Notthebest，butgood．Anactorhadtodoeverything．Hehadtolearnhiswords，ofcourse—perhapsforsixdifferentplaysattheyHehadtodanceandsing，andplaymusic．Hehadtojump，andfall，andfight．Andthefightshadtolookreal．TheplaygoersofLondonknewarealfightwhentheysawone．JohnHemingesoftheQueen'sMentaughtusbothalot．Hewasagoodfriend，thenandformanyyears．Ihadalottolearn，too．Ilearnthowtomakeshoesoutofbrownpaper．Howtocleantheactorshatswithabitofbread．Thentheylookedlikenewagain．IranalloverLondontobuythebesthairforthewigs．Ilearnthowtomakefish，andfruit，andapieceofmeatoutofwoodandcolouredpaper．Willwasbusydayandnight．Idon'tknowwhenheslept．Hewasactinginplays，hewaswritinghisownplays，hewasreadingbooks，hewasmeetingotherwriters，makingfriends…Hewaslearning，learning，learning．OnedaywewerehavingaglassofbeerwithRichardBurbageattheBoar'sHeadinEastcheap．BurbagewasanactorwithLordStrange'sMen．HewasveryfriendlywithWill．gettingbetterallthetime．AndI'mgettingbetterasanactorallthetime．ComeandworkwithLordStrange'sMenattheRosetheatreonBankside．Youcanwriteforus．’SowebothwenttotheRose．JohnHemingescamewithus，andAugustinePhillips—hewasagoodactor，too．WeworkedharderthaneverattheRose．Playswerealwaysintheafternoon，becauseofthedaylight．Wehadrehearsalsinthemorning，andbylunch-第7页共23页 timepeoplewerealreadycomingacrosstherivertogettheirplacesfortheplay．Andmoreandmorepeoplecame．By1592LondonwashearingthenameWilliamShakespeareagainandagain．5TheplagueyearsWillwrotehisplayRichardⅢforRichardBurbage，anditwasagreatsuccess．RichardtheThirdwasawickedking—amurderer－buthewaswonderfulonthestage，withBurbage'sgreatvoiceandfineacting．SoonallLondonwassayingKingRichard'sfamouswordswhenhishorseiskilledinwar：Ahorse！ahorse！mykingdomforahorse！AllkindsofpeoplecametoseeplaysandWillwasmakingalotofnewfriends．Oneday，aftertheplay，hewastalkingtoayoungmanoutsidetheRose．Hewasaverybeautifulyoungman，abitlikeagirl，perhaps—butstillverygood-looking．Later，IaskedWillwhohewas．‘TheEarlofSouthampton，Willsaid．He'sonlyeighteen，buthelovespoetryandplays．’‘Isn'theafriendoftheEarlofEssex？’Iasked．EverybodyknewtheEarlofEssex．Hewasyoungandgood-looking—andsomepeoplesaidthatQueenElizabethwasinlovewithhim．Idon'tknowaboutthat．TheQueenwasfifty-nineyearsold，andavery，verycleverwoman．Butitwastruethatshelikedtohavegood-lookingyoungmenaroundher，andtheEarlofEssexwasherfavourite．Then．Itallchangedlater，ofcourse.‘Yes，heis，’saidWill．‘ButIthinkEssexisadangerousmanHenryneedsbetterfriendsthanhim．’NotLordSuthampton？’‘Onlywhenotherpeoplearen'tthere．’Willlaughed．‘I'mstilljustanactorfromStratford，Toby．Notveryimportant．Let'sgoandhaveadrinkattheBoar'sHeadonourwayhome．’Willwasalwayslikethat．Quiet，nevershoutingabouthimselftotheworld．IntheBoar'sHeadwemetsomefriendsandstartedtalking．Thetalkwasallabouttheplague，whichwascomingbackagainintoLondon．‘Haveyouheardthelatestnews？saidoneman．‘Theysaythatmorethanthirtypeoplearedyingeveryweeknow．’第8页共23页 ‘AndtheCityCouncil‘’saidanotherman‘wantstocloseallthetheatres．TheyalwaysdothatwhentheplaguecomestoLondon．There'llbenoworkforanyofusactors．’‘Yes‘’saidthefirstman．‘Butit'sahardlife．Adifferenttown‘adifferentinn‘adifferentplay‘everynight．IthinkI'llstayinLondon．’Theplagueisterribleinanyplace‘butitwasworstinLondon．Inthosenarrowstreets‘withhousessoclosetogether‘andthedirtywaterrunningdownthemiddleofthestreet‘therewasnoescape．Whentheplaguecame‘itranlikefirethroughthetown．Ifsomeoneinahousegottheplague‘thenthedoorswereshutandlocked‘andabigredcrosswasputonthedoor．Nobodycouldleavethehouse．Youhadtostayinsideandfight—ordie．Ifyouwererich‘youleftLondonasfastasyoucould．InSeptember1592theCityCouncilclosedthetheatres．Wecan'tstayinLondon．’YougobacktoStratford‘Toby‘’hesaidslowly．‘I'mgoingtoLordSouthampton'shomeinHampshireforawhile．He'saskedmetogoandstaywithhim．Icandosomewritingthere‘readhisbooks‘meetafewpeople．’Ilookedathim．‘There'sawomaninthissomewhere‘isn'tthere？You'vehadastrangelookinyoureyesforweeks．’Willlaughed‘butdidn'tanswermyquestion．ThetheatresinLondondidn'topenagainuntilJune1594．WilloftenvisitedLordSouthampton‘butsometimeswewentontourwiththecompany‘orspenttimeathomeinStratford．WillbegantospendmoretimeinStratford‘becauseitwasquietthere‘andhecoulddohiswriting．IneverheardwhatAnnethoughtaboutitall．DuringthoseyearsWillwrotealotofpoetry．Hewrotehisbeautifullongpoem‘VenusandAdonis‘forhisfriendLordSouthampton‘andhewrotemanyofhisfamousshortpoems‘theSonnets．Buttheydidn'tgoinabook；theywereonlyforhisfriendstoread．Oneday‘whenwewerebackinLondon‘Iwasreadingsomeofhislatestsonnets．Willwasoutsomewhere‘andIwasathomeinourlodgingsinBishopsgate．Alotofthepoemswereaboutawoman‘aterrible‘black-haired‘black-eyedwoman．Shewascoldandcruel‘thenshewastrueandloving‘andthenshewascruelagain．ForIhavesworntheefair‘andthoughttheebright‘第9页共23页 Whoartasblackashell，asdarkasnight．WasWillwritingabouthimselfhere？Iaskedmyself．Andwhowasthiswoman，thisDarkLady？Ialwaysliketoknowwhat'sgoingon，soIlistened，andwatched，andlookedatallhiswomenfriends．ThenonedayIsawher．Iwascominginthedooratourlodgings，andshewascomingdownstairs．Shehadblackhairandgreatstormyblackeyes，andtherewasgoldatherearsandroundherneck．Istoodbackandshewentpastmelikeashipsailingintowar．Shelookedwild，andangry，andvery，verybeautiful．selfIfthatsWillsDarkLadyhellneverhaveaquieteasylifeThewomanlookedItalian，soIwentandaskedJohnFlorioabouther．FloriowasLordSouthampton'sItalianteacher．Wesawalotofhiminthosedays．Idescribedthewoman，andheknewheratonce．Lanier．Beforethat，shelivedwiththeoldLordChamberlain．Shewasnothiswife，youunderstand．Butwhydoyouwanttoknow，myfriend？’‘Ifshe'samarriedlady，shedoesn'thavealovernow，then？’Floriolaughedloudly．‘Lovers！Youdon'tknowEmiliaLanier！She'sabadwoman，myfriend，abadwoman．’Nowhespokeveryquietly．‘ForatimeshewasthefriendofLordSouthampton．Butnotnow．Thatisallfinished．’Ididn'taskhimaboutWill．PerhapsEmiliaLanierwasWill'sDarkLady，orperhapsWillwasjusttryingtohelphisfriendLordSouthampton．Nobodywilleverknownow．6DeathinthefamilyAftertheplagueyears，wewerebusyallthetime．TherewerenewcompaniesofplayersandWillnowbelongedtotheLordChamberlain'sMen．TheLordChamberlainwasaveryimportantman，closetotheQueen，andweoftenputonplaysfortheQueen'scourt，andinthehousesofthegreatlordsofEngland．Wehadsomeverygoodactors．TherewasWill，andRichardBurbage，ofcourse，andJohnHeminges．AndtherewasAugustinePhillips，HenryCondell，andThomasPope．Therewereotheractors，too，butthosesixweretherealcompany．Theyworkedtogetherformorethantwentyyears．Andmadealotofmoney，too．第10页共23页 IdidthecostumesandpropertiesfortheChamberlain's．JohnHemingessaidIwasthebestpropertiesmaninthecity．Willwasspecial—becausehewrotetheplays．Andwhatplaystheywere！Heneverwrotethesameplaytwice，likesomewriters．Hewasalwaystryingsomethingnew，somethingdifferentAndhewrotefast，too．JohnHemingescouldneverunderstandthat．‘Howcanyouwritesofast，Will？’heaskedhim．‘Andyounevermakeamistakeorchangeaword．’Willdidn'treallyunderstandithimself．‘It'sallinmyhead，’hesaid．‘Ithinkaboutit，andthenitjustcomesoutonpaper．’Hewroteaplayaboutlovein1595．Younglove．ItwasRomeoandJuliet．Itwasaverysadplay，becausetheyoungloversdieattheend．Buttheplaygoerslovedit．Theywantedtoseeitagainandagain．WillplayedthepartofoldCapulet，Juliet'sfather．OneoftheboyactorsplayedthepartofJuliet．Therewerenowomenactors，soboysplayedallthewomen'sparts．OfcourseWillneverputreallove-makingonstage．Hediditallwithwords—clever，beautifulwords，andyouforgotthatthewomenandgirlswerereallyboysindresses．Someoftheboyactorswereverygood，andwentontoplaymen'spartswhentheywereolder．WeplayedRomeoandJulietatRichmondPalacethatyear．WealwaysplayedbeforetheQueenatChristmas．Shelikedtoseethenewplays，andshepaidus￡10aplay．Weoftenhadtoworkthroughthenighttogetthestagereadyintime，butitwasexcitingtobeinoneoftheQueen'spalacesatChristmas．Therewasalotofsinginganddancing，andeatinganddrinking．SomeyearsChristmasbeganinNovemberanddidn'tfinishuntilFebruaryorMarch．Theyear1596beganwell，butthatsummertheweatherwasreallybad．Cold．Wet．Itneverstoppedraining，andtheplaguebegantocomebackintoLondon．WewereinStratfordforthesummer，butIwentdowntoHampshireforafewweekstodosomebusinessforWillaboutsomesheep．Willdidn'tneedmeathome，becausehewasbusywritinghisnewplay，AMidsummerNight'sDream．IcamebacktoStratfordonewetAugustevening．ThehouseinHenleyStreetwasstrangelyquiet，andIwentroundthebackanduptoWill'sroom—hiswritingroom，wecalledit．Hewasjustsittingtherenotdoinganything，justsitting．‘What'sthematter，Will？Isaid．‘Whereiseverybody？’AtchurchHisfacewasgrey，andhiseyeslookedempty，dead．WhatshappenedIaskedWhatisit？’第11页共23页 Helookedatme．‘Hamnet…’hebegan．‘Hamnetwasilllastweek，and…andhedied，yesterday．Hewasonlyeleven，Toby，andhe'sdead．Myboy．MyonlyWhatCanyousaytoamanwhensomethinglikethathappenstohim？Isatdownnexttohimandputmyhandonhisarm．Wesattogether，silently．IknewthatWilllovedthatboyofhis—red-haired，brightasanewpenny，fulloflife．Justlikehisfather．AfterawhileIsaid，‘You'llhaveothersons‘Anne'sfortyalready．’Will'svoicewastired．‘She'shadnochildrensincethetwins．’‘Well，now，you'vegottwofinegirlsinSusannaandJudith．They'llmarrybeforelong，andthenyou'llhavemoregrandsonsthanyoucancount．You'llsee．There'llbeboysrunningupanddownstairs，shoutingfortheirGranddadWill！’Hesmiledsadly，buthiseyeswerenotsoemptynow．Pleased，Iwentonquickly：‘Andthereareallyourbrothers—Gilbert，Richard，Edmund．They'llhavesonstoo．TheShakespearefamilywillneverdieout．Thinkofthefamily，Will，thefamily！’Andhedid．Hewasalreadyafamouspoetandplaywright，buthewasafamilyman，too．Thenextyear，1597，heboughtanewhouseforhisfamily．Itwasabig，grandhouse，calledNewPlace，rightinthemiddleofStratford．Itcost￡60—alotofmoney—andthetownspeoplebegantosay‘MrShakespeare’，not‘YoungWilltheactor’or‘JohnShakespeare'sboy’．Theywerehappytodobusinesswithhim，andtoborrowmoneyfromhim．Annewasverypleasedwiththenewhouse．ThewifeofMrShakespeareofNewPlacewasanimportantpersoninStratford．Butshestilldidn'tlikeWill'swork．interestedinplaysorthetheatre，andIdon'twanttoknowanythingaboutyourwork．’Butshelikedthemoney，andthenewhouse，andthenewdresses—andthesixfieldsofappletreesandthebigfarmnorthofStratfordthatcameafewyearslater．WillnevertalkedmuchaboutHamnet．LifegoesonandWillwasbusierthanever．ButIknowhethoughtabouthissonalot；hisgriefwasverydeepinsidehim．Ayearortwolater，IwastalkingtoJohnHemingesabutthecostumesforWill'snewplay，KingJohn．JohnHemingeswasafamilyman—hehadfourteenchildreninthe第12页共23页 end．Thenoiseishishouse！Shoutingandlaughing，comingandgoing…okingattheplaybookYouseethisbithereTobyhesaid．‘Will'swritingabouthisson，isn'the？’Ireadthewordsslowly，andrememberedWill'semptyeyesthatdayinAugust．Grieffillstheroomupofmyabsentchild，Liesinhisbed，walksupanddownwithme，Putsonhisprettylooks，repeatshiswords…RichardBurbagesaidoncethatWill'swritingchangedafterHamnet'sdeath．Willstilllaughedatpeopleinhisplays，buthealsofeltsorryforthem—sorryforalltheworld，goodandbad，richandpoor，youngandold．Andhispeoplewerereal．NoTherewasamancalledShylockinhisplayTheMerchantofVenice．ThisShylockwasamoney-lenderandacruelman—everyonehatedhim．Butintheend，whenShylocklosteverything，youhadtofeelsorryforhim．Hewasjustasadoldman．PerhapsRichardwasright．AndifanyoneunderstoodWill，itwasRichardBurbage．7Queens，Kings，andPrincesEveryyearwetookmoreandmoreplaystocourtatChristmas．In1598oneofWill'splayswasHenryIV．AlotoftheplaywasabouttheKing'ssonandhisfriend，SirJohnFalstaff．SirJohnwasold，fat，lazy，dranktoomuch，talkedtoomuch，laughedtoomuch．Butyouhadtolovehim．HewasagreatfavouritewiththeLondonplaygoers，andtherewerealotofFalstaffjokesgoingroundatthetime．Aftertheplay，theQueenwantedtospeaktoWill．‘Why？WhathaveWedonewrong？’JohnHemingessaidtomeinaveryquietvoice．WeallwatchedwhileWillwalkedovertotheQueen'schair．Shewasanoldwoman，sheworearedwig，andshehadblackteeth．Butshewasstillaverygreatqueen．AndiftheQueenwasnotpleased…Shehadagood，strongvoice—anactor'svoice．Wecouldhearhereasily．第13页共23页 ‘MrShakespeare‘shebegan．Thenshesmiled‘andsuddenlyyouknewwhyallEnglishmenlovedtheQueen．Itwaslikethesuncomingoutonaspringmorning．‘MrShakespeare‘youarethebestplaywrightinEngland．Ienjoyedyourplay‘andIthoughtthatSirJohnFalstaffwasveryfunny．IhaveknownmanyEnglishmenlikehim．Willyouwritemeanotherplay？IwouldliketoseeSirJohninlove．’WhenWillcamebacktous‘hiseyeswerebright‘buthewasalreadythinkingaboutit．‘Don'ttalktome‘’hesaid．‘I'vegotaplaytowrite．’Hewroteitintwoweeks‘andwetookitdowntoRichmondPalaceandplayeditbeforetheQueenonFebruarythe20th．ShelaughedandlaughedatTheMerryWivesofWindsor．Shedidn'thavemuchtolaughaboutin1599．TherewasalotoftroubleinIreland‘andtheQueensenttheEarlofEssexwith20‘000mentofightawar．LordSouthampton‘Will'sfriend‘wentwithhim．AllLondoncameoutontothestreetstowatchwhenEssexandhismenleftforIreland．Willwroteanexcitingplayaboutwarthatsummer‘andheputinawordortwoaboutIreland．ThatwasHenryV‘aboutaveryfamousEnglishKingwhofoughtawarinFrance．ButEssexwasnotHenrytheFifth．Hedidn'tknowhowtofightawar‘andheranawaybacktoEnglandlaterthatyear．TheQueenneverspoketohimagain．InSeptemberweopenedtheGlobetheatre．Itwasagrand‘newbuildingneartheRose．Will‘RichardBurbage‘andtheotherspaidforitthemselves．ItwasthebestplayhouseinLondon‘andsoonthemostfamous．Theothercompanieshadgoodtheatresandsomegoodactors‘butwehadthefamousRichardBurbage—andthebestplays．Weputonthreenewplaysbywillinthenextyear‘andsomeplaysbyotherwriters．OneofthenewplaywrightswasBenJonson．Hewasaclevermanandhewrotecleverplays‘butpeoplestilllikedWill'splaysbest．Bencouldn'tunderstandit．HewasalwaysarguingwithWillabouthowtowriteplays．Hearguedwitheveryone