William Shakespeare, the greatest English writer of drama, was born in 1564 in Stratford-on-Avon.
We do not know everything about Shakespeare’s early life. But we know that he studied at the Gram-
mar School in Stratford, and that he became interested in the theatre when he was still a boy. In 1586
Shakespeare went to London, where he worked in the theatre for some years before he began to write
his own plays. Shakespeare soon became well-known in London literary circles. Every play that he
wrote was good news to the people of the capital. Queen Elizabeth I liked Shakespeare’s plays, and the
actors were often invited to play before the Queen and later before the King James – a great honour
in those days. By the end of the 16th century Shakespeare and his friends had enough money to build
their own theatre – the famous Globe Theatre.
But Shakespeare had quite many difficulties in his life. Less talented writers, whose plays were
worse than his, often quarreled with Shakespeare and attacked him, the actors in his own theatre
sometimes turned against him. Now people in many countries love and honour Shakespeare for his
plays, comedies and tragedies that are still modern and well-known all over the world.

1. Shakespeare was especially good at … .
   A novels 
   B detective stories
   C mystery plays
   D dramas
   
2. What is the WRONG statement?
   A In his childhood Shakespeare got interested in the theatre. 
   B The King and Queen of England liked his plays.
   C Shakespeare was widely known for his Globe Theatre.
   D Shakespeare had difficulties in his life.
   
3. What kind of man was Shakespeare?
   A He was a man who liked to quarrel with people. 
   B He was a man who was fond of collecting money.
   C He was a man who tried to perform only in the king’s palace.
   D He was a man who wrote many plays and acted himself.

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