1.Romeo and Juliet
This play is an early tragedy (and likely Shakespeare’s first) about two teenage “star-cross’d lovers” whose “untimely deaths” ultimately unite their feuding households. The play has been highly praised by literary critics for its language and dramatic effect. It was among Shakespeare’s most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with “Hamlet” is one of his most frequently performed plays. Its influence is still seen today, with the two main characters being widely represented as archetypal young lovers. This is the singularly greatest romance ever written and has been continuously adapted to each generation in musicals, cinema and the theatre.
Vocabulary:
1. curse (v.) : to swear 诅咒
2. weep (v.) : to cry, usually because you are sad （通常因悲伤）哭泣，流泪
3. tomb (n.) : a place, esp a vault beneath the ground, for the burial of a corpse 墓
4. apothecary (n.) : A person who prepared and sold medicines and drugs 药师
Comment:
I think 'Romeo and Juliet' is such a sad and unfortunate story that I have read. In this story, Romeo is a changeful person for his love because he loves the beautiful Rosaline before he meets Juliet. He changes his heart easily. Juliet is faithful to remain her love for Romeo and never compromise with Paris who wishes to marry her. Even though their parents are not allow them to marry each other, but they didn't give up their love and in the end they die for each other by drinking the poison. This shows that how they love each other and would like to sacrifice their life to prove their love.
2. King Lear
Lear, the aging king of Britain, decides to step down from the throne and divide his kingdom evenly among his three daughters. First, however, he puts his daughters through a test, asking each to tell him how much she loves him. Goneril and Regan, Lear’s older daughters, give their father flattering answers. But Cordelia, Lear’s youngest and favorite daughter, remains silent, saying that she has no words to describe how much she loves her father. Lear flies into a rage and disowns Cordelia. The king of France, who has courted Cordelia, says that he still wants to marry her even without her land, and she accompanies him to France without her father’s blessing.
Vocabulary
1. serpent (n.) : a snake 蛇
2. merely (adv.) : only as specified and nothing more 只是
3. sinned (v.) : to commit a sinful act 犯了罪
4. traitor (n.) : a person who commits treason by betraying his or her country 叛徒
Comment:
I think the king is so foolish to believe the 'sweet words' from his first and second daughter but angry with his youngest daughter who tell him the unpleasing truth. We should listen to the truth and learn to distinguish between lies and truth. All of his behaviour make him regret after he realises that Cordelia is the kindest daughter he has. He loses all of his power because of his stupid. In the end, the sympathetic Cordelia forgives his father but she died. So, this is also an unfortunate story for me.
