Comprehension questions
Describe the route of the actors and what they saw and felt going.
Compare what they expected to see in the chamber and what they really saw.
What questions did the actors ask the steward? Why?
What were the odres the Lord gae to the steward?
Describe in detail the Lord’s appearance, voice and behaviour in the chapter.
What is ‘Italian reverence’? Can you show it?
What words help to see the unusual atmosphere during the play?
Prove that Stephen was a good actor.
What human quality did Martin’s Superbia represent? Why introducing it was so dangerous?
Explain what are ‘the faults of timing and address’.
What was supposed to be the best outcome for the actors? And the worst?
Explain why the play might save actors?
Whose voice was Martin using? Why?
Explain why Lord de Guise must have been involved in death of Thomas Wells.
Who interrupted the play? What were the reasons?
Why was she sent to bring Nicholas?
Describe the knight. What did Nicholas feel towards him?
Speak about Nicholas’s actions as a priest.
How did Nicholas manage to run away? Discuss his actions and his way.
What did Nicholas see on his way out? Use the sescription from the text.
Read and translate p. 160 “We fell back” till the end of the paragraph.
Retell the chapter
Chapter 15
I. Lexical work.
Translate from Russian into English бормотать (168), упасть в обморок (168), вновь наполнить (169), откровенность (172), влюбиться (172), очевидный (173), вершить правосудие (173), исправить несправедливость (173), недоверчивый (173), грамотный (174), скучный и многословный (174), неуправляемый (175), драгоценный камень (176), призвать к ответу (176), препятствие (176), упорно (179)
Translate from English into Russian corpulent (168), infrequent (168), grant smb (168), far beyond the common (169), muse (169), depend on accident and surmise (170), falter (170), set foot (172), austere (172), aberration of the spirit (172), afterthought (172), a man who goes to extremes (173), scrutiny (173), diocese (174), stiff-necked (175), oppressive (175), meekly (176), enlightment (176), persist (179), blandishment (179), to be at one’s wits end (179), loosen (179)
Consult the Pronunciation Dictionary austere, foul, verbose
Learn the 3 forms of the verbs: seek, abide
Find the abovementioned words in the story, recall the situation in which they were used and quote the sentence with these words.
II. Comprehension questions
Where did Nicholas go when he came to town? Why?
Describe the appearance of the people in Justice’s room. Are they symbolic?
Explain the phrase about ‘priests and players’
How does Nicholas explain why the play proved the girl innocent?
How do you understand ‘self-same’ thing?
What questions does the Lord Justice ask Nicholas?
What do we learn about Lord de Guise, his tastes and power?
What in Nicholas’ story stirred Justice’s interest?
How does the Justice’s speech help to reveal the morals and values of medieval times? Compare to the contemporary values and beliefs.
What is Nicholas’ folly in the Justice’s opinion? What might be ‘grief’?
How does Nicholas justify his ‘folly’?
Why wouldn’t the Justice or Thomas, his secretary, think of following Nicholas’ impulse? Would you act as Nicholas or as the Justice?
What facts about de Guise irritated the king?
Name the mortal sins. Which sins might ‘add lustre’ to the name of the baron?
What reasons does the Justice give for Nicholas not to run away?
How does Margaret divide the money?
Give reasons for Margaret leaving the company. Why was she resentful? Discuss the role of a woman in medieval society.
What are Margaret’s plans for the future? Why does Nicholas doubt her happiness?
Retell the exempla of the Devil and the Player.
What does Nicholas dream bout at the end of the chapter?
III. Read and translate p.180