Learning English

Let's do one more practice activity. As you saw in this episode, Will's daughter is in love with Robert Harley - unfortunately he doesn't seem to feel the same way about her.

We'd like you to help us to write a conversation between Daughter and Robert using the exaggerated expressions you just learnt.

Do the activity

To do

First, try this quiz to check you remember how to form the phrases. 

Over to you

Imagine that Daughter meets Robert in the street and tries to get him to go on a date with her. Will Robert find a good excuse not to go, or will Daughter convince Robert that it's a good idea - even though Will wouldn't approve?

Here's the start of their conversation:

Daughter 
Oh hello Robert. It's great to see you. I'm just on my way for dinner. Why don't you come with me?

Robert
Hello Miss Shakespeare. Errr... I'm actually very busy right now. Maybe another time.

Daughter
... ... ...

We asked you to continue their conversation, using the phrase forever and a day - and as many other 'exaggeration phrases' as you can! Here's what you wrote:

Omega

Daughter
Oh, hello Robert.It's great to see you. I'm just on my way for dinner. Why don't you come with me?

Robert
Hello, Miss Shakespeare. Errr...I'm actually very busy right now .Maybe another time.

Daughter
Come on, Robert. Just a dinner, it won't be killing you.

Robert
Yeah, but I have millions of problems at hand

Daughter
Like what?

Robert
Like... my teeth are aching unbearably. I'm dying for a dentist.

Daughter
How lovely!

Robert
What?

Daughter
Oh, I'm sorry ,Robert,I didn't mean it. I know a famous specialist in treating toothache, who dines everyday at the restaurant where I'm heading right now. Come with me and we shall ask him to have a good look at your teeth.

Robert
Well, thanks, Miss Shakespeare,but really I'm sick to death of any food now.

Daughter
Then let me have supper while the doctor copes with your teeth. Robert, I'm starving. Surely a gentleman won't refuse such a request?

Robert
Hmm.. alright. Miss Shakespeare, I'm honoured to accept your invitation.

______________________

Jean Marie

Daughter
Busy? Busy you say! I saw you millions of times talking with my father about the ins out outs of his plays, is that your only world?

Robert
But Miss, I so admire Will

Daughter
I'm sick to death with such veneration, your behaviour is killing me!

Robert
Do not exaggerate, he is my friend, moreover he is a fantastic author. I am dying to perform a major character in one of his plays

Daughter
As a flatterer, I suppose

Robert
I'm a good actor you know, I could act any character

Daughter
hmm, it wouldn't be in disguise! 

Robert
Don't be sarcastic

Daughter
Enough of that! I'm starving, but just watch out I will not wait you forever and a day.

________________________

Ira, Ukraine

Robert 
Hello, Miss Shakespeare. Err… I’m actually very busy right now. Maybe another time.

Daughter
Oh, your eternal busyness is killing me, Robert! Well, letting my feelings alone, what about my father? He’s told me millions of times what a generous host you’re. So, why should you avoid his invitations?

Robert   
Honestly, Miss Shakespeare, that was not Will’s invitation…

Daughter
You mean, I’ve said something wrong, don’t you? Oh, Robert, you seem to think I’m just pretending, that I’m the one of those shameless girls dying for your attention and I’m trying to disguise my real intentions by asking you to dinner. Dear, how could you think of such a terrible thing about me?

Robert   
No, Miss Shakespeare! No way! I never doubt you. You are modest and kind… Err…

Daughter
Phew! I nearly died of embarrassment. But nevertheless what’s the problem, Robert?

Robert 
Err… Really, Miss Shakespeare, I’m only being polite. I wouldn’t like to embarrass you for love nor money. Please, don’t get me wrong. All the actors and I heard Missis… one certain Missis saying that she was sick to death of crowds of hungry Will’s friends. Of course, that had nothing to do with me, but unfortunately I’m actually very busy, Miss Shakespeare!

Daughter
Hmm, of course, Robert… She likes exaggerating. But I’m sure, Mummy would be glad to see you. That goose will be too big for us anyway, and that delicious black pudding, the gravy and the stewed cabbage, the lightly roasted oysters, the cherry pie…

Robert   
Oh! Wait a little, Miss Shakespeare! I’ve nearly forgotten that I’ve got to see Will. We need to talk about the next rehearsal.

Daughter
Wow! So, you’re not too busy, Robert, are you?

Robert 
No, I’m starving!

Daughter
You’re always welcome. Very welcome, Robert. Forever and a day…   

________________________

Ia, Georgia

Daughter
Oh  hello Robert.  It's  great  to  see  you. I'm  just  on  my  way  for  dinner. Why don't  you  come  with  me?

Robert
Hello   Miss  Shakespeare.  Errr... I'm  actually  very  busy  right  now.  Maybe another  time.

Daughter
Another    time ?  Another   day ?  Tomorrow  is  another  day !  What  I  need   today   might  be  sent  packing  by  me  tomorrow , who   knows !

[But  she  thinks :  It  reminds  me  of   this  comedy  THE  TAMING  OF  THE  SHREW .  I  am  not  myself   because  I  am  pretending   someone  else  . And   she   does  not  care  for   him  !  . But  in  fact, I  love  him  forever  and  a day ! oh , dear  me ….his  refusal   is  always  hurting  me ….]

Robert
[His  thought  :  Millions  of   times  she  has  showed   her   love  to  me  so  that  I  nearly  died  of  embarrassment . But  now ,   my  decision  is  unimportant   to  her  that  makes  me  want  to  have   dinner   with  her -  as   if   I  were  starving!]

Oh , dear !  That’s   a  good  idea !    I  am  dying  for   pickles  in   this  rainy  July  . I   hope   you  love   pickles , too,  like  your  father .

Daughter
Of  course , you  know   my  father   and  you   know  me  . . . .

[She  is  so deep   in   thought   – I  am  sick  to  death  of  saying  such  useless   words . If   only   you   loved   me   forever  and  a  day ….. F e e l  i n g     b l u e , a    rainy   day  and   they  both  under  the  umbrella   …..who  knows   who  is  who !]

________________________

Asif

Hello Robert, I'm just on my way for lunch. Why don't you come with me? I'm really busy right now. May be another time. I'm starving and really dying for food. Let's take some snacks, it won't take forever to eat. But look at the queue. We won't wait forever and a day for this. I'm sick to death of taking snacks this way. Will see you at dinner.

________________________

Tomoki

Daughter
Oh dear! I have heard it millions of times. You are always busy, so you need to have rest.

Robert
Um... Exactly, I'm always busy. However, I'm never die of embarrassment. I love business!

Daughter
I see. You are very sincere. I wait for you forever and a day.

Robert
Yeah....I hope to get starving soon. Bye.

Daughter
Good-bye, Mr Robert.

End of session

That’s all for now. But don't worry - you won't have to wait forever and a day for the next Shakespeare Speaks! Return to these pages to find out more about William Shakespeare's life and work - and to learn a useful new English expression. In the meantime, go to our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram pages for more fun with English!