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2020 ‫מועד חורף‬ - 41 - ‫ פרק ראשון‬- ‫אנגלית‬

Text II (Questions 18-22)

(1) There is a general consensus that William Shakespeare was the most innovative and
influential English playwright who ever lived. Every word he wrote has been subjected
to endless analysis and interpretation. Oddly enough, one of the most intriguing
sentences ever penned by Shakespeare – one that has generated widespread critical

(5) debate – is found not in his literary work, but rather in his last will and testament.

Shakespeare, who amassed a significant amount of money as a partner in London's
Globe Theatre, left a very detailed will. It made mention of all kinds of belongings,
from the large and valuable to the trivial. Amidst the meticulous instructions, there was
only one bequest to Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway: "I give unto my wife my

(10) second-best bed."

This sentence has led to extensive speculation about the couple's marriage. Some
scholars see the bequest of just one item – specifically, the "second-best" of an item
which symbolises marital union – as evidence that the couple's relationship was
troubled. They point out that, during the 34 years of their marriage, Shakespeare spent

(15) most of his time in London while his wife remained at their home in Stratford-upon-
Avon. These researchers suggest that the bequest was intended as a slap in the face to
Hathaway.

Others, however, argue that Shakespeare meant the bequest not as an insult to his
wife, but rather as a sentimental gesture. The second-best bed, they claim, was very

(20) likely the marital bed; the best bed would have been the one reserved for guests.
Furthermore, the fact that this was the one bequest made to Hathaway does not mean
that her husband left her penniless. According to the laws of the time, a widow
automatically inherited a significant part of her husband's property whether or not she
was mentioned in his will.

Questions

18. The main purpose of the text is to discuss -

(1) the marriage of William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway
(2) interpretations of one of Shakespeare's most puzzling sentences
(3) scholarly research on Shakespeare's plays
(4) the contents of Shakespeare's last will and testament

)‫© כל הזכויות שמורות למרכז ארצי לבחינות ולהערכה (ע"ר‬
.‫ בלא אישור בכתב מהמרכז הארצי לבחינות ולהערכה‬- ‫ כולה או חלקים ממנה‬- ‫ או ללמדה‬,‫אין להעתיק או להפיץ בחינה זו או קטעים ממנה בכל צורה ובכל אמצעי‬