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Play
William Tell
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3.35
Ascolta e leggi l’estratto di un testo teatrale. Poi recitalo.
William Tell is the national hero of Switzerland. He’s a legendary character.
It isn’t clear if he’s a real historical figure or not. His legend goes back to the
1300s. At this time Austria is in control of Switzerland. The Swiss people aren’t
happy about this. In the legend, William Tell refuses to obey the Austrians in
control of his town.
Scene 1
Narrator 1
William Tell lives near Lake Lucerne, in Switzerland. He has got a
young son, Carl. One day they visit the town of Altdorf, near their
home. In the town square there’s a hat. Some guards are standing
near it, and the people of the town are bowing to it.
Carl
William Tell
Father, why are the people bowing to a hat?
I don’t know. Let’s ask this old man.
William Tell
Old man
William Tell
Old man
William Tell
Old man
Carl
William Tell
Old man, why are the people bowing to a hat?
It’s Baron Gessler’s hat.
Baron Gessler? Who’s he?
He controls the town. He’s the master here.
But why are they bowing to the hat?
It’s the law. People who do not bow, die!
That’s really silly! I don’t want to bow to a hat!
Yes, it is silly. Let’s go.
(Gessler enters. William and Carl walk past the hat. They don’t bow.)
Guard 1
William Tell
Gessler
Hey, you. Stop. Bow to that hat!
I refuse to bow. This is a silly law!
This man doesn’t want to bow. Who is he? Guards, arrest him!
(The guards arrest William.)
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Gessler
William Tell
Gessler
William Tell
Gessler
William Tell
Gessler
William Tell
Gessler
Carl
Gessler
William Tell
Gessler
William Tell
Gessler
Who are you? What’s your name?
My name’s William Tell.
And who is this boy?
He’s my son, Carl.
How old is he?
He’s 12.
So, boy, are you ready to die at 12?
What do you mean, you monster?
You see my hat. Why don’t you bow?
Because it is a silly law.
Is your son precious to you, William Tell?
Yes, of course he is.
Then bow to the hat!
Never. I refuse to bow to an Austrian hat.
Ha ha ha! Then your son dies.
Scene 2
Narrator 2
The guards take Carl and they tie him to a tree.
Gessler takes an apple.
William Tell
Gessler
Carl
What are you doing with him?
Well young Tell, is your father a good archer?
Yes, he is. He’s very good. He’s the best in
Switzerland.
I hope that’s true, for your sake!
Let him go! Kill me!
No, I am not a monster. I hear that you are a
good archer, William Tell. Shoot an arrow at this
apple. If you hit the apple, you and your son are
free.
I can do that easily.
Gessler
William Tell
Gessler
William Tell
(He takes out an arrow.)
Gessler
Wait a minute…
(He puts the apple on Carl’s head.)
Gessler
William Tell
Man
Woman
Carl
Gessler
William Tell
Gessler
Carl
If you miss, your son dies! Ah, ha ha ha!
You are a monster, Gessler!
He’s so cruel!
No don’t!
Father, don’t worry. I know you can do it.
Guards! Stand here, William Tell.
But the sun is in my eyes. I cannot see.
Of course you can see. Stand here.
You can do it, father!
(William shoots an arrow into the apple.)
Carl
Well done, father!
Glossary
obey obbedire
bow (v) inchinarsi
law legge
refuse rifiutarsi
tie (v) legare
archer arciere
for your sake per il
tuo bene
shoot scoccare
arrow freccia
hit colpire
miss mancare
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