新编英语教程 6 unit4.pptVIP

* * Unit 4 The Lady, or the Tiger? Exuberant: wild and excessive Withal: together with this; besides Bland and genial:composed and gracious Hitch: difficulty Assert oneself:act in such a way as to show one’s power or authority Poetic justice: an outcome in which vice is punished and virtue rewarded Emanate:come out from Wend one’s way: travel over a distance,especially slowly Gladiators (background knowledge): Gladiators were armed fighters performing for the public in ancient Rome.Throughout the history of ancient Rome, it remained fashionable to commemorate the dead with a gladiatorial fight. Gladiatorial games became so popular throughout the Roman Empire many times a year to celebrate holidays. Many Romans believed that gladiatorial contests promoted the ideals of toughness and courage. Most gladiators were prisoners of war, but some of them were convicted criminals, or occasionally, Christians. Gladiatorial combats were fought one to one as a rule, but occasionally mass battles were fought. Shows in the arena at Rome lasted all day. In the morning there were mock, bloodless battles. In the afternoon the true fights began to the accompaniment of music. Trainers stood by their gladiators and urged slaves with whips to drive them on. When a gladiator fell, the provider of the games had to decide whether he would be permitted to live. “Thumbs up” From the sponsor meant that the man would live; “thumbs down” meant his death. The sentiment of the crowd was usually the decisive factor. Thousands of gladiators died annually in amphitheaters of the Roman Empire. Gladiatorial combat was probably the cruelest sport ever widely accepted in an advanced civilization. What kind of combination was the king? Which half of this combination do you think was more influential in what he decided to do? *It was a blend of progressiveness/enlighten- ment and barbarism. The barbaric half seems to be overriding. 2. Who do you think the king’s Latin neighbors might be? *They mi