Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
People approach life in many different ways. There’s usually never just one answer to a problem. Sometimes, there are a ton of answers! Some people have some pretty crazy ideas about how to solve problems. For example, in Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, Hamlet wants revenge on his father’s killer. In order to hide his goal, Hamlet decides to pretend that he’s crazy. Most of Hamlet’s friends admit to Hamlet that his plan doesn’t make any sense.
However, Hamlet’s friend Polonius says, “Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.” Apparently, Polonius is admitting that there is a method to Hamlet’s madness. When there is a method to one’s madness, this means that someone has a good reason for doing something crazy. Method to one’s madness is an English phrase that started with Shakespeare, but there’s no getting stuck in the 17th century for this phrase. We still use it today.
Dominique has done a few things that Kelsey doesn’t understand. Listen as Dominique explains to Kelsey that there is a method to her madness.
3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
Dominique: Look, all I’m saying is that there’s a method to my madness.
Kelsey: Which is?
Dominique: Well, we are getting here super early, right?
Kelsey: Apparently. I can understand that Andy wants a good view, but getting here this early is a little crazy.
Dominique: It is, but…
Kelsey: But?
Dominique: But here we are, arriving this early. There’s going to be a ton of people here tonight, and I want to position the car in a place where we can leave quickly and easily. And the further away we park…
Kelsey: The further we have to walk…
Dominique: And the closer the car is to not getting stuck in the craziness of everyone trying to leave at the same time.
Kelsey: Right, but couldn’t we just leave early?
Dominique: Andy won’t want to leave early, and I promised him we’d give him a ride home.
Kelsey: Yeah, you’re right. OK, fine.
Dominique: See, this is perfect.
Kelsey: I see that there is a method to your madness.
Dominique: Thank you.
Kelsey: One thing.
Dominique: Yes?
Kelsey: Who’s going to carry the heavy cooler?
Dominique: Ugh. Well, you gotta admit, it was a good plan, except for that part.
Grammar Point
Go Super to learn "Contractions and Abbreviations" from this lesson
Quizzes
Lesson MP3
The iTEP® test
-
Sponsored by
Discussion
Dominique and Kelsey are meeting Andy at the park for a fireworks festival. Dominique and Kelsey get to the park very early, and position the car very, very far away. Dominique tells Kelsey that there is a method to her madness. She wants to park the car where they can leave quickly and easily when the festival is over.
Kelsey points out that now they have to walk for a long ways. Or they could just leave early. Dominique says that Andy won’t want to leave early. Kelsey admits there is a method to Dominique’s madness. But who’s going to carry the heavy cooler? Dominique hadn’t thought about that. It was a good plan other than that!
Have you done something that all your friends thought was crazy? What was the method to your madness?