'The Two Gentlemen of Verona':
intensely desirable
Gwen Herat
The two gentlemen of Verona (Written in 1594) by William Shakespeare
is based directly on a Chivalrous and pastoral romance called "Diana".
Portuguese writer Jorge de Montemayor wrote this play in Spanish.
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Valentine, the more magnanimous and sacrificing of the two from
the two gentlemen of Verona |
Such aspects like comedy, friendship, treachery and the like were
found mostly in early Shakespearean plays. True. But they were written
more effectively in later plays.
Shakespeare remains the best and most popular dramatist even today.
This is partly due to his spectacular treatment of dialogue.
Then there were the others who fancied writing sonnets and they
turned out to be apprentice work, careless about facts and very much
undervalued.
The two gentlemen of Verona are sited in Milan and Verona as well as
in a forest between these two cities.
They are Valentine and Proteus. Valentine who is always accompanied
by Speed, a clownish servant goes to Milan to be 'tutor'd' in the world.
He bids goodbye to his friend, Proteus who is enamoured by Julia. Their
affection is reciprocal. Proteus is also ordered by his father to leave
for Milan. While in Milan Valentine falls in love with Silvia, the
Duke's daughter. When Proteus arrives, they tell him that because the
Duke prefers a wealthier man, Thurio who happens to be a foolish rival
of Valentine, they propose to elope. Proteus who is infatuated with
Silvia informs the Duke who finds a rope under Valentine's cloak and
banishes him.
Duke - 'Now tell me Proteus, what's your will with me
Proteus - My gracious Lord, that which I would discover
The law of friendship bids me to conceal.
But, when I call to mind your gracious favours
Done to me, undeserving as I am
My duty pricks me on to utter that
Which else no worldly good should draw from me.
Know, worthy prince, Sir Valentine my friend
This night intends to steal away your daughter;
Myself am one made privy to the plot
I know you have determin'd to bestow her
On Thurio, whom your gentle daughter hates'....
ACT III Scene 1
Valentine becomes the leader of a highly selective band of outlaws.
Disguised as a boy; Julia follows Proteus and hears Thurio's musicians
serenading Silvia. Proteus too listens to the singing and after Thurio
leaves, proclaims his love for Silvia which she scorns but requests him
to take her to Sir Eglamour who in turn will take her to Valentine.
Proteus implores on Julia who now impersonates as Sebastian to take his
message of love to Silvia who rejects him again.
The angry Duke persues his run-away daughter and is captured by
outlaws while Proteus rescues Silvia. Watching all this, Valentine
attacks his treachery but suddenly becomes all too magnanimous by giving
up Silvia to him. Julia who is in love with Valentine, reveals herself
and is overjoyed to be united with Valentine. In the meantime, the
outlaws bring the Duke who pardons them.
Not a favourite as a drama for staging but several companies mounted
the play. The most memorable performance that is still remembered was by
Eric Porter as the gusty Duke with a revival in 1960 at Stratford.
In 1993 a memorable staging, directed by Deborah Nitzberg opened at
the Los Angeles Shakespeare Festival to a packed audience. |
