Two Gentlemen of Verona
Ratings23
Average rating3.4
"Professor Schlueter approaches this early comedy as a parody of two types of Renaissance educational fiction: the love-quest story and the test-of-friendship story, which by their combination show high-flown human ideals as incompatible with each other and with human nature. A thoroughly researched, illustrated stage history reveals changing conceptions of the play, which nevertheless often fail to come to terms with its subversive impetus. Since the first known production at David Garrick's Drury Lane Theatre, it has tempted major directors and actors, including John Philip Kemble, William Charles Macready and Charles Kean, who established a tradition of understanding which cast its shadow even on such modern productions as Denis Carey's famous staging for the Bristol Old Vic and Robin Phillips's for the Royal Shakespeare Company. This updated edition includes a new introductory section by Lucy Munro on recent stage and critical interpretations, bringing the performance history completely up to date"--
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A great early play of Shakespeare. It's funny and crass. But, it lacks the nuance and maturity of his later works. Especially in the plotting, this piece is a bit clunky and odd. However, it's our earliest Shakespeare play, so it's great to start with this to fully appreciate the later works.
I didn't really understand this play. This is probably because Shakespeare is hard to understand. I think I have read maybe two of his plays and none of his sonnets. I might return to this at a later date.
The process of character cultivation must also be in part getting manifested at some point in time...
Would it be an exaggeration to reckon how highlights of a world to be populated by some of the delightful human beings, begin their journey with this early melodrama...
O, how this spring of love resembleth
The uncertain glory of an April day,
Which now shows all the beauty of the sun,
And by and by a cloud takes all away.
(Proteus, Act 1 Scene...)
She dreams on him that has forgot her love,
You dote on her that cares not for your love.
‘Tis pity love should be so contrary:
And thinking on it makes me cry ‘Alas'.
(Julia, Act 4 Scene 4)
“JULIA They do not love that do not show their love.
LUCETTA O, they love least that let men know their love.
1.2
