SOURCE: "Coming Out in Shakespeare's The Two Gentlemen of Verona" in ELH, Vol. 60, No. 4, Winter, 1993, pp. 857-77.

In the following essay, Simmons considers ways that The Two Gentlemen of Verona exploits Elizabethan theatrical conventions of "The Young Man Leaving Home" in search of wealth, fame, an education, a wife, or some combination of these things—a quest that generally results in the achievement of self-knowledge as well

Though I saw the same argument lately set foorth on stage with more commendation, then I can looke for: (being there much better set forth then I have or can dooe) yet the same matter penned as it is, may serve to lyke good effect.

Arthur Brooke, "To the Reader,"

The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet1

How can this be? they restles lye, ne yet they feele unrest.
 I graunt that I envie the blisse they lived in:
 Oh that...