What is accomplished by the addition of the twin servants?—­the two Dromios? (for special assistance in a comparative appreciation of Shakespeare’s farce and that of Plautus see Introduction also Sources in the “First Folio Edition” of this Play).

QUERIES FOR DISCUSSION

Is the complexity of Shakespeare’s plot over that of Plautus a disadvantage?  If not, how does this fact agree with the common saying that simplicity in Art is the highest Art?

Are the farcical interest and the character interest carried on too far not to be seen to be inconsistent interests?  Or is the secret of the Art of the Play the reconciliation and harmony of the farcical and the serious?

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

The unusual in this Comedy is due to its reflection of the ideals and manners of Chivalry in Love and Friendship as loyally professed by Valentine and Silvia and outraged by Protheus.

The plot is extremely simple and is carried on by means of causing its main characters successively to dominate in their influence upon the action.

ACT I

VALENTINE VERSUS PROTHEUS AND JULIA

Valentine’s reasons for travel and those of Protheus for staying at home separate the two friends.  Compare Valentine’s preference of Honor, and that of Protheus for Love, with the opening of “Love’s Labour’s Lost” and “Much Adoe.”

Show how the rest of the action, after the separation of the friends to suit this double thesis of life, depends upon illustrating the effect of Protheus’s love upon Julia’s fortunes, and of Valentine’s quest of honor upon the fortunes of Protheus.  Notice how it happens that his own deception has a direct influence upon his father, so that his departure to join Valentine is as much due to his own lack of firmness in his desire to stay on Julia’s account, as to Valentine’s initiative in going.

QUERIES FOR DISCUSSION

Is Valentine’s or Protheus’s the more influential character upon the course of events thus far?

ACT II

VALENTINE AND SILVIA

Tell the story of this Act.

Explain the courtship scene with which this Act opens as illustrating the service of love in systems of Chivalry. (For hints on this see Introduction to the Play in “First Folio Edition” also Note on ii, i, 97).

Contrast the earnestness of Valentine’s nature in this devotion to Silvia with the fickleness of Protheus.

The two servants, Speed and Launce, may be compared, their contrasts to each other shown, and their general resemblance to a similarly contrasted pair—­the two Dromios in the “Comedie of Errors.”

QUERIES FOR DISCUSSION