Two Noble Kinsmen 1634 Quarto| Two Noble Kinsmen |
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Period written: 1613-1614 First known performance: 1614 (Blackfriars Theatre, London) The Two Noble Kinsmen is a romantic tragicomedy based on Chaucer's The Knight's Tale, with the addition of a subplot paralleling the main action. It was co-authored by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher. Palamon and Arcite, cousins and close friends, are imprisoned by the Athenians after a battle. From their prison window they see Princess Emilia, and since both fall in love with her, their friendship turns to bitter rivalry. Upon Arcite's release he is banished from Thebes, but he returns to find Emilia and is appointed her attendant. Meanwhile, the jailer's daughter has fallen in love with Palamon and helps him escape, after which he once again meets Arcite. To settle their rivalry over Emilia, they decide to fight. Now the jailer's daughter, forsaken, goes mad, but her former lover regains her by convincing her that he is Palamon. Arcite wins the contest for Emilia, but soon afterwards he is thrown from a horse and, with his dying breath, gives her to Palamon. Discuss this play in our forums.
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