GODDARD,
Harold Clarke. The Two Gentlemen of Verona. In: The Meaning of Shakespeare. Chicago: The University of Chicago
Press, 1970. v.I, p. 41-4.
___________________________________________________________
By
Profª. Drª.
Bárbara de Fátima.
The Two Gentlemen of Verona is full noticed by the use
of disguise in his script. The presence of a woman performing as a boy
transforms the comedy in a real comedy because on the Elizabethan stage all
women’s performance were played by men.
2 women
1 men 3 boys
In Twelfth Night, we have a female character called Viola, who in fact is an actor, and after playing as Viola, she disguised herself as a boy called Cesario in order to work as a page in the Duke’s house.
The author describes two ways of
examining The Two Gentlemen of Verona:
11- It is a kind of premonitional work. The theme which is
presented in this play is the same in Twelfth Night, that is, the use of
disguise. Julia and Viola dressed
themselves as a boy, and this situation is much more detailed in Viola’s
performance.
22- Irony – Another character who presents a great
importance is Launce because as a slave he has the perception to describe both
gentlemen: Proteus and Valentine in a very ironical way. Why are they called
gentlemen? According to Launce’s description of Proteus, he is a terrible,
selfish, and false man and Valentine is presented as a man without no desire,
and his loyalty and constancy becomes himself in a neutral man. As a juvenile
work, it shows a boring wit; an incredible end in relation to Proteus’ final
performance; Valentine believes in friendship above love and Proteus differs
from him because he believes in love above friendship.
According to the play, the gentlemen are two men who
are presented by their differences in character, personality and performance.
They do not present the qualities of perfect gentlemen; Antonio, the Duke, Sir
Thurio, and mainly Sir Eglamour who is a coward and he proves that it is, when
he leaves Silvia with the outlaws in the forest. But sarcastically Shakespeare
calls them gentlemen. Why? Because they belong to the upper class of society,
they are rich, while Launce and Speed are slaves; their thoughts and position
in society give them no opportunity to become gentlemen.
The happy ending of the play is
described according to Renaissance principles of friendship and love. In this
play, The Two Gentlemen of Verona,
the author makes use of an ironical tone: the “gentlemanly” concepts here are
material, physical not psychological or spiritual. Valentine is the best example of these
concepts. He is a good speaker, for that reason he is chosen the captain of the
outlaws.
All the
gentlemen and lords presented in Shakespeare’s plays are used in a very
ironical way. Their positions on the plays do not require great effort. The
noble title presented by them says everything.
