The Two Gentlemen of Verona Essay Questions

Which elements of this play are likely earlier incarnations of Shakespeare's later work?

Julia’s disguising herself as a boy in pursuit of romance showcases Shakespeare working with gender-bending and cross-dressing at a very early stage in his development. Cross-dressing became a common convention of the early modern stage, most notably because actors who played women were already cross-dressing simply by being involved in the play. Two years later, Portia would masquerade as a man in The Merchant of Venice, but it was in 1600 that Shakespeare appears to have really mastered the device. That was the year that two of his most popular heroines also don male disguises in ways that elevate both the comedy and the romance. Viola in Twelfth Night and Rosalind in As You Like It can both be viewed as fully inhabiting what Julia in Two Gentlemen of Verona may only have been preparing them for.

Why do so many critics consider the end of the play unsatisfying or immature?

Proteus is a distinctly unlikable character and as the play moves toward its climax, he must undergo a convincing reform almost seconds after threatening to rape Silvia in the woods. The rapid-fire apology delivered by Proteus has been criticized for its suddenness and its melodramatic delivery. The characters on stage far more readily accept it as genuine and sincere than most audience members could. Most critics, therefore, see the end of the play as one of its major flaws, and often point to this as evidence that the play was written quite early in Shakespeare's career.

What makes this play a comedy?

There is no doubt that The Two Gentlemen of Verona is a comedy, despite its darker moments and elements that nod toward a more tragic register. The clearest way to discern the play's comic genre is the ending: nobody dies, and there are not one but two marriages that take place at the end. Beyond this "happy ending," the play is rife with the comic relief plots following Launce, Crab, and Speed, further suggesting its place as a lighthearted comedy even as it engages with more serious themes.

Why is The Two Gentlemen of Verona often listed as Shakespeare's first play?

The date of composition for The Two Gentlemen of Verona is unknown. Its existence was confirmed in 1598, when it was published in a list of Shakespeare's plays. However, scholars generally believe the play was written around the year 1591, with a growing consensus that the play was actually the first one Shakespeare wrote for the stage. Scholars point toward the play's nascent understanding of theatrical convention, especially its poorly executed dialogue and relatively simple plot structure, as evidence for the play's early composition.

How is romantic love presented throughout the play?

While romantic love is often a major theme in early modern comedies, it takes a backseat to another central theme in The Two Gentlemen of Verona: male friendship. In fact, though romantic love plays a catalyzing role in the play (inspiring both Valentine and Proteus to act out of character), it is generally configured as a threat to homosocial bonds. At the beginning of the play, Proteus and Valentine are devoted to one another as best friends and confidants. As soon as Proteus falls in love with Silvia, however, that relationship begins to break down as Proteus decides to betray his friend. Thus, romantic love is presented as an inhibitor to male friendship throughout the play.