The Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare

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During the play, Lance delivers the speech while Crab stands beside him looking quite content, as though his owner was ticking off a list of accomplishments. Crab is a dog who urinates publicly without regard, and often at the expense of Lance’s reputation and well-being. However, the live adaptation makes clear that Crab is an innocuous creature – a benign dog who means no harm by his actions, something that his owner recognizes and thus tolerates. So long as he is with his owner, Crab understands that Lance is as loyal an owner as any and will interject himself between Crab and the punishments should the situation ever arise or call for them.

In the play text version of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, William Shakespeare emphasizes the idea that human beings are not without fault; they are fallible, but when treated with love, shown confidence, and entrusted with loyalty, it is possible for individuals to achieve realistic and lasting relationships. Both the play text and the live performance underscore that idea that the limits of friendship, loyalty, love and human theatrics come at the expense of male aggression and confused boundaries, as is evident by Proteus and his behavior throughout much of the play. The constant dichotomy of loyalty to oneself and loyalty to others is also exemplified through Proteus’ actions, as are the struggles that ensue as a result of the consequences. In appropriate and rightful fashion, the Elizabethan play concludes when the Duke declares that Valentine can replace Thurio as the rightful suitor for his daughter’s hand. In the end, friendship and love conquer jealousy and deceit together – and this bond is held together by the loyalty that is renewed amongst lovers and friends. The live adaptati...

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...cept that is prevalent and vividly depicted in both is the value of loyalty.

Through an aural representation of the play, the audience is able to capture and understand the characters in their totality for what they truly are – human beings who are conflicted by integral problems. None of their problems is more integral or conflicting than the loyalty of two ideals; loyalty to oneself and to others. When Proteus finds himself unable to live up to either ideal of loyalty, and the balance of the play is upset. However, the willingness of the other three characters – Julia, Silvia, and Valentine, to live up to the high expectations of their ideals, ultimately compels the last Proteus to change his maleficent ways and reconcile. This is evident towards the end of the play, when Proteus finally realizes his blunders and lack of appreciation for relationships and loyalty.

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