The Two Noble Kinsmen

Two Noble Kinsmen, The

    Author: William Shakespeare and John Fletcher

    First Performance: c.1613, London

    Published: 1634

    Genre: Romance in 5 acts; blank verse and prose

    Setting: Athens, Thebes, and their environs, in the mythical past

    Cast: 26m, 12f, extras

Suppliants beg Theseus, King of Athens, to wage war on Creon, King of Thebes. Theseus defeats Creon's army and captures his two nephews Palamon and Arcite. In their Athenian prison they remain blithe and devoted to each other until they spy Princess Emilia, Theseus' sister-in-law, whereupon each claims her for himself. Arcite is released from prison, disguises himself, and is employed as Emilia's attendant. Meanwhile the Jailer's Daughter has fallen in love with Palamon and enables him to escape. Meeting by the woods, the two kinsmen eat and drink...

[The entire page is 363 words long]

Join eNotes

The above is a free excerpt. Get total access to this content with the: