ASF Study Materials for The Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare Director Greta Lambert Study materials written by Set Design Rob Wolin Susan Willis, ASF Dramaturg Costume Design Elizabeth Novak
[email protected] Lighting Design Tom Rodman Contact ASF at: www.asf.net Sound Design Will Burns 1.800.841-4273 1 The Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare Welcome to The Two Gentlemen of Verona — a Tale of Friendship and Love Shakespeare knows young love—we immediately think of Romeo and Juliet and the host of romantic comedies he penned. The Characters in the Tour truism is that "the course of true love never did in Verona: run smooth," for the Bard rarely gives any of his Valentine, a young gentleman young lovers an easy time on their way to the altar. Speed, Valentine's page Challenges and hardships season the lovers— Proteus, a young gentleman, their affections are mangled, their friendships Valentine's best friend tested, their self-knowledge questioned, and Launce, his servant their behavior turned unrecognizable even to Crab, Launce's dog, a mutt themselves. Why? Because they are young Julia, the girl Proteus loves and in love, so both inside and out things seem Lucetta, her maid confusing, uncertain, and unsettling. Antonio, Proteus's father In this play, Shakespeare sets his scene in fair Verona, or at least starts it there. Verona in Milan: is home to the two gents who now must leave The Duke, Silvia's father and make their way in the larger outside world Silvia, Valentine's beloved of the Milanese court, where ambition and love Sir Thurio, a wealthy nobleman will entangle and complicate their lives—and in love with Silvia the lives of the young women who love them.