Bardology

Twelfth Night (1601)

After her shipwreck, Viola – disguised as Cesario – agrees to speak for Orsino to Olivia, with whom he’s in love. But Olivia’s in mourning, and not interested. Until she meets Cesario.

Meanwhile Olivia’s “guests” convince her pompous servant Malvolio that she is in love with him. Now he’s a changed man.

But Cesario is suddenly being confused for someone else. Meanwhile Sebastian has appeared, and is inexplicably invited to marry Olivia.

Confusion reigns: Olivia is angry with Cesario for denying they’re married. Orsino is angry at the “betrayal”. Finally, Sebastian appears, the confusion is cleared up – and Orsino can marry Viola.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona (c1590)

Valentine leaves Verona for Milan, while Proteus remains to romance Julia – until his father demands he follow Valentine’s example.

In Milan, Valentine falls for Silvia, and she reciprocates. But her father prefers Thurio, and restricts her freedoms.

Proteus arrives, and secretly falls for Silvia. When Valentine tells him they’re eloping, Proteus betrays them to her father.

Valentine is banished, then captured by forest outlaws. When Silvia follows him, she’s pursued in turn by Proteus, accompanied by Julia disguised as a page.

Proteus threatens rape before Valentine emerges to accept his contrition – and arrange two marriages to be celebrated.

The Two Noble Kinsmen (1613-14)

Arcite and Palamon are two Theban warriors and cousins who, following defeat in the war against Athens, are incarcerated in an enemy jail. There they catch sight of Emilia – and both fall in love with her.

Soon afterwards, Arcite is freed and expelled from Athens – but he returns in disguise to become Emilia’s servant.

Meanwhile the jailer’s daughter has fallen in love with Palamon, and rescues him from his cell – unfortunately he remains infatuated with Emilia.

Eventually the cousins meet and agree to fight for her hand. Arcite triumphs but is then killed, leaving Emilia to Palamon.

The Winter’s Tale (1611)

Leontes is dismayed when Polixenes announces he’s returning home after nine months in Sicily. But when his wife persuades their guest to stay, jealousy overwhelms Leontes’s judgement.

Hermione is put on trial for infidelity, but just when the oracle at Delphi reports her innocent, she is ushered from court and declared dead.

Time passes, and Perdita, exiled to Bohemia, has fallen in love with Florizel. But when their love is discovered, they escape to Sicily, pursued by Polixenes.

Leontes is still grieving, but he’s reconciled to Perdita before a visit to see Hermione’s statue – whose life-like qualities prove no illusion.

Summaries

Twelfth Night (1601)

The Two Gentlemen of Verona (c1590)

The Two Noble Kinsmen (1613-14)

The Winter’s Tale (1611)

Bardology

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A Stratford Childhood and After

Elizabethan Shakespeare (1)

Elizabethan Shakespeare (2)

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