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A review by ejreadswords
The Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
“Fire that’s closest kept burns most of all.”
In the continued adventures of life at Adler, I chose my first Shakespeare monologue to tackle and work on for class, and it’s Proteus’ “Even as one heat another heat expels” from Act 2, Scene 4. I fell in love with how direct, honest, and ridiculous the monologue was as I was looking online — and it was a change of speed from the contemptuous monologue I auditioned for the Conservatory with (Edmund’s “Now gods, stand up for bastards” from King Lear). I knew I wanted to work on a comedy monologue after auditioning with two tragic characters (Edmund and Con from Stupid Fucking Bird).
And even if this is considered “lesser” Shakespeare, lesser Shakespeare is better than most people’s best. To tell you the truth, I really enjoyed reading this. The male characters are all so freakin’ stupid (Lance and Speed are rather insightful, though), but the female characters possess all the wisdom and patience to just deal with the chutzpah that is these horny, conniving and/or oblivious men.
Poor Julia. Heart aches for her. What a character, and what hot rocks she makes herself walk over for Proteus. Girl, he does NOT deserve it!
Julia, as Sebastian (Act 4, Sc. 4)
“Because methinks that she loved you as well
As you do love your lady Sylvia.
She dreams on him that has forgot her love;
You dote on her that cares not for your love.
’Tis pity love should be so contrary,
And thinking on it makes me cry ‘Alas.’”
I agree with the discourse that Act 5 is rather, uh, concerning. It’s very misogynistic and I cannot believe it just ends “happily ever after.” In Act 4 and 5, I found myself laughing just at Shakespeare’s wondrous wordplay and the messy entanglement he gets his characters involved with — it’s a great setup, but boy, that denouement… the gall of you, William! Male friendship can't excuse EVERYTHING.
A sincere thought I had while reading was, “so many iconic English expressions or phrases must’ve come from this play?” Just incredible phrases like, “Love is blind,” or “And seal the bargain with a holy kiss” (maybe that’s not iconic, but I’m pretty sure there was a Disney Channel show that referenced this?).
I’m really excited to dive into my Proteus monologue. He’s such a fuckboy! And I can’t say that I’m much of that. But it’ll be fun to lean into.
In the continued adventures of life at Adler, I chose my first Shakespeare monologue to tackle and work on for class, and it’s Proteus’ “Even as one heat another heat expels” from Act 2, Scene 4. I fell in love with how direct, honest, and ridiculous the monologue was as I was looking online — and it was a change of speed from the contemptuous monologue I auditioned for the Conservatory with (Edmund’s “Now gods, stand up for bastards” from King Lear). I knew I wanted to work on a comedy monologue after auditioning with two tragic characters (Edmund and Con from Stupid Fucking Bird).
And even if this is considered “lesser” Shakespeare, lesser Shakespeare is better than most people’s best. To tell you the truth, I really enjoyed reading this. The male characters are all so freakin’ stupid (Lance and Speed are rather insightful, though), but the female characters possess all the wisdom and patience to just deal with the chutzpah that is these horny, conniving and/or oblivious men.
Poor Julia. Heart aches for her. What a character, and what hot rocks she makes herself walk over for Proteus. Girl, he does NOT deserve it!
Julia, as Sebastian (Act 4, Sc. 4)
“Because methinks that she loved you as well
As you do love your lady Sylvia.
She dreams on him that has forgot her love;
You dote on her that cares not for your love.
’Tis pity love should be so contrary,
And thinking on it makes me cry ‘Alas.’”
I agree with the discourse that Act 5 is rather, uh, concerning. It’s very misogynistic and I cannot believe it just ends “happily ever after.” In Act 4 and 5, I found myself laughing just at Shakespeare’s wondrous wordplay and the messy entanglement he gets his characters involved with — it’s a great setup, but boy, that denouement… the gall of you, William! Male friendship can't excuse EVERYTHING.
A sincere thought I had while reading was, “so many iconic English expressions or phrases must’ve come from this play?” Just incredible phrases like, “Love is blind,” or “And seal the bargain with a holy kiss” (maybe that’s not iconic, but I’m pretty sure there was a Disney Channel show that referenced this?).
I’m really excited to dive into my Proteus monologue. He’s such a fuckboy! And I can’t say that I’m much of that. But it’ll be fun to lean into.