romance

The Two Noble Kinsmen

c. 1613–1614

Two cousins who love each other above all else fall in love with the same woman.

Start reading — Act 1, Scene 1 →

Scenes

Act 1

1.1 Athens. Before a temple 1.2 Thebes. The Court of the Palace 1.3 Before the gates of Athens 1.4 A field before Thebes. 1.5 Another part of the same, more remote from Thebes

Act 2

2.1 Athens. A garden, with a castle in the background 2.2 The prison 2.3 The country near Athens 2.4 Athens. A room in the prison 2.5 An open place in Athens 2.6 Athens. Before the prison

Act 3

3.1 A forest near Athens 3.2 Another Part of the forest 3.3 The same part of the forest as in scene I. 3.4 Another part of the forest 3.5 Another part of the forest 3.6 The same part of the forest as in scene III.

Act 4

4.1 Athens. A room in the prison 4.2 A Room in the Palace 4.3 A room in the prison

Act 5

5.1 Athens. Before the Temples of Mars, Venus, and Diana 5.2 Athens. A Room in the Prison 5.3 A part of the Forest near Athens, and near the Place 5.4 The same; a Block prepared
Epilogue

Dramatis personæ

PROLOGUE
ARCITE the two noble kinsmen, cousins,
PALAMON nephews of Creon, King of Thebes
THESEUS Duke of Athens
HIPPOLYTA Queen of the Amazons, later Duchess of Athens
EMILIA Sister of Hippolyta
PIRITHOUS friend to Theseus
A DOCTOR
ARTESIUS an Athenian soldier
VALERIUS a Theban
WOMAN attending on Emilia
NEL a countrywoman
A TABORER
A HERALD
A MESSENGER
A SERVANT
EPILOGUE
PROLOGUE