The Two Noble Kinsmen Essay Questions

How does the play show the intruding presence of the three queens at the wedding?

The wedding between Theseus and Hippolyta is described with light and delicate imagery and is associated with the season of Spring. A boy throws flowers at the feet of the married couple to signify rebirth and renewal through their union. The occasion is visually interrupted by the presence of three widowed queens, who are dressed all in black to signify their mourning. On stage, the contrast between light and dark is visually apparent, representing the intrusive reality of Theseus's duty on his personal life.

What does Theseus's departure from his wedding represent?

The three queens who arrive at the wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta plead with Theseus to allow them to give their husbands a proper burial by waging war against King Creon. Theseus eventually agrees, and leaves his wedding celebration to attack Thebes. Notably, Theseus is encouraged to leave the wedding by both his new bride, Hippolyta, and her sister, Emilia. His departure from the wedding celebration signifies his constant dedication to his duty as Duke of Athens, which is supported by his friends and family.

Why do Palamon and Arcite fight for Thebes?

At the beginning of the play, Palamon and Arcite are in Thebes debating ways they can get out of Thebes because they detest their uncle, King Creon. Palamon and Arcite see their uncle as a tyrant (a reputation that is endorsed by the appearance of the three queens at the wedding). When they hear that Theseus is attacking Thebes, however, Palamon and Arcite decide to stay and fight for their homeland despite their lack of respect for their king. As such, Palamon and Arcite – like Theseus in his departure from his wedding – choose chivalric duty over personal preference, fulfilling what they see as their broader responsibility to their country rather than their own desires.

What is ironic about Palamon and Arcite's pursuit of Emilia?

The central irony about the love that Palamon and Arcite both experience for Emilia simultaneously is that it fosters a complete shift in the intimacy and respect the cousins have for one another. No longer best friends, Palamon and Arcite declare that they are sworn enemies, suggesting that romance and desire are possible antidotes to the undying dedication to one's chivalric duty. Another irony of the situation is that Emilia, for most of the play, has no idea that these men are vying for her affections at all, making their intense feud seem all the more ridiculous to the audience.

What is the tone at the end of the play?

The Two Noble Kinsmen is considered a tragicomedy, meaning it blends traditional tragic circumstances with a comic structure. The ending, indeed, features one important element from each of these genres: one death (Arcite) and one marriage (Emilia and Palamon). The plays therefore ends on an unsettling note, as audiences can neither rejoice nor mourn – Theseus even announces that a somber funeral will be held for Arcite, followed immediately by a wedding for Palamon and Emilia. The play uses this tragicomic genre as a means of prompting the audience to question whether the events of the play could have played out differently if the stakes had not been made so high.