:

William Shakespeare John Fletcher (1614).

.
(
)
.

.
, .

( )

,
,
,
. l
,
,

, ,

Synopsis[edit]
A prologue informs the audience that the play is based on a story from Chaucer.
Three queens come to plead with Theseus and Hippolyta, rulers of Athens, to avenge the
deaths of their husbands by the hand of the tyrant Creon of Thebes. Creon has killed the
three kings and refuses to allow them proper burial. Theseus agrees to wage war on
Creon.

In Thebes, Palamon and Arcite, cousins and close friends, are bound by duty to fight for
Creon, though they are appalled by his tyranny. In a hard-fought battle Palamon and
Arcite enact prodigies of courage, but the Thebans are defeated by Theseus. Palamon
and Arcite are imprisoned, but philosophically resign themselves to their fate. Their
stoicism is instantly destroyed when from their prison window they see the Athenian
princess Emilia. Both fall in love with her, and their friendship turns to bitter rivalry. Arcite
is released after a relative intercedes on his behalf. He is banished from Athens, but he
disguises himself, wins a local wrestling match, and is appointed as Emilia's bodyguard.
Meanwhile, the jailer's daughter has fallen in love with Palamon and helps him escape.
She follows him, but he ignores her: still obsessed with Emilia. He lives in the forest halfstarved, where he meets Arcite. The two argue, but Arcite offers to bring Palamon food,
drink and armaments so that they can meet in an equal fight over Emilia.
The jailer's daughter, forsaken, has gone mad. She sings and babbles in the forest. She
meets a troupe of local countrymen who want to perform a Morris dance before the king
and queen. Local schoolmaster Gerald, invites the mad daughter to join the performance.
Theseus and Hippolyta appear, hunting. Gerald hails them, and they agree to watch the
yokels perform a bizarre act for them, with the jailer's mad daughter dancing. The royal
couple reward them.
Arcite returns with the food and weapons. After a convivial dinner with reminiscences, the
two fight. Theseus and his entourage arrive on the scene. He orders that Palamon and
Arcite be arrested and executed. Hippolyta and Emilia intervene, and so Theseus agrees
to a public tournament between the two for Emilia's hand. Each warrior will be allowed
three companions to assist them. The loser and his companion knights will be executed.
The jailer finds his daughter with the help of friends. He tries to restore her mental health.
On the advice of a doctor, he encourages her former suitor to pretend to be Palamon so
that she will be gradually accustomed to see him as her true love. His devotion slowly
wins her over.
Before the tournament, Arcite prays to Mars that he win the battle; Palamon prays to
Venus that he marry Emilia; Emilia prays to Diana that she be wed to the one who loves
her best. Each prayer is granted: Arcite wins the combat, but is then thrown from his
horse and dies, leaving Palamon to wed Emilia.