The Two Noble Kinsmen tells the story of two friends who are taken prisoner by the Duke of Athens and fall in love with same woman.
There are some difficult issues which arise in this play but there is so much to discuss. The close relationship between Arcite and Palamon and their focus on chivalry and 'nobility' make this play a great way to look at friendships and responsibility. There are lots of other themes you can use as routes into the text as well including:
- Honour and Loyalty
- Unrequited Love
- The role of Women
There are so many different ways into the text but you may find the following particularly useful in introducing the the play:
