Shakespeare Tales of Friendship and Betrayal

By William Shakespeare and Edith Nesbit

"Shakespeare Tales of Friendship and Betrayal" presents a captivating collection of William Shakespeare's plays that delve into the intricacies of human relationships, with a particular emphasis on the themes of friendship and betrayal. Through these tales, Shakespeare explores the fragile nature of trust, the complexities of loyalty, and the profound impact of betrayal on both individuals and communities. The anthology opens with "The Two Gentlemen of Verona," a delightful comedy that delves into the complexities of friendship. The play follows the lives of two close friends, Valentine and Proteus, whose bond is tested when they both fall in love with the same woman. Shakespeare skillfully weaves a tale that explores the boundaries of loyalty, highlighting the dilemmas and consequences that arise when friendship collides with desire. Included in this volume: The Two Gentlemen of Verona; The Comedy of Errors; The Winter's Tale;

• Language: English
• Publisher: Interactive Media
• Release date: Jan 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9781787249905

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare is the world's greatest ever playwright. Born in 1564, he split his time between Stratford-upon-Avon and London, where he worked as a playwright, poet and actor. In 1582 he married Anne Hathaway. Shakespeare died in 1616 at the age of fifty-two, leaving three children—Susanna, Hamnet and Judith. The rest is silence.

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William Shakespeare

Edith Nesbit

Shakespeare Tales of Friendship

and Betrayal

Published by Sovereign Classic

This Edition

First published in 2018

Copyright © 2018 Sovereign

All Rights Reserved.

ISBN: 9781787249905

Contents

TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

THE WINTER’S TALE

TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

Only one of them was really a gentleman, as you will discover later. Their names were Valentine and Proteus. They were friends, and lived at Verona, a town in northern Italy. Valentine was happy in his name because it was that of the patron saint of lovers; it is hard for a Valentine to be fickle or mean. Proteus was unhappy in his name, because it was that of a famous shape-changer, and therefore it encouraged him to be a lover at one time and a traitor at another.

One day, Valentine told his friend that he was going to Milan. I’m not in love like you, said he, and therefore I don’t want to stay at home.

Proteus was in love with a beautiful yellow-haired girl called Julia, who was rich, and had no one to order her about. He was, however, sorry to part from Valentine, and he said, If ever you are in danger tell me, and I will pray for you. Valentine then went to Milan with a servant called Speed, and at Milan he fell in love with the Duke of Milan’s daughter, Silvia.

When Proteus and Valentine parted Julia had not acknowledged that she loved Proteus. Indeed, she had actually torn up one of his letters in the presence of her maid, Lucetta. Lucetta, however, was no simpleton, for when she saw the pieces she said to herself, All she wants is to be annoyed by another letter. Indeed, no sooner had Lucetta left her alone than Julia repented of her tearing, and placed between her dress and her heart the torn piece of paper