Two Gentlemen of Verona

"Betrayal is the willful slaughter of hope!"
                                                              -Renfield, Dracula

And so it would seem in USF's production of Shakespeare's Two gentlemen of Verona. Friends become bitter, and betray another's trust, only to circle back to the beginning when confronted by their grave misdeeds.

 I truly appreciated the 1920's setting. I can see exactly where the designers and director were coming from as this play is really quite stunningly similar to several elements in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, albeit with a much happier and more satisfying ending. Shakespeare was better at having most of his characters realize their faults eventually even though they may have reduced themselves into conniving little splotches of pond scum, (Referring to the fickle Proteus), for much of the play.

It was interesting to see how the man who scorned love found it and held it sacred once discovered and the man who readily admitted to love was the most willing to betray his former love as well as his best friend when confronted with a closer option than his girlfriend who was meant to stay at home.

This play was a wonderful mix of emotions. Sadness, hate, love, spite, humor, friendship, pride, and betrayal were all portrayed wonderfully. And of course, there was the very cute, and very well trained dog. I was very excited that they were able to make that decision to have an actual dog in the show rather than some poor soul in a doglike costume, although that does have a lot of potential for an entertaining relationship between dog and master.

The characters were very well set in to their purposes and they knew what they wanted, whether that be money, their first love, or the beautiful Silvia. And even with Proteus' deception and intrigue, the play ends happily with practically everyone getting what they originally wanted. Except for Silvia's father who had arranged the match between his favorite suitor Thurio and Silvia. Thurio, however, realizes that he will never have Silvia's heart and lets Valentine have her. In the end all those in From Verona along with the new addition of Silvia, triumph in love, and see the error of any mistakes and intrigues they may have performed.

Come, come, a hand from either: 

Let me be blest to make this happy close; 

'Twere pity two such friends should be long foes.

Bear witness, Heaven, I have my wish for ever.

I have now seen every play that USF put on this summer and fall season. I can cross a goal off of my bucket list! And every play was absolutely stellar! Good bye for now folks!