Members:  Danielle, Alli, Rifat, and Aakash
This group is responsible for Act 1, Scene 3 and Act 3.

PROLOGUE

This is a great tale, changing in time,

first penned by a fine man named Chaucer.

Adapted by the eternal Shakespeare – and his friend Fletcher,

One of tragedy, and of comedy.

A tale of souls entwining and unraveling,

of friendship and love and all that goes with it.

 

ACT I, SCENE III

Enter Pirithous, Hippolyta, and Emilia

PIRITHOUS

No more.

HIPPOLYTA

Dear Sir, farewell. Please pass on my well wishes

To our lord. I am certain of his success in the

War, yet I wish him power over the enemies.

May the force be with him.

PIRITHOUS

My wishes are merely minute, yet

They shall find their way to our lord.

EMILIA

I shall pray to the Gods for their success.

Our spirits are with the army.

HIPPOLYTA

We were soldiers, so we cannot weep

When our friends wear their helmets,

Or set out for war.

 

PIRITHOUS

Peace be to you

As I pursue this war, which shall be then

Beyond further requiring.

Exeunt

EMILIA

Since his depart, his actions have become careless. His attended has become divided. Have you noticed a difference?

  

HIPPOLYTA

I have noticed him, with love. They two have experienced a lot together, including dangerous situations and escaping tyrannical leaders. They have been near death together. Yet fate hath let them survive. Their bond of love has been woven so tight that nothing can break it. I think Theseus cares more for his friend than me.

  

EMILIA

Doubtful. It is you who he loves most. When I was younger, I had a play-fellow. You were jealous of our friendship when we were eleven years of age.

  

HIPPOLYTA

Oh yes, with Flavina.

EMILIA

Yes, you talk of Pirithous’ and Theseus’ love;

Theirs is more grounded and seasoned,

Better secured with strong judgment, and their needs

The one of th’ other may be said to water

Their entwined roots of love – but I

And Flavina sigh and all the words we spoke were born of innocence.

  

HIPPOLYTA

Love, I feel your pain through your words. I now understand how deep your love for Flavina was. I may be speaking too soon, but I don’t know if you’ll ever be able to love a man the way you loved her.

EMILIA

I think you’re right.  I am not

Against your faith

Exeunt

 

ACT III, SCENE I

  

ARCITE

Oh, Queen Emilia, sweeter than sugar cane.

Prettier than the spring flowers–softer than cotton candy.

She blesses the forest with her presence. Oh, how proud I am.

She knows me. Oh, poor cousin Palamon, although free, you are wretched.

  

PALAMON

Traitor!

Oh, only if these shackles were off of me, and if

I had a sword in my hands, I swear by the God of Justice.

My love would make you a confessed traitor. Only if I had–

  

ARCITE

Dear cousin Palamon, I fail to find any evil in my heart.

You’re mistaken; I live for honor and honesty. You have

Seen my sword against the enemies.

  

PALAMON

Approach me and give me a sword, no matter how rusty.

Offer me a meal and a sword, and say Emilia is yours.

  

ARCITE

Be content. At the darkest of the night, I will be here.

Give me your hand, farewell. I’ll bring you things you need.

Please take comfort and be strong.

  

PALAMON

You most certainly do not love me.

Take these polite words out of your mouth, and

Be rough with me.

 

 

ACT III, SCENE II

 

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

I am fearless because Sadness has

Slain all my fear, but for one thing. Palamon.

Food, I didn’t take any these two days. Only

Sipped some water. This is an end, and end to all.

 

ARCITE

It should be around here somewhere. Cousin Palamon!

 

PALAMON

Arcite? Is that you?

 

ARCITE

Yes, I brought you food. Come and don’t fear.

We’ll argue afterwards.

I know you are faint, drink and then we’ll talk.

 

PALAMON

Arcite, you might poison me.

 

ARCITE

Sit down now. No more of these hostile words.

Let us not be fools and cowards.

No mention of this woman. We’ll have time later.

 

 

ACT III, SCENE III

 

ARCITE

Do not fret about the food… The Duke has more. You should eat now.

PALAMON

Yes.

ARCITE

I am glad you such an appetite

PALAMON

I am happier I have such good meat to satisfy it.

ARCITE

Is’t not crazy persons in this wood, cousin?

PALAMON

Yes, those that have wild minds.

ARCITE

How tastes your food? I see you do not need sauce to satisfy your hunger.

PALAMON

Not much. If I did, yours is too bitter, dear cousin. What is this?

ARCITE

Venison

PALAMON

‘Tis a hearty meat. Give me some more wine. Here, Artice, to the ladies we have known during our lives. Do you remember the Lord Steward’s daughter?

ARCITE

After you.

PALAMON

She loved a man with black hair

ARCITE

She did

PALAMON

I have heard he is named Arcite, and-

ARCITE

Say it then.

PALAMON

She met him in a garden. Cousin, what did she do there? Play on the virginals?

ARCITE

She did something

PALAMON

Made her wait for a month, or two, or three, or ten.

ARCITE

I remember the Marshall’s sister played too. If not, there may be false stories. Elsewhere. Do you recall her?

PALAMON

Yes.

ARCITE

I remember she was a lady, with brown hair. There used to be a time when young men went hunting in the woods and found a lady. That is a tale. (Arcite lets out a sigh)

PALAMON

I will give my life for Emilia. Stop with your joyousness. You let out a sign for Emilia. Did you not break your promise first?

ARCITE

You are far off.

PALAMON

By heaven and earth, no part of you is honest.

ARCITE

Then I will leave you since you have become a traitor.

PALAMON

You make me a traitor.

ARCITE

Files, shirts, and perfumes are all things you need. I’ll return in two hours and bring them. That shall make things okay.

PALAMON

Bring a sword and armour.

ARCITE

I shall bring them, do not worry. You are too dirty; goodbye. Take off your bracelets. For you do not need them.

PALAMON

Sirrah

ARCITE

I do not need to hear more from you. (Exeunt)

PALAMON

If he keeps his promise, he shall die for it.

 

 

ACT III, SCENE IV

 

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

I am very cold and it is nighttime. Palamon? Alas, no, he has died and is now in heaven. Where am I?

 

ACT III, SCENE V

 

JAILER’S DAUGHTER

I remember the Schoolmaster telling me about his spending so long teaching the country people and his laying his understanding upon them. He wondered how do ye still have questions about what has been taught? Those country people did see me wandering about and questioned wherefore a mad woman had come through the wood. I thought I could complete their dance. And so I decided I shall take lead and partake in their merry dance.

 

THESEUS

The stag went this way. What is going on here? Who was screaming over yonder about the stars, omnipresent frogs, a ship, cutting a green coat, shortening her yellow locks, and the purchase of a white cut?

PIRITHOUS

I believe it is some country sport, sir. It appears to have been the talk of a mad woman.

THESEUS

Well, we shall watch. Ladies, sit down and watch.

 

 

ACT III, SCENE VI

Another part of the forest near Athens.

(Palamon, Arcite, Theseus, Hippolyta, Emilia, Pirithous)

Enter Palamon from the bush.

 

PALAMON

My cousin promised to bring me, two swords and two good sets of armor.

I did not think that in just a week could have regained the strength I had lost.

I felt as though my journey had drained every last ounce of life I had in me. Thank you, Arcite. Despite everything, you are still a fair opponent.

With this rest, I feel capable of victory. I can now focus on justice.

I shall end this.

 

Enter Arcite with armors and swords.

 

PALAMON

I know I have caused you great pain.

 

ARCITE

Too much, but it is my duty to bear it.

Anyway, we were not bred to talk, man.

When we are arm’d And both upon our guards, then let our fury, fly from us,

will be seen. I bear no hatred for you. I a part of me wishes I had not said I that I loved her.

 

PALAMON

Arcite, you are so great a man that nobody but your cousin is fit to kill you.

 

ARCITE

I too would deem no one, save you, worthy of the honour.

 

PALAMON

Our time is scarce. Our fight must begin.

For all my hopes. My cause and honor guard me!

 

ARCITE

And me my love!

They bow several ways; then advance and stand.

Is there anything left to say?

PALAMON

Just this, and nothing else: you are my own,

that blood we desire to shed is mutual,

In me, you, and in you, me. My sword

Is in my hand, and if you kill me,

The gods and I forgive you. If there is a heaven,

I wish for your soul to rest there.

Fight bravely, cousin.

 

ARCITE

Here,  and now, Palamon; my hand shall never come

near you with friendship. If I fall, curse me, and say I was a coward,

For none but such dare die in these just trials.

Once more, farewell, my cousin.

 

PALAMON

Farewell, Arcite.

Fight. Horns within; they stand.

Stop! Do you hear that?

ARCITE

It’s the Duke, he’s out hunting.

If he sees us, we’re both dead.

Make haste! You must to get back inside the bush.

We shall find too many hours to die in, gentle cousin.

But at this moment, you would die for breaking prison, and I, for my contempt, if you reveal me.

 

PALAMON

No, no, cousin,

I will not hide again, nor put wait until a second trial.

 

ARCITE

What? Are you crazy!?

PALAMON

This is my hour, and I will take advantage of it.

Know, weak cousin, I love Emilia, and for that cause I’ll bury

you any other man to cross me.

 

ARCITE

Then come what may,

I do not fear death, but it pains me to know that the law will have the honor of our ends.

 

Fight again. Horns. Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Emilia, Pirithous, and Train.

 

THESEUS

You two. I thought I would find you here. My dearest Hippolyta and my fair child Emilia have gone to great lengths, telling me of your story, begging me to take pity on your souls. I could end you both today. I shall not, because the words of Hippolyta and Emilia have moved me. I have chosen to extend to you another punishment.

You two can be banished, instead, on the conditions that you sear to never know Emilia, never to tread upon my ground and wherever you travel, forever be strangers to one another.

 

PALAMON

I’ll cut myself to pieces before I take this oath. I can lightly bear the pain of banishment but forget I love her? I cannot.

But take our lives, Duke. I must love, and will,

And if that love must and dare kill this cousin, it shall.

 

THESEUS

Will you, Arcite, Take these conditions?

 

ARCITE

No, never. It is worse to me than begging to take my life so basely.

I may enjoy her, but I will preserve

The honor of my affection, and die for her,  make death a devil.

 

THESEUS

What may be done? For now I feel compassion.

Say, Emilia,

If of them must die, are you content to take the other as your husband?

They cannot both enjoy you. But they are both princes, they are as goodly as your own eyes, and as noble as men can be. Look upon them, and if you see love, end this difference. I give consent.—Are you content too, princes?

 

BOTH ARCITE AND PALAMON

With all our souls.

 

THESEUS

He that she refuses

Must die then.

 

BOTH ARCITE AND PALAMON

Any death you can invent, Duke.

 

THESEUS

Make choice then.

EMILIA

I cannot, sir, they are both too excellent:

 

HIPPOLYTA

What can become of  them now?

 

THESEUS

You shall both to your country. You will return in one month, accompanied

With three fair knights, for a trial-by-combat. One of you shall take Emilia’s hand in marriage, and the other will lose his head, along with his friends.

Will this content you all?

 

PALAMON

Yes. Here, cousin Arcite. I had spoken too soon,

we are friends again till that hour.

 

ARCITE

Let us celebrate with an embrace.

 

THESEUS

Are you content, sister?

 

EMILIA

Yes, I must be.

 

THESEUS

Come shake hands again then,

And take heed, as you are gentlemen, this quarrel shall rest until we meet again.

 

PALAMON

We dare not fail you, Theseus. Till then!

 

Exeunt.