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Satire
Definition of Setting
Setting is where and when a story or scene takes place. The where can be a real place like the city of New York, or it can be an imagined... read full definition
Setting is where and when a story or scene takes place. The where can be a real place like the city of New York, or... read full definition
Setting is where and when a story or scene takes place. The where can be a real place like the... read full definition
Setting
Explanation and Analysis:
The Two Noble Kinsmen is set in various locations in Ancient Greece. The primary setting of the play is Athens, which is depicted as a noble and ordered city, ruled by the fair and virtuous Duke of Athens, Theseus. The Athenian court serves as a backdrop for the love triangle involving Emilia, Arcite, and Palamon, and it is also the political center of the play. Throughout The Two Noble Kinsmen, Athens is associated with rules, honor, and societal norms, reflecting the structured and hierarchical aspects of Ancient Greek society.
The city of Thebes stands in stark contrast to the nobility of Athens. Its leader, Creon, is not depicted onstage, but both Athenian and Theban characters describe him as a cruel and ambitious tyrant. Thebes is home to Palamon and Arcite, and they fight bravely on behalf of their city in its war with Athens out of duty, despite their explicit condemnation of Creon as a despotic ruler. In the beginning of the play, Palamon and Arcite express their desire to leave the city for good, stating that Thebes has a corrupting influence on those who live there.
Other important scenes are set in the forest and countryside surrounding Athens. In contrast to the more formal, courtly settings of the city, the forest and countryside are depicted as a more natural and untamed environment. This is where Arcite and Palamon are imprisoned in a tower, and it is also where the rustic characters, including the jailer's daughter, reside. The play’s dramatic conclusion is set in the forest, outside of the law and order of the city.
