In many of Shakespeare's comedies, we see people of all social ranks being depicted – from the highest of nobles to the lowest of servants. In cases of male friendship, there is a common pattern in which the friendship develops through master-servant relationships, which help and benefit each other. Two relevant examples of this type of relationship are seen in Lucentio and Tranio in The Taming of the Shrew, and between Adam and Orlando in As You Like It. In either case, these master-servant friendships can be compared to other friendships in the play that have varying degrees of equality/inequality, to clarify what makes these friendships different. In this essay, the nature of these two friendships and the manner in which they are depicted will be explored, as well as their intended roles and functions in furthering the narratives of their respective plays. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get an Original EssayIn order to examine the friendships of Lucentio and Tranio, as well as Adam and Orlando, it is important that we first define a concept of masculinity. friendship to compare them to. I formed my definition around that of Lorna Huston, who theorizes that male friendships were "an economic dependency as well as an emotional bond".[1] Seen in this light, male friendships in Shakespearean plays are not simply treated in terms of sharing. thoughts and feelings between characters, but a relationship of reciprocity – where members of a friendship work to aid and assist the other[2]. This definition of friendship is active in both the relationships between Lucentio and Tranio, and between Adam and Orlando, because although they are both master-servant relationships, they both work to enrich each other, knowing that it will be useful to them, while satisfying the other. emotional needs of the other. From the beginning of The Taming of the Shrew, we see a strong representation of male friendship in the bond between Lucentio and Tranio. Lucentio is a nobleman in love with Pisa, who came to Padua to attend the prestigious university[3]. He is accompanied by his “faithful servant”[4] Tranio. Throughout the narrative, Tranio strives to aid Lucentio in his mission to woo Bianca. It is clear that on the one hand, Tranio recognizes his official role as Lucentio's servant. At the end of Act 1, Scene 1, Tranio states that he is "bound to obedience"[5] and refers to his promise to Lucentio's father to be useful to Lucentio. However, Tranio concludes that he has no problem granting Lucentio's wish "Because I love Lucentio so much".[6] this suggests that although Tranio recognizes and acknowledges his duty as Lucentio's servant, his actions are primarily motivated by love. The friendship between Lucentio and Tranio is described as being similar to the bond between a wise mentor and his enthusiastic student. At the beginning of Act 1, Scene 1, Lucentio asks Tranio's opinion “Tell me what you think…”[7] about his decision to move from Pisa to Padua. While Lucentio respected Tranio enough to ask his opinion, Tranio also felt comfortable enough to answer honestly. In his monologue, Tranio gives Lucentio wise advice, such as "No profit grows where there is no pleasure." In short, sir, study what affects you most”[8]. Lucentio also has a lot of trust in Tranio, as seen when he begs for his help after falling in love with Bianca; “Advise me, Tranio, for I know you can. Help me, Tranio, because I know you will. “That until the Father gets rid of her, Master, your love must remain a servant at home. »[10] Thengive him the solution “You will be a schoolmaster and will undertake the teaching of the servant. »[11]According to Jeremy Taylor's understanding of friendship, Tranio proves his usefulness as a friend, as he "gives advice"[12] and reveals himself as an "active and helpful individual"[13] when he willingly plays the role of Lucentio, and never fails to act in Lucentio's best interest. The friendship between Lucentio and Tranio is integral to the advancement of the narrative of The Taming of the Shrew, as without Tranio, Lucentio would likely not have been able to come up with a plan to lure Bianca and would have carried her through to good. In fact, the plan works mainly because of the dedication and intuition Tranio puts into acting as Lucentio. He is easily able to fool the rest of the characters into believing that he is Lucentio, and cleverly bluffs his love for Bianca "And I am the one who loves Bianca the most"[14] (2.1. 323). Tranio also acts quickly when he tricks the merchant into pretending to be Vincentio in order to maintain the charade and deceive Baptista. While Lucentio and Tranio are an example of a close but unequal friendship, they are paralleled in the play by the friendship of Petruchio and Hortensio, both of whom are men of wealth and high status. Petruchio considers Hortensio his "most beloved and approved friend",[15] and Hortensio often acts in Petruchio's best interests. As when he mentions Katherine in response to Petruchio's desire for an earthly wife, but is quick to warn him that she would make a "wily and unfavored wife".[16] In this scene, Hortensio acts in a way that benefits him, because Katherine must first be married before Baptista will think of allowing anyone to marry Bianca. While helping Petruchio in his search for a rich wife and warning him of her nature. By comparing the friendships of Hortensio and Petruchio and Lucentio and Tranio, we discover that these friendships are shaped by their respective equality and inequality. Hortensio's friendship towards Petruchio is unaffected by matters of status and service, but Tranio achieved the greatest feat of friendship by impersonating Lucentio and doing so willingly. The next male friendship that fits the definition of friendship described earlier is that of Adam and Orlando in As You Like It. The noble but uneducated Orlando seeks refuge in the Forest of Arden, accompanied by his old servant and companion, Adam, after learning of his brother Oliver's murderous intentions towards him.[17] Whereas in The Taming of the Shrew, the relationship between Lucentio and Tranio was depicted as relatively equal, with Lucentio admiring Tranio, but Tranio working to benefit and help Lucentio. The friendship between Adam and Orlando causes Adam to behave more in the traditional servant role, but we see Orlando and Adam working equally to help and benefit each other. It is clear that Adam has clearly served a long time within the de Bois family, he refers to Orlando and Oliver's father as "old master"[18] and states that he "lost my teeth in your service"[ 19] when reprimanding Oliver. Adam also refers to Orlando as his "master", such as when he cries "O my sweet master, O my sweet master".[20] However, he also expresses his love, adoration, and concern for Orlando's well-being. In the same scene, he praises Orlando as "gentle, strong and valiant".[21] Based on the fact that Adam probably played a central role in Orlando's upbringing and his expressed attachment to Orlando, we can infer that Adam therefore took on a familial role in Orlando's life – probably something something akin to that of a grandfather. THEhousehold-family, Tadmor points out that people who lived in the 16th-18th centuries often did not limit the concept of family to direct blood relatives, but often extended this concept to everyone living in the household.[22] Tadmor also observes that friends were also referred to as friends.[23] When Adam informs Orlando of his need to flee, due to the imminent threat to his life, he performs a fantastic act of giving, when he offers Orlando his savings of "five hundred crowns from the thrifty salary I I saved under your father, which I stored to be my adopted nurse”[24]. Furthermore, he offers to accompany him and offers “Let me be your servant”[25]. In this substantial display of generosity, Adam meets the criteria of what makes, according to Jeremy Taylor, a good friend. While being “true and honest”[26], he is also “free with his money”[27]. Later, we see Orlando reciprocate the favors he owes Adam, when he carries Adam to a sheltered location in Act 2, Scene 6, where Adam is doomed to collapse from hunger and exhaustion . He is also prepared to humiliate himself in front of the senior Duke, Jaques, and the rest of their entourage when he awkwardly walks into their gathering, sword drawn, and exclaims that they "abstain and eat no more!" »[28] Although Orlando and Adam's Friendship does not advance the play's narrative in any substantial way, it instead serves the function of providing a touching example of devotion, love, and loyalty to the audience . In the name of Orlando and Adam. Orlando and Adam's friendship also serves as Orlando's introduction to Duke Senior and his entourage, as he interrupts their gathering to forage for food on Adam's behalf. Another male friendship in As You Like It that could be used as a counterpoint to that of Orlando and Adam is that between the senior Duke and his lords – particularly Amiens and Jaques. Again, these friendships are forged on inequality, as Duke Senior occupies a higher position than any lord. However, their difference in status is blurred by the fact that Duke Senior has been banished from the court and currently holds no formal power. He even describes the lords who accompanied him as equals when he calls them his “companions and brothers in exile”[29]. It is important to note that all the lords made a substantial sacrifice in giving up their way of life to follow Duke Senior into the Forest of Arden. A decision undoubtedly motivated in part by a sense of service, since the lords still designate him as their superior, as when they call him “Your Grace”[30] and “Monseigneur”[31]. However, this must have been doubly motivated by a feeling of friendship and a genuine preference of the senior Duke over Duke Frederick. Comparing the two, both friendships are similar as they are driven by multiple senses of service, friendship, and in the case of Orlando and Adam; family love. Comparing the friendships between Lucentio and Tranio and Orlando and Adam, there are several points of similarity. First, the two friendships are created between masters and servants, and the two friendships help and benefit each other. Of course, the glaring fact that these friendships involve masters and servants inevitably raises the question of to what extent these friendships can be considered genuine? In response to this question, Taylor alludes to the importance of choice; Who we choose for our friends is just as important as who we don't choose.[32] The fact that Orlando and Lucentio chose to include Tranio and Adam as friends, instead of choosing to let them remain mere servants, is telling. Additionally, Taylor discusses the benefits of inequality in friendships, particularly in.. 167-175.