The Two Noble Kinsmen · Chapter
Scene V explained
Gerrold and a group of countrymen prepare a Morris dance for Theseus and his party, but one of their female dancers fails to appear.
What happens
Gerrold and a group of countrymen prepare a Morris dance for Theseus and his party, but one of their female dancers fails to appear. The Gaoler's Daughter, now mad, arrives and joins the dance, which is performed for the duke and his companions. Theseus rewards them and they depart.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This scene is the dramatic climax because it delivers the emotional and psychological peak of the cousins' riv…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Nature and Artifice
The contrast between the natural forest setting and the artificial, rehearsed Morris dance highlights the tension between raw nature and human-made order.
- Love and Madness
The Gaoler's Daughter's madness, stemming from her love for Palamon, is displayed through her erratic behavior and song during the dance.
Characters to notice
- Gerrold
The schoolmaster organizing the Morris dance, frustrated with his troupe's lack of preparation.
- Daughter
The Gaoler's Daughter, now mad, joins the Morris dance and sings a fragment of a song.
- Theseus
Arrives with his hunting party and watches the Morris dance, rewarding the performers.
- Emilia
Present with Theseus, she praises the dance as excellent.
- Hippolyta
Present with Theseus, she says she was never so pleased.
- Pirithous
Accompanies Theseus and gives money to the performers.
Key passages
“Fie, fie! What tediosity and disensanity Is here among ye!”
Shame, shame! What tediousness and madness is here among you!
Gerrold scolds the countrymen for their lack of understanding.
“There's a dainty mad woman, master, Come i' the nick; as mad as a March hare”
There's a fine mad woman, master, arrived just in time; as mad as a March hare.
The Third Countryman comments on the Gaoler's Daughter's timely and mad appearance.
“I can tell your fortune: You are a fool. Tell ten. I've pos'd him. Buzz!”
I can tell your fortune: you are a fool. Count to ten. I've stumped him. Buzz!
The Gaoler's Daughter mockingly tells Gerrold's fortune, calling him a fool.
“May the stag thou hunt'st stand long, And thy dogs be swift and strong!”
May the stag you hunt stand long, and your dogs be swift and strong!
Gerrold blesses Theseus's hunt as the duke departs.
