Although this volume contains three plays, I'll just focus on Two Gentleman of Verona here. The play is usually dated sometime between 1590 and 1594 and is one of Shakespeare's early works -- considered by some to be his first "romantic comedy."

To provide a whirlwind plot summary, Proteus and Valentine are two friends, each very much in love -- Proteus with Julia, and Valentine with Sylvia. Despite his feelings for Julia, Proteus falls madly in love with Sylvia the minute he sees her. He forgets all about Julia and conspires against his friend Valentine to win Sylvia. Julia arrives on the scene disguised as a boy and both she and Valentine learn of Proteus's betrayal. When Julia's disguise is uncovered, Proteus falls back in love with her. In the end all is forgiven, Valentine and Proteus renew their friendship, and the two couples are to be wed.

Two Gentlemen of Verona puts on view how foolish and selfish love can make us, how fickle friendship can be in the face of desire, and how today's burning passion can be forgotten ashes by tomorrow. It's a comedy though, and all's well that ends well.

As an early work of Shakespeare's, it's a bit rough and inconsistent -- there is a reason it's not as famous as Hamlet, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, or The Taming of the Shrew. Although, as always with Shakespeare, there are telling observations of human nature: "They do not love that do not show their love. O, they love least that let men know their love." ( )