In many of Shakespeare's comedies, we see people from all walks of life depicted: from the highest of nobles, to the lowest of servants. In cases of male friendship, there is a common pattern that sees friendship develop through master-servant relationships, which help and benefit each other. Two pertinent 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 both cases, these master-servant friendships can be compared to other friendships in the work that present varying degrees of equality/inequality, to specify what makes these friendships different. This essay will explore the nature of both of these friendships and how they are portrayed, as well as their intended roles and functions in carrying forward the narratives of their respective works. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayTo examine the friendships of Lucentio and Tranio, as well as Adam and Orlando, it is important to first define a concept of male friendship to which to compare them. I modeled my definition around that of Lorna Huston, who theorized that male friendships were "an economic dependence as well as an emotional bond."[1] Viewed from this perspective, male friendships in Shakespearean plays are treated not simply in terms of sharing thoughts and feelings between characters, but a reciprocal relationship – where members of a friendship work to help and benefit the other[ 2]. This definition of friendship is active both in the relationships between Lucentio and Tranio, and between Adamo and Orlando, since although both are master-servant relationships, they both work to benefit each other with the knowledge that it will serve themselves, as well as satisfy the emotional needs of the other. From the beginning of The Taming of the Shrew we see a solid representation of male friendship in the bond between Lucentio and Tranio. Lucentio is a Pisan nobleman in love, who came to Padua to attend the prestigious university[3]. His "trusted servant"[4] Tranio accompanies him. Throughout the narrative, Tranio works 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 declares 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 making Lucentio's wish come true “Because I love Lucentio so well”[6]. this suggests that while Tranio recognizes and acknowledges his duty as Lucentio's servant, his actions are motivated primarily by love. The friendship between Lucentio and Tranio is described as 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] on 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 pleasure is not received. In short, sir, study what concerns 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, because I know you can. Assist me, Tranio, for I know you will.”[9] Tranio reinforces his role as mentor when he immediately takes action after realizing the immediacy of Lucentio's love for Bianca, first defining the problem for Lucentio; “That until the Father delivers her from his hands, Master,your love must remain a servant in the house.”[10] Then giving him the solution “You will be a schoolmaster and assume the teaching of the servant.”[11]According to Jeremy Taylor's conception of friendship, Tranio demonstrates his usefulness as a friend, as he “gives advice”[12] and proves himself to be an “active and helpful individual”[13] when he willingly plays the role of Lucentio, and never fails to act in Lucentio's best interests. The friendship between Lucentio and Tranio is integral to advancing the narrative of The Taming of the Shrew, as without Tranio, Lucentio most likely would not have been able to produce a plan to lure Bianca, and would have carried it out successfully. In fact, the plan works mainly thanks to the dedication and intuition that Tranio brings to the role of Lucentio. He easily manages to fool the rest of the characters into thinking he is Lucentio, and cleverly bluffs his love for Bianca "And I am one who loves Bianca more"[14] (2.1.323). Tranio also acts quickly on his feet when he tricks the Merchant into pretending to be Vincentio to keep up the charade and tricking Baptista. While Lucentio and Tranio are an example of a close but unequal friendship, they are paralleled in the play to the friendship of Petruccio and Hortensio, both wealthy men of high status. Petruchio considers Hortensio to be his "most beloved and approved friend"[15], and Hortensio often acts in Petruchio's best interests. As when he mentions Catherine in response to Petruchio's desire for a land-owning wife, but is quick to warn him that she would be a "shrewd and bad-looking wife"[16]. In this scene, Hortensio acts in a way that is beneficial to himself, as Katherine must first marry before Baptista thinks of allowing anyone to marry Bianca. Also helping Petruchio in his search for a rich wife and warning him of his nature. Comparing the friendships of Hortensius and Petruchio and Lucentius and Tranio, we find that the friendships are shaped by their respective equality and inequality. Hortensius's friendship towards Petruchio is not influenced by matters of status and service, but Tranio performed the greatest feat of friendship by pretending to be Lucentio, and he did so willingly. The next male friendship that fits the previously outlined definition of friendship is that between Adam and Orlando in As You Like It. The noble but ignorant Orlando seeks refuge in the Forest Arden, accompanied by his elderly servant and companion, Adam, after learning of his brother Oliver's murderous intentions towards him[17]. While in The Taming of the Shrew the relationship between Lucentio and Tranio was portrayed as relatively equal, with Lucentio admiring Tranio, but Tranio working to benefit and help Lucentio. The friendship between Adam and Orlando sees Adam acting 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 within the de Bois family for a long time, he refers to Orlando and Oliver's father as “old master”[18] and claims to have “lost his teeth in your service”[19] when scolding Oliver. Adam also refers to Orlando as his 'master', as when he cries, "O my gentle master, O my sweet master."[20] However, he also expresses love, adoration, and concern for Orlando's well-being. In the same scene he praises Orlando, calling him "kind, strong and valiant"[21]. Based on the fact that Adam likely played a central role in Orlando's upbringing and his expressed affection towards Orlando, we can infer that Adam has consequently taken on a familial role in Orlando's life - probably something akin to a grandfather . When discussing the concept of Family-Regarding, Tadmor emphasizes thatthe populations who lived in the 16th-18th centuries often did not limit the concept of family to direct blood relatives, but often extended the concept to all those who lived in the family[22]. Tadmor also notes 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 life savings amounting to “five hundred crowns, the thrifty salary I have saved under your father, whom I have accumulated to be my adoptive 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 he is “true and honest”[26], he is also “free with his money”[27]. Later, we see Orlando return the favors he owes Adam, when he takes Adam to a sheltered place in Act 2, scene 6, when Adam is destined to collapse from hunger and exhaustion. He is also willing to humiliate himself before Duke Senior, Jaques, and the rest of their entourage when he awkwardly enters their meeting with his sword drawn and exclaims that "they don't eat anymore!"[28] Although Orlando and Adam's Friendship does not advance the narrative of the play in any substantial way, but serves the function of providing a touching example of devotion, love, and loyalty to the audience. On behalf of both Orlando and Adam. Orlando and Adam's friendship also serves as a means to introduce Orlando to Duke Senior and his entourage, as he interrupts their reunion to search 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 between Duke Senior and his lords, particularly Amiens and Jaques. Once again, these friendships are forged on inequality, as Duke Senior holds a higher position than any lord. However, their difference in status is clouded by the fact that Duke Senior has been banned from the court and currently holds no formal power. He even refers to the gentlemen who accompanied him as his equals when he calls them his “companions and brothers in exile”[29]. It is important to note that all lords made a substantial sacrifice by abandoning their way of life to follow Duke Senior into Forest Arden. A decision undoubtedly also motivated by a sense of service, since the lords still call him their superior, as when they call him "your grace"[30] and "my lord"[31]. However, it must have been doubly motivated by a sense of friendship and a genuine preference of Duke Senior over Duke Frederick. Comparing the two, both friendships are similar because they are motivated by multiple senses of service, friendship, and in the case of Orlando and Adam; family love. In comparing the friendships between Lucentio and Tranio and Orlando and Adam, there are several points of similarity. First, both friendships occur between masters and servants, and both friendships work to help and benefit each other. Of course, the obvious fact that these friendships involve masters and servants inevitably raises the question: to what extent can these friendships be considered authentic? Regarding 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, rather than choosing to have them remain purely servants, is significant. Furthermore, Taylor discusses the benefits of inequality in friendships, particularly on behalf of Tranio and Adam, as they could reap the benefits bestowed upon them by their wealthier companions/masters, Orlando and Lucentio[33]. Despite theirs.. 167-175.