# Scene III explained — The Two Noble Kinsmen

> Chapter companion for The Two Noble Kinsmen by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Pirithous, Hippolyta, and Emilia exchange farewells before the gates of Athens as Pirithous departs to join Theseus in war. Hippolyta and Emilia discuss the deep bond between Pirithous and Theseus, and Emilia recalls her childhood friendship with Flavina, asserting that the pure love between maidens can surpass romantic love. Hippolyta gently challenges Emilia's conviction but affirms her own devotion to Theseus.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship vs. Romantic Love

Emilia contrasts the deep, innocent love she shared with Flavina with the celebrated friendship of Pirithous and Theseus, questioning whether romantic love can match such bonds.

### Gender and Power

Hippolyta and Emilia, as women, discuss love and loyalty from a female perspective, asserting their own emotional agency while acknowledging the dominant male bonds of war and friendship.

## Character check-ins

### Pirithous

Bids farewell to Hippolyta and Emilia, expressing his loyalty and affection before departing for war.

### Hippolyta

Wishes Pirithous well, reflects on the bond between Pirithous and Theseus, and later challenges Emilia's views on love.

### Emilia

Remembers her childhood friend Flavina, arguing that the love between maidens is purer than romantic love; remains steadfast in her belief.

## Key lines

> Their knot of love Tied, weav’d, entangled, with so true, so long, And with a finger of so deep a cunning, May be out-worn, never undone.

The bond of love between them is so tightly and skillfully woven that it may wear thin over time but can never be completely broken.

_Hippolyta describes the enduring friendship between Pirithous and Theseus._

> the true love ’tween maid, and maid may be More than in sex dividual.

The genuine love between two women can be greater than the love between a man and a woman.

_Emilia asserts the superiority of same-sex female friendship over heterosexual love._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_two_noble_kinsmen_se/chapters