[11] In this passage, Statius describes the meeting between Theseus,
returning in triumph with Hippolyta, and the widows of those slain at the
siege of Thebes, who complain that the tyrant Creon will not permit their
husbands' bodies to be either burned or buried. This episode, as we shall
see, is the opening of the _Knightes Tale,_ and reappears in a modified
form in _The Two Noble Kinsmen._
[12] J. M. Rigg's introduction to his translation of the _Decameron_ (1903)
[13] This opening, derived from Statius (see note, p. 13), serves merely to
introduce the main story, much in the same way as the Theseus story in _A
Midsummer-Night's Dream_ is simply the "enveloping action" of the play.
[14] W.W. Greg's edition, i 19-20, ii. 168. Henslowe's dates for the
performances are 17 September, 16 and 27 October, and November, 1594.
Against the first entry are the much-discussed letters "ne," which appear
to mark a new play. It will be seen that according to the theory that _A
Midsummer-Night's Dream_ belongs to the winter of 1594-5, this Palamon and
Arcite play was performed immediately before.
[15] Professor Gollancz considers that Shakespeare had no hand in the play.
[16] Cf. I. i. 167 and IV. i. 129-30.
[17] It is perhaps fantastic to interpret too literally Arcite's song to
May--"I hope that I som grene gete may"--but, however little of their
primitive significance now remains, celebration of the rites of May is by
no means extinct.
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