Main Characters Duke of Milan-Silvia's father Antonio-Proteus' father Valentine-a gentleman of Verona Proteus-a gentleman of Verona Thurio-Valentine's rival Eglamour-helps Silvia escape Speed-Valentine's servant Launce-Proteus' servant Panthino-Antonio's servant Julia-Proteus' beloved Silvia-Valentine's beloved Lucetta-Julia's servant Crab-a pet dog
A (Very) Brief Plot Summary
Act I Scene I: Valentine says goodbye and teases Proteus about being in love. Scene II: Lucetta advises Julia to accept Proteus' letter. Julia tears it up. Scene III: Panthino wants Antonio to send Proteus with Valentine.
Act II Scene I: Valentine and Silvia are in love. Scene II: Proteus and Julia exchange rings. Scene III: Launce will go with Proteus. Scene IV: Thurio is also in love with Silvia Valentine tells the Duke and Silvia about Proteus. Valentine plans to elope with Silvia. Proteus has also fallen in love with Silvia. Scene V: Speed greets Launce. Scene VI: Proteus plots to win Silvia. Scene VII: Julia plans to disguise herself as a boy and journey to meet Proteus.
Act III Scene I: The Duke tricks Valentine into revealing his plan and banishes him. Valentine flees and Speed goes to meet him. Scene II: Proteus agrees to speak badly of Valentine to Silvia and tells Thurio to write poetry to her.
Act IV Scene I: The outlaws make Valentine their leader. Scene II: Thurio comes to woo Silvia. Julia hears Proteus singing to Silvia. Silvia accuses Proteus of disloyalty but agrees to give him her picture. Scene III: Eglamour agrees to go to find Valentine. Scene IV: Silvia refuses to accept Crab as a gift. Proteus sends Launce to find the dog he was supposed to give her. Proteus sends Julia to deliver a ring to Silvia and obtain her picture. Silvia refuses the ring.
Act V Scene I: Silvia meets Eglamour. Scene II: Proteus tells Thurio that Silvia doesn't like him. The Duke takes Thurio and Proteus to pursue Silvia. Scene III: The outlaws bring Silvia to Valentine. Scene IV: Silvia refuses Proteus again and declares her love for Valentine, who saves her. Proteus repents and is forgiven. Proteus recognizes Julia and she forgives him. Thurio agrees to leave Silvia alone. The Duke pardons Valentine and the outlaws.
Glossary Farthingale -part of a woman's skirt Postern -a back door or escape route Habiliments -clothing Allicholy -melancholy, sad Lubber -a clumsy, unskilled sailor Jerkin -a sleeveless jacket Preferment -promotion or advancement Noddy -a black-brown bird Pinfold -a pen for animals Beadsman -hired to say prayers for another
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
This is another of Shakespeare's early comedies. To write it, the Bard combined plots from Diana Enamorada by Jorge de Montemayor and Flavio Betrayed by Flamencio Scala. This was not laziness or copyright infringement-in his day imitation really was considered the sincerest form of flattery.
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