Summary Julia gives Proteus a ring to remember her by as he prepares to depart by ship for Milan. Forcing back tears, they say goodbye: Proteus: The tide is now — nay, not thy tide of tears; That tide will stay me longer than I should. (14–15) Proteus’s servant, Launce, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scenes 2-3Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 1
Summary In Milan, we find Speed taking great pleasure in aggravating his master, who shows all the external signs of being in love. “You have learned,” he tells Valentine, to wreathe your arms, like a malcontent; to relish a lovesong, like a robin redbreast; to walk alone, like one that […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 1Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 3
Summary Proteus’s father decides to send his son abroad to Milan, where Valentine has gone, to gain experience of the world. When Proteus comes onto the stage, he is obviously in a daydream, clutching a love letter and warbling (“O heavenly Julia”) in such a way as to make his […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 3Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 2
Summary Julia asks her “waiting woman,” Lucetta, if she “counsels” her “to fall in love,” after which the servant appraises the eligible suitors named by her mistress. Sir Eglamour is “well-spoken, neat, and fine,” Mercatio is wealthy, but Proteus is most favored. Asked to explain why, Lucetta responds: I have […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 2Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 1
Summary The scene is Verona, where two well-born young friends, Valentine and Proteus, are taking leave of one another. “He after honour hunts, I after love” says Proteus, once Valentine has departed for Milan. The latter’s efforts to persuade his friend to travel abroad with him have failed. He warned […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 1Character List
Valentine The first of the “gentlemen”; Valentine is early described by his friend Proteus as one who “after honor hunts” rather than after love. While abroad in Milan, Valentine succumbs to the charms of Silvia, the Duke’s daughter, but before he is successfully united with her, he must suffer the […]
Read more Character ListAbout Two Gentlemen of Verona
Two Gentlemen of Verona doesn’t appear to have much merit. The plot is unlikely, even for a comedy; the motivations of the characters — Proteus, in particular — are so mercurial that an audience finds them hard to accept; and, finally, the ending seems absurdly unexpected, not so much through […]
Read more About Two Gentlemen of VeronaPlay Summary
The two “gentlemen” of the title are Proteus and Valentine, who are taking leave of one another as the play opens. Valentine travels to Milan, where he falls in love with Silvia, daughter of the Duke. Proteus, meanwhile, hunts after love and remains in Verona, pledged to faithfulness to his […]
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