The young friends Valentine and Proteus say farewell to one another as Valentine resolves to travel, going first to Milan. Proteus will not leave Verona, where his beloved Julia lives. Julia's maid, Lucetta, gives a letter from Proteus to her mistress who treasures it despite her outward show of carelessness for the love it conveys.

Antonio, Proteus's father, sends his son to Milan, and Launce and his dog, Crab, sadly leave home to accompany their master. At the Duke's court Proteus finds Valentine who has fallen in love with Silvia, daughter of the Duke. With the help of his quick-witted page Speed, Valentine realises his love is returned. Proteus, who had earnestly exchanged rings and vows of faithfulness with Julia before leaving Verona, sees Silvia and immediately changes his allegiance.

As the Duke intends that the foolish Thurio should marry Silvia, Valentine makes plans to elope with her. He is discovered carrying a rope ladder after the jealous Proteus has revealed the plot to the Duke. Valentine is banished for his deceit and leaves court with Speed as companion. Proteus woos Silvia but she scorns his speeches and music, urging him to remember Julia. In contrast with all this courtly love Launce considers the virtues and vices of the milkmaid he wishes to marry.

In Verona Lucetta has helped Julia to get a disguise as a pageboy, calling herself Sebastian. Unrecognised in Milan, Julia/Sebastian is sent by Proteus, with the ring she had herself given him, to collect a portrait promised by Silvia who, nevertheless, remains devoted to her memory of Valentine.

The banished Valentine is captured by a band of noble outlaws who make him their captain. After Silvia has persuaded Sir Eglamour, a knight of the court, to accompany her to seek Valentine in Mantua she too is captured by the outlaws. The Duke and Thurio take Proteus (who is followed by Julia/Sebastian) in pursuit of Silvia and Proteus rescues her. Despite Silvia's protests Proteus attempts to force himself on her but is prevented by Valentine. Julia/Sebastian overhears the young men's argument and their reconciliation 'and, mistaking Valentine's apparent wish to give Proteus his interests in Silvia, she faints in front of them. Proteus recognises the ring she carries as the one he gave to Julia and when she reveals her identity Proteus's love for Julia is revived. The outlaws arrive with their captives, the Duke and Thurio, and Thurio's cowardice makes him deny Silvia. Valentine's attachment to Silvia is rewarded by the Duke's approval, and the two pairs of lovers agree to share a wedding day as the Duke gives a free pardon to the outlaws at Valentine's request.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona is among the earliest plays Shakespeare wrote, probably in the early 1590s.

© Marian J. Pringle
Special Collections Librarian