Synopsis
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
Valentine and Proteus, two gentlemen of Verona, are close friends. Contrary
to his name, Valentine scorns love and wishes to be ‘tutor’d in
the world.’ Proteus, meanwhile, wishes only to remain in Verona with
his sweetheart, Julia. The friends part, Valentine setting off for the court
of Milan, accompanied by his pageboy Speed.
In Verona, Julia, overwhelmed by her emotions for Proteus, berates her servant
Lucetta for receiving his love letters and then turns the knife on herself
for ignoring them. When Antonio, Proteus’ father, orders his son to follow
Valentine to the Duke’s court in Milan, the two young lovers exchange
rings and vows of eternal faith. Launce, Proteus’ servant, is also forced
to leave home, and bids a tearful goodbye to his family before setting sail
with his dog, Crab.
In Milan, Valentine arrives and falls instantly in love with Silvia, the daughter
of the Duke. Proteus arrives soon after and also forswears his vows—his
love for Julia, his friendship for Valentine—by falling for Silvia. Silvia
prefers Valentine, but her father supports Thurio, the wealthier suitor. Unaware
of Proteus’ true feelings, Valentine tells him of his plan to elope with
Silvia. The Duke, informed of the plot by Proteus, tricks Valentine into confessing
his plan, banishes him from Milan and assigns Proteus the mission of wooing
Silvia for Thurio.
Meanwhile, Julia, disguised as a boy, has travelled to Milan to reunite with
Proteus. She presents herself to him as Sebastian the page, and Proteus tasks
her with wooing Silvia for his sake. The banished Valentine and Speed leave
for Mantua, but a highly selective band of Outlaws captures them in the woods
and make Valentine their leader. Silvia rejects the amorous Proteus and escapes
Milan, with the help of Eglamour, but she is also captured by the Outlaws.
Proteus, pursuing Silvia, fights off the Outlaws and attempts to win her in
a frenzy. Shocked at his friend’s behavior, Valentine intervenes and
a fight ensues. Proteus, suddenly realizing his contemptible actions, begs
for forgiveness from Valentine. Valentine, suddenly magnanimous, pardons Proteus
and offers his love in Silvia to his friend. Julia, still disguised as Sebastian,
has been watching all of these events and faints. Proteus discovers her identity
and, repenting his inconstancy, returns to his first love. Valentine sets the
captured Duke and Thurio free; Thurio backs off his claim to Silvia and the
Duke accepts Valentine as his new son. The Outlaws are pardoned for past sins
and all return to Milan.
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