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    The Two Gentlemen of Verona

    comedy

    The Two Gentlemen of Verona is one of Shakespeare's early comedies, about friendship tested by love. Two close friends, Valentine and Proteus, leave home for the city of Milan. Both fall for the same woman, Silvia, even though Proteus has already promised himself to Julia back in Verona. Proteus betrays his friend to get what he wants, while Julia follows him in secret, disguised as a boy. It all works out only after Proteus is shamed into seeing he loved Julia all along.

    ▸SCENE I. Verona. An open place.▸SCENE II. The same. Garden of JULIA's house.▸SCENE III. The same. ANTONIO's house.

    ▸SCENE I. Milan. The DUKE's palace.▸SCENE II. Verona. JULIA'S house.▸SCENE III. The same. A street.▸SCENE IV. Milan. The DUKE's palace.▸SCENE V. The same. A street.▸SCENE VI. The same. The DUKE'S palace.▸SCENE VII. Verona. JULIA'S house.

    ▸SCENE I. Milan. The DUKE's palace.▸SCENE II. The same. The DUKE's palace.

    ▸SCENE I. The frontiers of Mantua. A forest.▸SCENE II. Milan. Outside the DUKE's palace, under SILVIA's chamber.▸SCENE III. The same.▸SCENE IV. The same.

    ▸SCENE I. Milan. An abbey.▸SCENE II. The same. The DUKE's palace.▸SCENE III. The frontiers of Mantua. The forest.▸SCENE IV. Another part of the forest.

    Characters

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    ValentineOne of the two gentlemen, loves SilviaProteusThe other gentleman, betrays ValentineJuliaProteus's faithful love, follows him in disguiseSilviaDuke of Milan's daughter, Valentine's love

    Famous Quotes

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    “Who is Silvia? what is she, That all our swains commend her? Holy, fair and wise is she.”

    Proteus — Act 4, Scene 2

    “Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits.”

    Valentine — Act 1, Scene 1

    “Love is your master, for he masters you: And he that is so yoked by a fool, Methinks, should not be chronicled for wise.”

    Valentine — Act 1, Scene 1

    Further Reading

    Best Lines by Shakespeare: Quotes on Life, Love and More

    A curated collection of Shakespeare's most famous lines, organised by theme, from love and loss to daily wisdom, sport and celebration. Each quote includes the play it comes from and why it still resonates.

    Who Was William Shakespeare? A Complete Life and Biography

    The life of Shakespeare: born in Stratford 1564, the Globe, his death in 1616, and the First Folio. The facts, checked.

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