The Two Gentlemen of Verona Read Online Free PDF Page A

Proteus guesses that Silvia is his “idol” and Valentine starts to praise her. Proteus, however, claims that his own beloved Julia is superior and the two vie with each other over thequalities of their respective ladies. Valentine tells Proteus that Silvia returns his love but unfortunately her father favors Turio as a suitor because of his great wealth. He then confides that they plan to elope that night. He is to climb to her bedroom window using a rope ladder down which they will escape. He asks Proteus to go with him to advise him. Proteus says he’ll be along soon. Once alone he confesses that he’s now fallen in love with Silvia. He will try to overcome his “erring love” but if he can’t, he’ll do everything possible to achieve her.
ACT 2 SCENE 5
    Speed welcomes Lance to Padua—most likely to confuse the slower-witted Lance. The two hold a comic dialogue in which Speed tries to ascertain whether Proteus and Julia are to be married. Lance won’t answer directly but says that his dog will answer for him. Speed says that his master is now become a “notable lover” too. The pair continue their comedy routine as they set off for the alehouse.
ACT 2 SCENE 6
    A lengthy soliloquy in which Proteus debates whether or not to pursue Silvia. He justifies himself, arguing that if he does he will lose Valentine and Julia, but if he doesn’t he will lose himself and, since he loves himself more than his friend, he resolves to “forget that Julia is alive,” consider Valentine “an enemy,” and pursue his love for Silvia. He decides, therefore, to betray Valentine’s plan to elope with her to the Duke so that Valentine will be banished. He will then think of some way to thwart the dull-witted Turio, her father’s preferred suitor, calling on “Love” to lend him “wings” to enable him to carry out his schemes swiftly.
ACT 2 SCENE 7
    Lines 1–38: Back in Verona Julia asks for Lucetta’s help with her plan to go to Proteus in Milan. Lucetta argues that it’s a long, hardjourney but Julia says it won’t be with “Love’s wings” to help her reach one so perfect as Proteus. Lucetta advises that it’s better to wait for him to return, but Julia claims she’ll starve to death without seeing him and that Lucetta might as well try to make a fire from snow as put out “the fire of love with words.” Lucetta objects that she isn’t trying to put out her “love’s hot fire,” just to keep it within the “bounds of reason,” but Julia says that’s impossible, she’ll never rest until she finds her love.
    Lines 39–90: Lucetta then turns to practical matters, asking her what she’s going to wear. Julia says she’ll disguise herself as a young man to avoid attracting unwelcome sexual attention. Lucetta tells her she should cut her hair, but Julia decides she’ll tie it up. They discuss trousers and whether Julia needs a “codpiece.” Julia is impatient over these details, although Lucetta gets great comedy mileage out of them. Julia then considers how scandalous her actions are and Lucetta advises her to stay at home, but Julia is determined. Lucetta says it doesn’t matter as long as Proteus is pleased to see her, but she doubts that he will be. Julia, however, assures her that is the least of her “fear.” His many oaths and tears are guarantees of his love. Lucetta points out that false men use these, but Julia defends Proteus. Lucetta says she hopes Julia’s proved right when she finds him. Julia begs her not to think harshly of Proteus and to help her prepare for her journey and she’ll leave everything behind in Lucetta’s hands.
ACT 3 SCENE 1
    Lines 1–50: Proteus tells the Duke of Valentine’s plans to elope with Silvia that night, claiming that his actions are inspired by gratitude and his sense of duty. The Duke thanks him for his “honest care” and says that he has noticed that Valentine loves Silvia and now locks her in a high tower at night, keeping the key himself. Proteus