Two Gentlemen of Verona

ACT ONE

Valentine is leaving Milan and wants his best friend Proteus to accompany him. However, Proteus is in love with Julia, and wishes to stay to be close to her. Speed, Valentine’s witty servant, tells Proteus that although he delivered a love letter to Julia, she sent no reply. Speed hastily joins Valentine, while Proteus decides to visit Julia himself.

Little does he know that Julia is curious about the meaning of his letter, and talks with her maid Lucetta about the man who wrote it. Julia pretends to be insulted, but finds herself falling for Proteus. She sends him a letter in reply—but while he is reading it, Proteus’ father Antonio decides that his son must join Valentine in Milan.

ACT TWO

Now in Milan, Valentine is desperately in love with Sylvia, the daughter of the Duke. The previous night, he tells Speed, Sylvia asked him to write a letter to her love. She enters, cleverly flirting with Valentine—after she exits, Speed tells the lovelorn man that Sylvia is actually in