Scene II explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Constancy and Inconstancy

  Proteus vows true constancy to Julia with a handshake and a kiss, yet the audience knows his later inconstancy.

• Love as a Transformative Force

  The lovers' exchange of tokens and vows highlights love's power to bind and transform their parting into a sacred promise.

Characters to notice

• Proteus

  Bids farewell to Julia, exchanging rings and a kiss, and promises constancy before being summoned by his father.

• Julia

  Gives Proteus a ring as a remembrance and sorrowfully accepts his departure.

• Panthino

  Enters to summon Proteus, urging him to hurry.

Key passages

• “If you turn not, you will return the sooner.”

  If you remain faithful, you'll come back quickly.

  Julia puns on 'turn' meaning both 'return' and 'be unfaithful'.

• “And seal the bargain with a holy kiss.”

  Let's confirm our agreement with a sacred kiss.

  Julia treats their exchange of rings as a solemn pact sealed with a kiss.

• “Alas! this parting strikes poor lovers dumb.”

  Alas, this separation leaves us speechless.

  Proteus laments that lovers are rendered mute by the pain of parting.