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The Two Gentlemen of Verona · Chapter

Scene V explained

Speed and Launce meet in Milan and engage in a comedic exchange about Launce's journey, the relationship between Proteus and Julia, and Valentine's newfound love.

What happens

Speed and Launce meet in Milan and engage in a comedic exchange about Launce's journey, the relationship between Proteus and Julia, and Valentine's newfound love. Launce uses wordplay and parables to avoid giving straight answers, and they eventually agree to go to an alehouse together.

Characters to notice

  • Launce

    Arrives in Milan and engages in witty banter with Speed, using wordplay and parables to discuss Proteus and Julia's relationship.

  • Speed

    Greets Launce in Milan and tries to get information about Proteus and Julia, eventually learning that Valentine has become a notable lover.

Key passages

  • “Marry, after they closed in earnest, they parted very fairly in jest.”

    After they embraced seriously, they parted playfully.

    Launce describes Proteus and Julia's farewell as affectionate but lighthearted.

  • “Ask my dog: if he say ay, it will; if he say no, it will; if he shake his tail and say nothing, it will.”

    Ask my dog: regardless of his response, the match will happen.

    Launce uses a parable to imply that the marriage between Proteus and Julia is inevitable.

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