The Two Gentlemen of Verona · Chapter
Scene II explained
Proteus, having betrayed Valentine, now pursues Silvia under the pretense of helping Thurio.
What happens
Proteus, having betrayed Valentine, now pursues Silvia under the pretense of helping Thurio. He serenades her with musicians, but Silvia rebukes him for his disloyalty to Valentine and Julia. Meanwhile, Julia, disguised as a boy, watches the scene with the Host, heartbroken by Proteus's faithlessness. Silvia refuses Proteus's advances but agrees to give him her picture. The scene ends with Julia's sorrowful observation.
Themes in this chapter
Disguise and Deception
Proteus deceives Thurio and Silvia; Julia disguises herself as a boy to spy on Proteus.
Constancy and Inconstancy
Proteus's inconstancy is contrasted with Silvia's steadfastness and Julia's enduring love.
Love as a Transformative Force
Proteus's obsessive love for Silvia drives his betrayal, while Julia's love compels her to follow him in disguise.
Characters to notice
- Proteus
Pursues Silvia despite his betrayal of Valentine and Julia; arranges a serenade and lies about Julia's death.
- Silvia
Rebukes Proteus for his falsehood and disloyalty; remains faithful to Valentine.
- Julia
Disguised as a boy, observes Proteus's courtship of Silvia with grief and irony.
- Thurio
Arranges the serenade with Proteus, unaware of Proteus's true intentions.
- Host
Accompanies Julia (disguised) and comments on the music and Proteus's actions.
Key passages
“Already have I been false to Valentine / And now I must be as unjust to Thurio.”
I have already betrayed Valentine, and now I must also deceive Thurio.
Proteus acknowledges his double betrayal.
“Who is Silvia? what is she, / That all our swains commend her?”
Who is Silvia, that all our young men praise her?
Opening lines of the song praising Silvia's beauty and virtue.
“Thou subtle, perjured, false, disloyal man!”
You cunning, oath-breaking, deceitful, unfaithful man!
Silvia condemns Proteus for his treachery.
“I grant, sweet love, that I did love a lady; / But she is dead.”
I admit, my love, that I once loved a woman, but she is dead.
Proteus lies to Silvia about Julia's death to win her favor.