Two Gentlemen of Verona Reading Questions (Norton)

English 304: Shakespeare: Major Plays (Prof. Boyer)

Reading Questions for The Two Gentlemen of Verona
Keyed to The Norton Shakespeare

The best beginning procedure is always to familiarize yourself with the cast of characters and then to read the play (or at least an act or a scene) all the way through so that you know what's happening. The notes can help if you're stuck, but try to get the big picture of a scene before getting bogged down in details. Read through, then go back and clear up details. Then you're ready to think about the questions.
Act 1
Act 2
Act 3
Act 4
Act 5
Return to list of English 304 reading questions
ACT 1

1.1

1.

What is happening to Valentine and Proteus as the play begins? What is the nature of their relationship? What do we learn about Proteus's current interests? Where is Valentine going?

2.

Note how Proteus describes his "metamorphosis" or transformation to himself in 1.1.63-69. Who is he in love with?

3.

Amidst all of the puns and language play in the scene between Proteus and Speed (1.1.70-135), what is the actual issue that is being discussed? How well does Proteus seem to be doing with Julia?

4.

What do you think of Proteus and Valentine at this point?

1.2

1.

Given the opening of the scene (1.2.1-33), how well is Proteus doing with Julia?

2.

How does Julia respond to Proteus's letter? Did Speed actually deliver it to her? What do we learn from Julia's soliloquy (1.2.50-65)?

3.

What does Julia do with the letter when Lucetta returns? What is her reaction once she has done that, especially in her second soliloquy (1.2.105-130).

4.

What do you think of Julia based on this scene?

1.3

1.

What new adventure awaits Proteus? How pleased is he about it? What is his response to his situation in his soliloquy (1.3.78-87)?

2.

As the scene ends, what do you think of Proteus at this point? Of Julia?

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ACT 2

2.1

1.

Amidst all the wordplay, what do we learn from the conversation between Valentine and Speed?

2.

What trick did Silvia play on Valentine? Does Speed get the trick? Does Valentine?

2.2

1.

Rings exchanged and oaths sworn--what does this sound like? See note 1.

2.3

1.

Welcome to the first of several standup comedy scenes with Lance (usually "Launce") and his dog Crab. What does Lance think of Crab? What does Lance really think of Crab?

2.

Notice the traditional language of Petrarchan love poetry in 2.3.47-49. What is the effect of having it here, especially coming right after lines 42-45?

2.4

1.

How are things going in the contest between Thurio and Valentine for Silvia's love?

2.

What surprise does the Duke have for Valentine? What does Valentine say about Proteus?

3.

How do things go between Valentine and Proteus now that Valentine has to admit that he is now in love?

4.

What does Proteus say in his soliloquy (2.4.185-207)? What complications are likely to develop in the rest of the play?

2.5

What's the sign of a good welcome, according to Lance. Does he get one?

2.6

1.

How does Proteus feel about his change of love? What does he intend to do to hinder Valentine's love? (And what do you think of Valentine's plan, anyway?)

2.

Do you agree with line 11? (There's an interesting parallel in Hamlet.)

3.

What do you think of line 23?

2.7

1.

What is Julia planning to do? What disguise will she wear? What does she expect to find when she gets to Milan?

2.

What do we know she will find when she gets to Milan? Here is an excellent example of dramatic irony, which occurs when the audience knows something important that the character does not know.

3.

At the end of two acts, what do you think of the four lovers: Valentine, Proteus, Silvia, and Julia. How do you think the plot might work itself out?

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ACT 3

3.1

1.

What does Proteus tell the Duke? How has the Duke tried to keep Valentine and Silvia apart (3.1.35-37)? Does this remind you of a fairy tale, perhaps? How has Valentine planned to overcome this problem?

2.

How does the Duke trick Valentine into revealing the rope ladder? Be sure to note the steps of the trick.

3.

What happens to Valentine as a result?

4.

Note the comparison to Phaeton (3.1.153-156). Read the note; what is the Duke really saying to Valentine?

5.

How does Valentine respond in his soliloquy (3.1.170-187)? How well does this passage work as poetry? Have you heard it before? (You have if you have seen Shakespeare in Love.)

6.

What news and advice does Proteus have for Valentine? Will Valentine's letters really be delivered to Silvia as Proteus promises (3.1.247-248)?

7.

What do you think of Valentine and Proteus at this point? How do you imagine this might work itself out in the rest of the play?

8.

How is the scene between Lance and Speed a commentary on the play's love plots?

3.2

1.

What does Proteus suggest that Thurio must do to win Silvia's love? What will Proteus's role in this process be? Do you see any problems with this as a means of bringing Silvia to love Thurio?

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ACT 4

4.1

1.

What happens when the outlaws capture Valentine? Who are these outlaws and why are they living in the forest? What other forest-living outlaws are mentioned in the scene?

2.

What qualities does it seem to take to be an outlaw king? Why does Valentine accept their offer?

4.2

1.

How effective has Proteus's wooing of Silvia been? Will he give it up?

2.

Who shows up at line 25 to hear the music. How is this going to work? (And here is the first of Shakespeare's cross-dressed young women, a device he will use often in comedy.)

3.

Note the various bits of overhearing in the scene, allowing for multiple centers of interest on the stage and for interesting verbal echoes and interactions between otherwise separate groups or individuals.

4.

Have you heard the song "Who is Silvia?"? There is a famous early nineteenth century setting of it by Franz Schubert.

5.

How does Julia respond to the music?

6.

Where is Lance? (See 4.2.72-74.)

7.

How does Silvia respond to Proteus's wooing? What lies does Proteus tell her? What does he ask her to give him?

8.

What do you think of Silvia at this point? Of Proteus? Of Julia? How do you think this will work out?

4.3

1.

What is Silvia's plan and why does she need Sir Eglamour's help. Will she get it?

4.4

1.

What happened when Lance delivered Crab to Silvia? Has anyone else in the play shown as much care for another person as Lance shows for Crab? What sort of commentary are we getting here? Take the time to enjoy this wonderful bit of standup comedy.

2.

Who is Sebastian (4.4.34) and what is Proteus asking "him" to do?

3.

Was Lance supposed to give Crab to Silvia? What happened?

4.

What does Proteus give to "Sebastian" to be delivered to Silvia? How does Julia respond, both as Sebastian and, in her soliloquy, as Julia?

5.

What happens between the two women when they meet? Why does "Sebastian" claim to know Julia's height? How did Julia respond to "Sebastian's" acting? How does Silvia respond to "Sebastian's" telling of the story?

6.

Pay attention to the story of Ariadne, the character "Sebastian" portrayed. You might want to look a little farther than the note (but not much farther--only back to p. 81).

7.

How does Julia, in her soliloquy, say she will treat Silvia? Why?

8.

Read Julia's soliloquy carefully (4.4.171-197) and consider the effect of her playing to the picture of Silvia, in part as a prop, and in part as an object that Proteus will worship instead of her.

9.

Would you agree that the tone of the play has shifted a bit in this scene? Think about what has happened between the two women (one disguised as a man). How did you feel reading it? How much does the poetry contribute to this?

10.

At the end of four acts, what do you think of Silvia? Of Julia? Of Valentine and Proteus? Which of these are the stronger and more mature, the men or the women? Welcome to Shakespearean comedy!

11.

How do you think all of this will work out? This is a comedy, after all.

top

ACT 5

5.1

1.

Does Silvia come on time to meet Sir Eglamour?

5.2

1.

Another scene of aside comments. How does what Julia says undercut the conversation between Proteus and Thurio?

2.

What does the Duke tell them? What will they all do?

5.3

1.

And so we've got 170 lines to clear all this up!

2.

How does Valentine like his job and his new home? Pay attention to the mention of the nightingale (5.3.5) and the story it represents. (See the note and p. 82.) This is another reference to a tale of violence against women. Here's a reminder of what could happen to the women in the forest (and almost does to Silvia). Forests are dangerous but also magical places in Shakespearean comedy (see the mention of the "green world" on p. 77, and in general note the value of reading the introduction after you have read the play). If you know A Midsummer Night's Dream, consider the similar way the forest functions in that play. We'll see a very different version of the threatening forest in Titus Andronicus.

3.

What does Valentine learn when he (of course!) overhears Proteus and Silvia. How is Silvia treating Proteus.

4.

What happens in lines 55-59? Is this something unexpected in Proteus, or should we have seen it coming?

5.

Once Valentine stops the attempted rape, things move pretty quickly. What happens between Valentine and Proteus (5.3.60-83)? What does Valentine offer to prove his true friendship for Proteus? Who responds first, and how?

6.

Finally "Sebastian" delivers the ring. Why does she do this now? After all, remember what happened when she tried to deliver the ring to Silvia at 4.4.124. But what happens this time when "Sebastian" tries to deliver the ring Proteus gave her? Is this really a mistake? (Remember the wrong letters at 4.4.115. How does Proteus respond to the appearance of the first ring Julia gives in this scene? What happens when Proteus discovers that "Sebastian" is really Julia? How does Valentine resolve their situation?

7.

What happens when the Duke and Thurio are brought in as prisoners? How does the Duke respond to Thurio? To Valentine? What does he do for the outlaws? How many marriages will there be?

8.

Now that we have reached the end, what do you think of Silvia, Julia, Valentine, and Proteus? Can these marriages work?

top

1.1
1.	What is happening to Valentine and Proteus as the play begins? What is the nature of their relationship? What do we learn about Proteus's current interests? Where is Valentine going?
2.	Note how Proteus describes his "metamorphosis" or transformation to himself in 1.1.63-69. Who is he in love with?
3.	Amidst all of the puns and language play in the scene between Proteus and Speed (1.1.70-135), what is the actual issue that is being discussed? How well does Proteus seem to be doing with Julia?
4.	What do you think of Proteus and Valentine at this point?

1.2
1.	Given the opening of the scene (1.2.1-33), how well is Proteus doing with Julia?
2.	How does Julia respond to Proteus's letter? Did Speed actually deliver it to her? What do we learn from Julia's soliloquy (1.2.50-65)?
3.	What does Julia do with the letter when Lucetta returns? What is her reaction once she has done that, especially in her second soliloquy (1.2.105-130).
4.	What do you think of Julia based on this scene?

1.3
1.	What new adventure awaits Proteus? How pleased is he about it? What is his response to his situation in his soliloquy (1.3.78-87)?
2.	As the scene ends, what do you think of Proteus at this point? Of Julia?

2.1
1.	Amidst all the wordplay, what do we learn from the conversation between Valentine and Speed?
2.	What trick did Silvia play on Valentine? Does Speed get the trick? Does Valentine?

2.2
1.	Rings exchanged and oaths sworn--what does this sound like? See note 1.

2.3
1.	Welcome to the first of several standup comedy scenes with Lance (usually "Launce") and his dog Crab. What does Lance think of Crab? What does Lance really think of Crab?
2.	Notice the traditional language of Petrarchan love poetry in 2.3.47-49. What is the effect of having it here, especially coming right after lines 42-45?

2.4
1.	How are things going in the contest between Thurio and Valentine for Silvia's love?
2.	What surprise does the Duke have for Valentine? What does Valentine say about Proteus?
3.	How do things go between Valentine and Proteus now that Valentine has to admit that he is now in love?
4.	What does Proteus say in his soliloquy (2.4.185-207)? What complications are likely to develop in the rest of the play?

2.5	What's the sign of a good welcome, according to Lance. Does he get one?

2.6
1.	How does Proteus feel about his change of love? What does he intend to do to hinder Valentine's love? (And what do you think of Valentine's plan, anyway?)
2.	Do you agree with line 11? (There's an interesting parallel in Hamlet.)
3.	What do you think of line 23?

2.7
1.	What is Julia planning to do? What disguise will she wear? What does she expect to find when she gets to Milan?
2.	What do we know she will find when she gets to Milan? Here is an excellent example of dramatic irony, which occurs when the audience knows something important that the character does not know.
3.	At the end of two acts, what do you think of the four lovers: Valentine, Proteus, Silvia, and Julia. How do you think the plot might work itself out?

3.1
1.	What does Proteus tell the Duke? How has the Duke tried to keep Valentine and Silvia apart (3.1.35-37)? Does this remind you of a fairy tale, perhaps? How has Valentine planned to overcome this problem?
2.	How does the Duke trick Valentine into revealing the rope ladder? Be sure to note the steps of the trick.
3.	What happens to Valentine as a result?
4.	Note the comparison to Phaeton (3.1.153-156). Read the note; what is the Duke really saying to Valentine?
5.	How does Valentine respond in his soliloquy (3.1.170-187)? How well does this passage work as poetry? Have you heard it before? (You have if you have seen Shakespeare in Love.)
6.	What news and advice does Proteus have for Valentine? Will Valentine's letters really be delivered to Silvia as Proteus promises (3.1.247-248)?
7.	What do you think of Valentine and Proteus at this point? How do you imagine this might work itself out in the rest of the play?
8.	How is the scene between Lance and Speed a commentary on the play's love plots?

3.2
1.	What does Proteus suggest that Thurio must do to win Silvia's love? What will Proteus's role in this process be? Do you see any problems with this as a means of bringing Silvia to love Thurio?

4.1
1.	What happens when the outlaws capture Valentine? Who are these outlaws and why are they living in the forest? What other forest-living outlaws are mentioned in the scene?
2.	What qualities does it seem to take to be an outlaw king? Why does Valentine accept their offer?

4.2
1.	How effective has Proteus's wooing of Silvia been? Will he give it up?
2.	Who shows up at line 25 to hear the music. How is this going to work? (And here is the first of Shakespeare's cross-dressed young women, a device he will use often in comedy.)
3.	Note the various bits of overhearing in the scene, allowing for multiple centers of interest on the stage and for interesting verbal echoes and interactions between otherwise separate groups or individuals.
4.	Have you heard the song "Who is Silvia?"? There is a famous early nineteenth century setting of it by Franz Schubert.
5.	How does Julia respond to the music?
6.	Where is Lance? (See 4.2.72-74.)
7.	How does Silvia respond to Proteus's wooing? What lies does Proteus tell her? What does he ask her to give him?
8.	What do you think of Silvia at this point? Of Proteus? Of Julia? How do you think this will work out?

4.3
1.	What is Silvia's plan and why does she need Sir Eglamour's help. Will she get it?

4.4
1.	What happened when Lance delivered Crab to Silvia? Has anyone else in the play shown as much care for another person as Lance shows for Crab? What sort of commentary are we getting here? Take the time to enjoy this wonderful bit of standup comedy.
2.	Who is Sebastian (4.4.34) and what is Proteus asking "him" to do?
3.	Was Lance supposed to give Crab to Silvia? What happened?
4.	What does Proteus give to "Sebastian" to be delivered to Silvia? How does Julia respond, both as Sebastian and, in her soliloquy, as Julia?
5.	What happens between the two women when they meet? Why does "Sebastian" claim to know Julia's height? How did Julia respond to "Sebastian's" acting? How does Silvia respond to "Sebastian's" telling of the story?
6.	Pay attention to the story of Ariadne, the character "Sebastian" portrayed. You might want to look a little farther than the note (but not much farther--only back to p. 81).
7.	How does Julia, in her soliloquy, say she will treat Silvia? Why?
8.	Read Julia's soliloquy carefully (4.4.171-197) and consider the effect of her playing to the picture of Silvia, in part as a prop, and in part as an object that Proteus will worship instead of her.
9.	Would you agree that the tone of the play has shifted a bit in this scene? Think about what has happened between the two women (one disguised as a man). How did you feel reading it? How much does the poetry contribute to this?
10.	At the end of four acts, what do you think of Silvia? Of Julia? Of Valentine and Proteus? Which of these are the stronger and more mature, the men or the women? Welcome to Shakespearean comedy!
11.	How do you think all of this will work out? This is a comedy, after all.

5.1
1.	Does Silvia come on time to meet Sir Eglamour?

5.2
1.	Another scene of aside comments. How does what Julia says undercut the conversation between Proteus and Thurio?
2.	What does the Duke tell them? What will they all do?

5.3
1.	And so we've got 170 lines to clear all this up!
2.	How does Valentine like his job and his new home? Pay attention to the mention of the nightingale (5.3.5) and the story it represents. (See the note and p. 82.) This is another reference to a tale of violence against women. Here's a reminder of what could happen to the women in the forest (and almost does to Silvia). Forests are dangerous but also magical places in Shakespearean comedy (see the mention of the "green world" on p. 77, and in general note the value of reading the introduction after you have read the play). If you know A Midsummer Night's Dream, consider the similar way the forest functions in that play. We'll see a very different version of the threatening forest in Titus Andronicus.
3.	What does Valentine learn when he (of course!) overhears Proteus and Silvia. How is Silvia treating Proteus.
4.	What happens in lines 55-59? Is this something unexpected in Proteus, or should we have seen it coming?
5.	Once Valentine stops the attempted rape, things move pretty quickly. What happens between Valentine and Proteus (5.3.60-83)? What does Valentine offer to prove his true friendship for Proteus? Who responds first, and how?
6.	Finally "Sebastian" delivers the ring. Why does she do this now? After all, remember what happened when she tried to deliver the ring to Silvia at 4.4.124. But what happens this time when "Sebastian" tries to deliver the ring Proteus gave her? Is this really a mistake? (Remember the wrong letters at 4.4.115. How does Proteus respond to the appearance of the first ring Julia gives in this scene? What happens when Proteus discovers that "Sebastian" is really Julia? How does Valentine resolve their situation?
7.	What happens when the Duke and Thurio are brought in as prisoners? How does the Duke respond to Thurio? To Valentine? What does he do for the outlaws? How many marriages will there be?
8.	Now that we have reached the end, what do you think of Silvia, Julia, Valentine, and Proteus? Can these marriages work?