Two Gentlemen of Verona is a romantic comedy generally assumed to be the first play written by William Shakespeare. It was likely written between 1587 and 1593, though the exact date of composition is unknown. The play describes the fallout that ensues when two young men (one of whom is engaged) fall in love with the same woman. Important themes in the play include The Restrictions of Courtly Love for Women, The Fickle Nature of Young Love, and The Importance of Loyalty Between Men.

This summary is based on the edition of the play found in The New Oxford Shakespeare Complete Works (2017).

Content Warning: The play features depictions of sexual assault and outdated racist stereotypes.

Plot Summary

A young gentleman named Valentine prepares to leave Verona to seek his fortunes in Milan. His best friend Proteus chooses to stay in Verona and pursue his love for a woman named Julia. Valentine’s servant Speed delivers a love letter from Proteus to Julia, who receives it coldly. Meanwhile, Julia discusses her many suitors with her maid, Lucetta, who criticizes all except Proteus. It is revealed that Lucetta, not Julia, took the letter from Speed. Julia pretends to be scandalized and rips up the letter, but immediately regrets giving in to her temper. She kisses the torn pieces bearing Proteus’s name.

Proteus’s father, Antonio, talks to his servant, Panthino, about Proteus’s reputation. Panthino worries that Proteus is trailing behind his peers, having remained at home while other men his age traveled for work or study. Antonio admits that his son cannot be a perfect man without traveling, and agrees to send him to Milan. Proteus laments leaving Julia, who has professed her love for him in a letter.

In Milan, Valentine has fallen in love with Silvia, the daughter of the Duke. Because Silvia cannot openly profess her love, she has Valentine write a letter on her behalf to an anonymous lover then “deliver” it to himself. Back in Verona, Proteus and Julia privately exchange rings and vows. Julia departs without speaking, and Proteus leaves for Milan. His servant Lance also prepares to leave, though he is deeply wounded by the fact that his dog Crab didn’t cry when he heard the news.

Proteus arrives in Milan, where he is warmly greeted by the Duke and Silvia, who have heard about his many virtues from Valentine. Valentine tells Proteus that he is in love and plans to marry Silvia, and apologizes for teasing him. When Proteus is alone, he reveals that he is also in love with Silvia, and losing his affection for Valentine as a result. Speed and Lance privately discuss their “master’s” love lives, then go drinking together. In a soliloquy, Proteus acknowledges that his love for Silvia is leading him to betray both his lover and his best friend. He decides to tell Silvia’s father about her plan to elope with Valentine. Back in Verona, Julia decides to dress like a boy and travel to Milan to be reunited with Proteus.

Proteus tells the Duke about Valentine and Silvia’s plans to elope, promising that he is acting out of love for the Duke and not hatred for his romantic rival. To test Proteus’s word, the Duke asks Valentine for advice about seducing a woman who is promised to another man and locked in a tower. Valentine accidentally reveals his plan to steal Silvia, and the Duke banishes him from Milan under penalty of death. Proteus offers to be the mediator for letters between Valentine and Silvia. Meanwhile, the Duke struggles to convince Thurio, a favored member of his court, that Silvia will eventually accept him. The Duke asks Proteus to help Silvia get over Valentine by telling her he is a liar, a coward, and not of noble birth. After a brief hesitation, Proteus agrees, saying she will believe these lies if they come from him. Proteus tells Thurio to write elaborate love poems to Silvia then sing them under her window in order to seduce her.

Outside of Milan’s gates, Valentine encounters a group of outlaws who elect him as their King after he claims he was exiled for murder. Many of the outlaws are former gentleman who have been banished for crimes of passion, such as stealing women away from their homes. Back in Milan, Julia, disguised as a pageboy, watches as Proteus attempts to seduce Silvia by singing under her window. Although Silvia insults and rejects him, Julia is heartbroken by the betrayal. Silvia enlists her friend Sir Eglamour, an old widowed knight, to help her travel safely to Mantua to meet Valentine. She appeals to his sense of romance, calling the proposed marriage to Thurio an unholy union. Proteus sends Julia, disguised as a pageboy and using the name Sebastian, to Silvia with a gift: the ring that Julia gave him when he left Verona. Heartbroken, Julia determines to do as he asks and try to dissuade Silvia from accepting. Silvia immediately rejects the ring, knowing it belongs to Julia, and expressing pity for her. As Sebastian, Julia thanks Silvia for her pity, saying the woman still loves Proteus.

With Sir Eglamour’s help, Silvia escapes Milan. Proteus lies to Thurio about Silvia’s feelings, saying that she is warming to him. When the Duke learns of Silvia’s escape, he orders Thurio, Proteus, and Julia (as Sebastian) to help him find her. Thurio reluctantly agrees, calling Silvia’s behavior peevish. Proteus follows for his love of Silvia, and Julia follows for her love of Proteus.

Silvia is captured by the outlaws, who take her to their leader, promising he will not assault her. However, the outlaws are themselves captured by Proteus and Julia, who rescue Silvia against her will. Silvia continues to reject Proteus’s advances, claiming she’d rather die than be with him. As Valentine watches from the shadows, Proteus threatens to assault Silvia and take her love by force. Valentine stops the assault, and Proteus immediately apologizes for his behavior. Valentine forgives Proteus, saying that he loves Proteus as much as he loves Silvia. Julia faints, revealing her true identity. She criticizes Proteus’s fickle nature, and he apologizes again. The outlaws enter with the Duke and Thurio. Thurio claims ownership over Silvia. When Valentine threatens to kill him, Thurio backs off. Disgusted by Thurio’s cowardice and impressed by Valentine’s bravery, the Duke agrees to let Silvia marry Valentine. He also agrees to let the outlaws reenter society. A double wedding is organized for Valentine and Silvia and Proteus and Julia.