Act 1

Scene 1

Valentine tells Proteus that he needs to leave Verona for Milan to experience the world, and hints that Proteus's all-consuming love for Julia will limit him. Speed tells Proteus that he delivered Proteus's letter to Julia, but she responded coldly, and a worried Proteus sends Speed after Valentine.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Act 1: Scene 1.

Scene 2

Julia's maid Lucetta counsels her about falling in love and thinks Proteus is Julia's best suitor, then admits she accepted the letter Speed delivered.

Scene 3

Antonio decides to send Proteus to the emperor's court in Milan, and finds him reading a letter that Proteus says is from Valentine. But it is actually from Julia saying that she wants to marry him.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Act 1: Scenes 2 & 3.

Act 2

Scene 1

Upon finding Silvia's glove, Speed points out Valentine's obvious lovesickness for her. Silvia coldly returns a love letter she asked Valentine to write for a "friend;" he didn't realize she actually wanted his letter to be for herself.

Scene 2

Proteus and Julia say goodbye and exchange rings as he leaves for Milan.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Act 2: Scenes 1 & 2.

Scene 3

Lance drags along his dog Crab and reenacts his farewell scene with his family as he left for Milan, using his shoes and clothes as characters.

Scene 4

Proteus arrives in Milan, and Valentine confesses he is in love with Silvia and that they plan to elope that night. Proteus realizes he is also in love with Silvia and forgets Julia, hinting that now he cannot love Valentine.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Act 2: Scenes 3 & 4.

Scene 5

Speed and Lance speak in puns about their masters Valentine and Proteus, and Lance will not reveal whether Proteus and Julia are really engaged.

Scene 6

Proteus decides to take Silvia from Valentine by telling her father the Duke about their plans to elope, which will prompt him to banish Valentine, and then Proteus will trick her suitor Thurio.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Act 2: Scenes 5 & 6.

Scene 7

Against Lucetta's advice, Julia plans to disguise herself as a boy and travel to Milan to visit Proteus.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Act 2: Scene 7.

Act 3

Scene 1

On the way to Mantua, outlaws attack Valentine and Speed, but Valentine impresses them with his woes, and becomes their leader under threat of death.

Scene 2

After the musicians play for Silvia, Proteus shoos away Thurio and starts trying to woo Silvia himself, even saying Julia is dead, but she sees through him and rejects him. He doesn't know that Julia has arrived disguised as Sebastian, and has witnessed the whole thing.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Act 3: Scenes 1 & 2.

Act 4

Scene 1

Holden leaves the skating rink, has a sandwich, and unsuccessfully calls Jane again. To kill time before meeting with Carl Luce, Holden goes to see a movie about the war, in which he decides that he would rather be killed than be in the military. After Holden’s meeting with Luce goes awry, he goes to Central Park and then decides to go back home and talk to Phoebe.

Scene 2

Holden leaves the skating rink, has a sandwich, and unsuccessfully calls Jane again. To kill time before meeting with Carl Luce, Holden goes to see a movie about the war, in which he decides that he would rather be killed than be in the military. After Holden’s meeting with Luce goes awry, he goes to Central Park and then decides to go back home and talk to Phoebe.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Act 4: Scenes 1 & 2.

Scene 3

Silvia asks Eglamour to go with her to Mantua to reunite with Valentine.

Scene 4

Proteus meets Julia disguised as Sebastian and asks "him" to give Julia's ring to Silvia, and Silvia expresses sympathy for Julia and her dislike for Proteus.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Act 4: Scenes 3 & 4.

Act 5

Scene 1

Silvia meets Eglamour at Friar Patrick's chambers.

Scene 2

While Thurio questions Proteus about Silvia's love for him, the Duke announces she has run away with Eglamour to find Valentine, so they all (including Julia) depart to look for them.

Scene 3

The outlaws capture Silvia, but Eglamour runs away.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Act 5: Scenes 1–3.

Scene 4

The group goes to save Silvia from the outlaws, but Proteus gets angry when she still rejects him, spurring Valentine to leap out and save her, and afterward Valentine forgives Proteus. Julia reveals herself, and Proteus decides to marry her instead, while Thurio decides he doesn't want Silvia after all.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Act 5: Scene 4.

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