Silvia

Play

The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Summary

Silvia is the Duke of Milan's daughter, Valentine's beloved and the object of competing desires from her father's chosen suitor Thurio, Proteus, and Valentine himself. She is witty, perceptive, and morally clear-sighted — she rebuffs Proteus firmly, shows compassion to the disguised Julia, and attempts to elope with Valentine before being captured. Her famous song "Who is Silvia?" is sung in her honour by the man pursuing her against her wishes.

Notable Quotations

"Thou subtle, perjured, false, disloyal man, / Thinkest thou I am so shallow, so conceitless, / To be seduced by thy flattery?" *(4.2)*

Cross-references

• The Two Gentlemen of Verona — the play
• Comedies
• character_valentine — her true love
• character_proteus — who pursues her treacherously
• character_duke_milan — her father
• character_julia — who shows compassion to her rival