Speed

Play

The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Summary

Speed is Valentine's quick-witted page, whose name reflects his sharp tongue and rapid-fire wordplay. He serves as a comic counterpoint to the romantic idealism of the main plot, deflating sentiment with puns, misunderstandings, and sardonic observations. Though he appears less prominently than Lance, his verbal duels — particularly with Lance and his teasing of Valentine about Silvia — display early Shakespearean facility with comic servant dialogue.

Notable Quotations

"O excellent device! Was there ever heard a better, / That my master, being scribe, to himself should write the letter?" *(2.1)*

Cross-references

• The Two Gentlemen of Verona — the play
• Comedies
• character_valentine — his master
• character_lance — fellow servant, sparring partner