Valentine

Play

The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Summary

Valentine is the faithful gentleman of the play's title, who travels to Milan to gain worldly experience, falls genuinely in love with Silvia, and is banished by her father the Duke after Proteus betrays his elopement plan. Exiled to the forest, he becomes leader of a band of outlaws. His instant forgiveness of Proteus's treachery — and his controversial offer to surrender Silvia to his friend — reflects the Renaissance idealization of male friendship that modern audiences find troubling.

Notable Quotations

"She is my essence, and I leave to be / If I be not by her fair influence / Fostered, illumined, cherished, kept alive." *(3.1)*

"And, that my love may appear plain and free, / All that was mine in Silvia I give thee." *(5.4)*

Cross-references

• The Two Gentlemen of Verona — the play
• Comedies
• character_proteus — his best friend and betrayer
• character_silvia — his beloved
• character_duke_milan — who banishes him
• character_speed_2gv — his witty page