The Two Gentlemen of Verona Literary Elements

Drama; comedy

English

Verona and Milan, Italy

There is no singular narrator in the play.

Ironic, whimsical, redemptive

The central protagonist of the play is Valentine. The central antagonist of the play is Proteus, until he asks for Valentine's forgiveness.

The major conflict in the play is that Proteus has fallen in love with the same woman as Valentine and has resolved to betray both his own lover (Julia) and his best friend in order to win Silvia for himself.

The climax of the play occurs when Proteus threatens to rape Silvia and Silvia is saved by Valentine.

Valentine's speech at the beginning of the play about the dangers of falling in love foreshadow his falling in love with Silvia as soon as he arrives in Milan.

Julia, in disguise as Sebastian, often has to speak with understatement in order to keep her identity a secret from Proteus.

The play makes frequent allusions to ancient Greek mythology, specifically the myth of Philomela who was raped by Tereus and transformed into a nightingale.

Important imagery in the play includes the forest, fire, beauty, and sexual violence.

The central paradox of the play is that Proteus is willing to destroy the life of his best friend in order to woo a woman who cares little for him.

The relationship between Launce and his dog, Crab, parallels the romantic relationships in the play ironically, as Crab is an ill-behaved dog to whom Launce remains passionately devoted.

Valentine, while wandering in the woods, personifies the nightingale as a companion in his sorrow.

The play is known for its notable lack of dramatic devices, and has often been criticized for poorly executed dialogue among its small cast. This has led many to believe that it was likely the first play Shakespeare ever wrote for the stage.