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Character Analysis in The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Character Analysis Examples in The Two Gentlemen of Verona:

Act I - Act I, Scene 1

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"But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee That art a votary to fond desire?..."   (Act I - Act I, Scene 1)

Valentine and Proteus, the titular gentlemen of Verona, are having a conversation before Valentine leaves for Milan. Proteus has decided to stay because he is madly in love with Julia. In this passage, Valentine makes fun of Proteus, teasing him that his love has made him weak and lightheaded—with "votary" referring to Proteus as a devoted worshipper and "fond" meaning foolish. Ironically, Valentine himself shortly falls prey to a similar kind of passion in Milan.

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"That man that hath a tongue, I say, is no man, If with his tongue he cannot win a woman..."   (Act III - Act III, Scene 1)

Proteus betrayed his friend Valentine and reported Valentine’s intention to run away with the Duke’s daughter Silvia because he is in love with Silvia himself. The Duke of Milan has asked Valentine for advice on how to woo women in an effort to trick Valentine into divulging his own plans for stealing the Duke’s daughter. Valentine falls for the trap here, revealing how one should woo a woman and his plans in the process.

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