The Two Gentlemen of Verona tells the story of two devoted friends, Valentine and Proteus.
A young gentleman of Verona, Valentine decides to leave the city and travel to Milan in search of adventure and advancement. His friend Proteus, another young gentleman, stays in Verona to pursue his love for Julia. However, his father decides that he, too, should travel to Milan and forces him to do so – but before leaving Proteus pledges his love to Julia and she pledges herself to him.
In Milan, Valentine and the Duke’s daughter, Sylvia, fall in love, although the Duke has other plans for her – preferring the richer Sir Thurio. Proteus, on arriving in Milan, falls in love with Sylvia at first sight. Abandoning both his love for Julia and his deep friendship with Valentine, Proteus reveals to the Duke that Sylvia and Valentine plan to elope. The Duke is outraged and immediately banishes Valentine, who flees to a nearby forest. Meanwhile Julia, distressed at having no news from Proteus, assumes a male disguise and travels to Milan where Proteus employs her as a page.
The banished Valentine meets outlaws and becomes their leader. Proteus offers love to Sylvia and she rejects him, then in search of Valentine she flees to the forest and is seized by the outlaws. Proteus, accompanied by the disguised Julia, rescues Sylvia but then, when she spurns him, tries to rape her. Valentine stops the rape. He then recognises Proteus, and out of friendship offers to yield Sylvia to him. Julia then reveals her identity and regains Proteus’s love. The Duke arrives in the forest, in pursuit of his daughter, and his consent to the marriage of Valentine and Sylvia provides a resolution.
