Plot Synopsis
 Proteus and Valentine, two young men of noble Veronese families, have grown up together and have always been the best of friends. While outwardly they are very similar, inwardly this is not the case. Valentine is loyal and true while Proteus is selfish and deceitful. Valentine leaves Verona to seek his fortune in the court of Milan. Proteus is content to stay behind in order to be near his beloved, Julia. However, his ambitious father (knowing nothing of Julia) orders Proteus to follow Valentine to Milan.
Proteus and Julia become secretly engaged and he heads for Milan. When he arrives, he is happily welcomed by his friend Valentine. Valentine introduces him to Silvia, the daughter of the Duke of Milan, with whom Valentine is deeply in love. Silvia and Valentine have also pledged their love in secret, knowing that the Duke will oppose their relationship as he plans to marry Silvia to Thurio, a wealthy courtier.
 The suspicious Duke has moved Silvia’s bedroom to a high tower to which he keeps the only key. Valentine and Silvia plan an elopement through the use of a rope ladder. Unfortunately, the trusting Valentine tells Proteus of the plan. Proteus has decided that he, also, loves Silvia and wants her for himself. He reveals the plot to the Duke who intercepts Valentine and banishes him from Milan.
Proteus convinces the Duke to let him see Silvia in order to woo her for Thurio (who is not particularly bright) when, in fact, he plans to win her for himself. It is about this time that Julia arrives in Milan, disguised as a boy. She manages to make her way to the court and overhears Proteus declaring his love to Silvia, who rejects him completely. Julia gains employment with Proteus. He sends her as a messenger to Silvia ~ to give her a ring ~ the very ring Julia had given Proteus. Silvia rejects the ring, as well and points out that she knows it to be a love-token from Proteus’ former love.
Meanwhile, Valentine has been captured by a band of bumbling outlaws and he casts his lot with them. Silvia hears Valentine is in Mantua and convinces another suitor, Sir Eglamour to help her escape and join Valentine. She is pursued by the Duke, Proteus, Thurio, and Julia (still disguised as a boy). Silvia is captured by the outlaws but rescued by Proteus and Julia. Proteus threatens to force Silvia to yield to him but is prevented by Valentine ~ who has heard everything and confronts his traitorous friend.
 Proteus confesses his guilt and begs forgiveness ~ which Valentine grants. To show his sincerity, Valentine offers to relinquish Silivia to Proteus. Julia faints at this and Proteus discovers his ring on her finger. He realizes his page is Julia and they are reunited. The outlaws bring in the Duke and Thurio and the Duke relents and gives Silvia’s hand to Valentine. The outlaws are pardoned and all ends happily. This charming play also features the wonderfully mischievous clowns Launce (servant to Proteus) and Speed (servant to Valentine) and the misbehaving mutt, Crab. Thought to have been written between 1590 and 1595, the play is grouped with Shakespeare’s early works along with Romeo and Juliet.
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