Are the farcical interest and the character interest carried on too far not to be seen to be inconsistent interests? Or is the secret of the Art of the Play the reconciliation and harmony of the farcical and the serious? THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA The unusual in this Comedy is due to its reflection of the ideals and manners of Chivalry in Love and Friendship as loyally professed by Valentine and Silvia and outraged by Protheus. The plot is extremely simple and is carried on by means of causing its main characters successively to dominate in their influence upon the action. ACT I VALENTINE VERSUS PROTHEUS AND JULIA Valentine's reasons for travel and those of Protheus for staying at home separate the two friends. Compare Valentine's preference of Honor, and that of Protheus for Love, with the opening of "Love's Labour's Lost" and "Much Adoe." Show how the rest of the action, after the separation of the friends to suit this double thesis of life, depends upon illustrating the effect of Protheus's love upon Julia's fortunes, and of Valentine's quest of honor upon the fortunes of Protheus. Notice how it happens that his own deception has a direct influence upon his father, so that his departure to join Valentine is as much due to his own lack of firmness in his desire to stay on Julia's account, as to Valentine's initiative in going. QUERIES FOR DISCUSSION Is Valentine's or Protheus's the more influential character upon the course of events thus far? ACT II VALENTINE AND SILVIA Tell the story of this Act. Explain the courtship scene with which this Act opens as illustrating the service of love in systems of Chivalry. (For hints on this see Introduction to the Play in "First Folio Edition" also Note on II, i, 97). Contrast the earnestness of Valentine's nature in this devotion to Silvia with the fickleness of Protheus. The two servants, Speed and Launce, may be compared, their contrasts to each other shown, and their general resemblance to a similarly contrasted pair--the two Dromios in the "Comedie of Errors." QUERIES FOR DISCUSSION Is the love of Protheus for Silvia a reflex influence from Valentine's extreme enthusiasm? Why does Lucetta distrust Protheus? ACT III THE FALSE FRIEND What effect has the arrival of Protheus at the Milanese Court? How does the new-comer manage to dominate this Act? Point out the skill of Protheus in making his disclosure to the Duke seem to be reluctantly wrung from him against the friendship he feels for Valentine and only because of a sense of duty toward the Duke. What does this delicacy accomplish toward his own courtship of Silvia? If he had seemed eager to tell his friend's secrets would not the Duke distrust him and suspect some self-interest on his part? What did his mention of Thurio's suit do for himself?