Click on any scene below for a side-by-side translation from the original Shakespeare into modern English.
Act 1, Scene 1
The play opens with two BFFs, Valentine and Proteus, in the middle of a long and emotional goodbye. Valentine is taking a gap year to travel, and he wants Proteus to throw some jeans and sneak...
Act 1, Scene 2
Julia is lounging around her garden having a little girl talk with her woman in waiting, Lucetta.The big question? Whether or not Julia should fall in love. And if so, with which one of her dozens...
Act 1, Scene 3
Antonio (Proteus's dad) learns that his brother has been talking smack about him for not sending Proteus to travel abroad like all the other noblemen's sons.He chats with his attendant, Pantino, ab...
Act 2, Scene 1
Back in Milan, Speed helps Valentine put on his gloves and finds a third glove that belongs to Sylvia—the girl with whom Valentine has recently fallen head over heels in love.Speed teases Valenti...
Act 2, Scene 2
Back in Verona, Julia and Proteus say a teary goodbye before Proteus departs on his trip.After Julia begs Proteus to be faithful to her, the couple exchange rings and kiss to seal the deal.Proteus...
Act 2, Scene 3
Lance (Proteus's servant) and Crab (Lance's dog) enter the stage and Lance makes a big speech to the audience about how he must accompany Proteus to the "Emperor's" court in Milan. Lance's ent...
Act 2, Scene 4
At the Duke's court in Milan, Sylvia and Valentine are busy flirting like two "courtly lovers." Meanwhile, a guy named Thurio sneers at the happy twosome.Speed notices that Thurio is jealous, so he...
Act 2, Scene 5
The two servants, Speed and Lance appear on stage with Lance's dog, Crab.
Act 2, Scene 6
Proteus delivers a big speech that basically boils down to him deciding to do what's best for him.He starts by acknowledging that if he leaves Julia and wrongs Valentine by loving Sylvia, then he's...
Act 2, Scene 7
Back in Verona, Julia and Lucetta brainstorm about ways for Julia to travel to Milan without losing her "honour." (Remember, girls weren't allowed to go traipsing around the country like the guys d...
Act 3, Scene 1
In Milan, the Duke sends Thurio out of the room so he can have a private conversation with Proteus.Proteus then tattles on Valentine for planning to elope with the Duke's daughter. What's worse, Pr...
Act 3, Scene 2
The Duke of Milan assures Thurio that Sylvia will love him now that Valentine is out of the way.Thurio whines that Sylvia hates him even more now that the love of her life has been banished.Proteus...
Act 4, Scene 1
Valentine and Speed have fled to a forest between Milan and Mantua, where they encounter a group of outlaws.One of the outlaws says "stick em' up" and Valentine proceeds to explain that he's got no...
Act 4, Scene 2
Proteus stands outside Sylvia's window in the moonlight. He laments that Silvia has been spurning his advances. (Shocker.) She's also been reminding him of his friendship with Valentine and hi...
Act 4, Scene 3
The next morning, Sylvia asks her dear friend, Eglamour, if he'll travel with her to find Valentine. It's too dangerous for Sylvia to travel alone.Eglamour knows a thing or two about love and heart...
Act 4, Scene 4
Lance tells the audience a story about how Crab was caught "a pissing" under the Duke's table and Lance took the blame for it so Crab wouldn't be whipped. (Um...do you think the Duke felt better th...
Act 5, Scene 1
At Friar Patrick's cell, Eglamour patiently waits for Sylvia, who has planned to meet him there.Sylvia rushes in and says they need to hurry because she's afraid spies have been following her.They...
Act 5, Scene 2
At the Duke's court in Milan, Thurio asks Proteus to tell him what Sylvia thinks of him. Proteus answers him with what sounds like praise, but could be interpreted in less than favorable terms...wh...
Act 5, Scene 3
In the forest, the three outlaws have captured Sylvia and plan to take her to their leader (that would be Valentine).The Third Outlaw says something like, "Don't worry, our leader isn't going to as...
Act 5, Scene 4
In another part of the forest, Valentine is alone and contemplates the perks of forest living. He likes the solitude and the sounds of nature because he can think about his love for Silvia wit...