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| Character | Proteus?Speed??? | |
|---|---|---|
| Scene type / Who are | Friends, In an interrogation scene, Having an argument, Giving advice on relationships, I wanted to tell you... I love you | |
| Type | Comic | |
| Period | Renaissance | |
| Genre | Comedy | |
| Description | Proteus anxiously asks Speed what was Julia's reaction to his letter | |
| Location | ACT I, Scene 1 | |
Summary
The play is about two childhood friends from Verona, Valentine and Proteus. In the beginning of the story Valentine leaves Verona for the Duke's court in Milan. Proteus tells his friend that he can't leave Verona because he is in love with Julia and is courting her. He sent her a love letter and is waiting for an answer. Valentine arrives in Milan and instantly falls in love with the Duke's daughter, Silvia. Soon later Proteus' father decides to send his son to Milan as well. Proteus also falls in love with Silvia and the story follows Proteus' schemes to win Silvia's love.
In this scene, the second part of the first scene of ACT I, Proteus confronts Speed, who is Valentine's servant. Speed was supposed to leave with Valentine and is late. He was sent to deliver a letter to Julia by Proteus. The scene starts in a funny tone as Proteus mocks Speed for being a "sheep". A battle of wits ensues as Speed defends himself. Then when Proteus asks him what was Julia's reaction to his letter, Speed avoids to give him a straight answer in order to be compensated for his effort.
In this scene, the second part of the first scene of ACT I, Proteus confronts Speed, who is Valentine's servant. Speed was supposed to leave with Valentine and is late. He was sent to deliver a letter to Julia by Proteus. The scene starts in a funny tone as Proteus mocks Speed for being a "sheep". A battle of wits ensues as Speed defends himself. Then when Proteus asks him what was Julia's reaction to his letter, Speed avoids to give him a straight answer in order to be compensated for his effort.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
|---|
| [Enter SPEED] SPEED Sir Proteus, save you! Saw you my master? PROTEUS But now he parted hence, to embark for Milan. SPEED Twenty to one then he is shipp'd already, And I have play'd the sheep in losing him. PROTEUS Indeed, a sheep doth very often stray, An if the shepherd be a while away. SPEED You conclude that my master is a shepherd, then, and I a sheep? PROTEUS I do. SPEED Why then, my horns are his horns, whether I wake or sleep. PROTEUS A silly answer and fitting well a sheep. SPEED This proves me still a sheep. PROTEUS True; and thy master a shepherd. SPEED Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance. PROTEUS It shall go hard but I'll prove it by another. SPEED The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not the sheep the shepherd; but I seek my master, and my master seeks not me: therefore I am no sheep. PROTEUS The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd; the shepherd for food follows not the sheep: thou for wages followest thy master; thy master for wages follows not thee: therefore thou art a sheep. SPEED Such another proof will make me cry 'baa.' PROTEUS But, dost thou hear? gavest thou my letter to Julia? SPEED Ay sir: I, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her, a laced mutton, and she, a laced mutton, gave me, a lost mutton, nothing for my labour. PROTEUS Here's too small a pasture for such store of muttons. SPEED If the ground be overcharged, you were best stick her. PROTEUS Nay: in that you are astray, 'twere best pound you. SPEED Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve me for carrying your letter. PROTEUS You mistake; I mean the pound,--a pinfold. SPEED From a pound to a pin? fold it over and over, 'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your lover. PROTEUS But what said she? SPEED [First nodding] Ay. PROTEUS Nod--Ay--why, that's noddy. SPEED You mistook, sir; I say, she did nod: and you ask me if she did nod; and I say, 'Ay.' PROTEUS And that set together is noddy. SPEED Now you have taken the pains to set it together, take it for your pains. PROTEUS No, no; you shall have it for bearing the letter. SPEED Well, I perceive I must be fain to bear with you. PROTEUS Why sir, how do you bear with me? SPEED Marry, sir, the letter, very orderly; having nothing but the word 'noddy' for my pains. PROTEUS Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit. SPEED And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse. PROTEUS Come come, open the matter in brief: what said she? SPEED Open your purse, that the money and the matter may be both at once delivered. PROTEUS Well, sir, here is for your pains. What said she? SPEED Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her. PROTEUS Why, couldst thou perceive so much from her? SPEED Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her; no, not so much as a ducat for delivering your letter: and being so hard to me that brought your mind, I fear she'll prove as hard to you in telling your mind. Give her no token but stones; for she's as hard as steel. PROTEUS What said she? nothing? SPEED No, not so much as 'Take this for thy pains.' To testify your bounty, I thank you, you have testerned me; in requital whereof, henceforth carry your letters yourself: and so, sir, I'll commend you to my master. PROTEUS Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from wreck, Which cannot perish having thee aboard, Being destined to a drier death on shore. [Exit SPEED] I must go send some better messenger: I fear my Julia would not deign my lines, Receiving them from such a worthless post. [Exit] |
