When Proteus falls in love with his best friend's girlfriend, the guys find themselves torn between the bonds of male friendship and romance. The Two Gentlemen of Verona is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1589 and 1592. Music by Galt MacDermot:: Lyrics by John Guare: Book by John Guare and Mel Shapiro based on the play by William Shakespeare . The Two Gentlemen of Verona Summary. It is a pastoral story about two young friends who travel to Milan, where they are educated in courtly behaviour. Summary of William Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona: Valentine and Proteus are best friends, except Proteus is disloyal to his girlfriend in pursuit of Valentine's fiance. The play deals with the themes of friendship and infidelity, the conflict between friendship and love, and the foolish behaviour of people in love. You see, Valentine is leaving for Milan and his BFF is sad to see him go. Valentine leaves their home city of Verona for Milan, but Proteus, in love with Julia, stays behind. The Two Gentlemen of Verona, an early play in five acts by William Shakespeare, written perhaps in 1590–94 and published in the First Folio of 1623 from an authorial manuscript. Proteus, I thank thee for thine honest care, Which to requite, command me while I live. St James Theatre, Broadway - 1 December 1971 (627 perfs) Phoenix Theatre, London - 26 April, 1973 (237 perfs) The Story When the play opens, Valentine and Proteus (a.k.a. The Two Gentlemen of Verona Synopsis Plot Summary Valentine is leaving his friend Proteus in order to take up residence at the Duke’s court in Milan; but Proteus stays in Verona to be near his love, Julia. This love of theirs myself have often seen, Haply when they have judg’d me fast asleep, The Two Gentlemen of Verona tells the story of two devoted friends, Valentine and Proteus. The Two Gentlemen of Verona Introduction. the two gentlemen of Verona) are in the middle of an emotional goodbye. The Two Gentlemen of Verona is one of Shakespeare’s earliest plays, his first comedy and also one of the most rarely performed plays in the canon. Then Proteus's father sends him to Milan, too. The Two Gentlemen of Verona is a comedy about the adventures of two bosom buddies, Valentine and Proteus. The play centers on a host of themes that Shakespeare would spend the rest of his career wrestling with, betrayal, disguise and love. Everyone gets married in the end, though. There's a dog. It is considered by some to be Shakespeare's first play. Two Gentlemen of Verona.