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