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O, how this spring of love resembleth
The uncertain glory of an April day,
Which now shows all the beauty of the sun,
And by and by a cloud takes all away.
(Proteus, I,iii, 84-87)

The Two Gentlemen of Verona explores the nature and difficulties of young love.

Act I shows that Proteus and Julia have a great deal of trouble expressing and following through their desires because of the propriety of the society in which they live. When Lucetta brings Julia a letter from Proteus, Julia, though desperate to read the letter, scolds Lucetta for receiving it and makes her take it back. She is ashamed that Lucetta improperly accepted the letter in her name, because it will affect how she is viewed socially. She also feels that she needs to uphold a chaste image to Lucetta, and in order to prove that she is not interested in the letter rips it up before she has had a chance to read it. The extent of the regret she feels at doing this is reflected by the way she treats the torn pieces of paper, folding them, kissing them, and even placing them in her bosom. This indicates a high level of sexual desire.

And here is writ 'Love-wounded Proteus'.
Poor wounded name, my bosom as a bed
Shall lodge thee till thy wound be throughly healed;
(I, ii, 114-116)
