Julia’s Monologue from The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act 4, Scene 4: "How many women would do such a message?"


Synopsis

In this poignant monologue, Julia reflects on the pain of being tasked with delivering Proteus’s message of love to another woman, Silvia. Though still deeply in love with him, Julia is forced to confront his betrayal and the bitter irony of her situation. Torn between her duty as Proteus’s servant and her loyalty to herself, Julia resolves to carry out the task but with reluctance, revealing her emotional conflict and unshaken love.

What’s just happened before this moment that’s relevant to the scene?

Disguised as a page, Julia has entered Proteus’s service. Proteus, unaware of her true identity, instructs her to deliver a message to Silvia, the woman he now loves. Julia struggles with the cruel task of helping him pursue someone else.

Original Text

"How many women would do such a message?
Alas, poor Proteus! thou hast entertain’d
A fox to be the shepherd of thy lambs.
Alas, poor fool! why do I pity him
That with his very heart despiseth me?
Because he loves her, he despiseth me;
Because I love him I must pity him.
This ring I gave him when he parted from me,
To bind him to remember my good will;
And now am I, unhappy messenger,
To plead for that which I would not obtain,
To carry that which I would have refused,
To praise his faith which I would have dispraised.
I am my master’s true-confirmed love;
But cannot be true servant to my master,
Unless I prove false traitor to myself.
Yet will I woo for him, but yet so coldly
As, heaven it knows, I would not have him speed."

Translation of Text into Contemporary Language

*"How many women would agree to deliver such a message?
Poor Proteus! You’ve hired a fox to guard your lambs.
Poor fool! Why do I feel sorry for him
When he completely despises me?
He despises me because he loves her;
And because I love him, I pity him.

This ring—I gave it to him when he left,
To remind him of my love and goodwill.
And now I, unlucky messenger,
Must argue for something I don’t want him to get,
Carry a message I wish I could refuse,
And praise his loyalty when I would rather criticize it.

I’m his true love, but I can’t be a loyal servant to him
Without betraying myself.
Still, I’ll plead his case—but so half-heartedly
That, God knows, I hope he doesn’t succeed."*

Meaning of Difficult or Unusual Words

  • Message: Julia refers to the task of delivering Proteus’s love message to Silvia.

  • Fox to be the shepherd of thy lambs: A deceitful person entrusted with a vulnerable position.

  • Good will: Her affection and loyalty.

  • True-confirmed love: Genuine and devoted love.

  • Woo: Act on someone’s behalf in courting another.

  • Speed: Succeed in his romantic pursuit.

Suggested New Thoughts Chunking / Paragraphing with Acting Notes

  1. "How many women would do such a message? Alas, poor Proteus! thou hast entertain’d A fox to be the shepherd of thy lambs."
    Acting Note: Begin with incredulity and sorrow. Julia is struck by the absurdity and cruelty of her situation, her tone a mix of disbelief and bitterness.

  2. "Alas, poor fool! why do I pity him That with his very heart despiseth me? Because he loves her, he despiseth me; Because I love him I must pity him."
    Acting Note: Add emotional complexity here. Julia is torn between her pain and her compassion for Proteus, struggling to reconcile her feelings.

  3. "This ring I gave him when he parted from me, To bind him to remember my good will;"
    Acting Note: Speak with tenderness and nostalgia. The ring symbolizes her love, and this moment reflects her heartbreak over Proteus’s betrayal.

  4. "And now am I, unhappy messenger, To plead for that which I would not obtain, To carry that which I would have refused, To praise his faith which I would have dispraised."
    Acting Note: Infuse these lines with bitterness and irony. Julia laments the cruel irony of her role, torn between duty and desire.

  5. "I am my master’s true-confirmed love; But cannot be true servant to my master, Unless I prove false traitor to myself."
    Acting Note: Reflect on the moral conflict. Julia feels trapped by her dual roles, her tone growing introspective and resigned.

  6. "Yet will I woo for him, but yet so coldly As, heaven it knows, I would not have him speed."
    Acting Note: Conclude with quiet determination. Julia resolves to perform the task, but her reluctance and pain linger in her voice.

Journey Keypoints

  • Hook: Julia begins with a rhetorical question, drawing attention to the unfairness of her situation.

  • Turning Point: She reflects on her love for Proteus and the pain of his rejection, deepening the emotional stakes.

  • Climax: Julia laments the irony of her position as Proteus’s messenger.

  • Resolution: She resolves to carry out her duty, though her heart is clearly not in it.

Famous or Notable Actors Who Have Played the Role

  • Vanessa Redgrave (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1959)

  • Helen Mirren (National Theatre, 1970)

  • Nikki Amuka-Bird (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, 2005)

  • Lucinda Davidson (Royal Shakespeare Company, 2022)


Dive into Julia’s heartfelt vulnerability and inner conflict with ACS Drama School Audition Coaching! Learn how to navigate the emotional complexities of Shakespeare’s heroines with expert guidance. Start your journey today at ACS Drama School Audition Coaching.