How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Act.Scene.Line). Line numbers correspond to the Norton edition.
Quote #1
PROTEUS
Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphosed me,
Made me neglect my studies, lose my time,
War with good counsel, set the world at nought;
Made wit with musing weak, heart sick with thought. (1.1.68-71)
From the play's beginning, it seems that male-female relationships are never any good. Here, Proteus says that his love for Julia has transformed him, and not in a positive way.
Quote #2
JULIA
What fool is she that knows I am a maid
And would not force the letter to my view,
Since maids in modesty say 'no' to that
Which they would have the profferer construe 'ay'! (1.2.56-59)
After Julia refuses Proteus's letter, she reasons that it would be immodest and improper of her to accept the love note. While Julia worries a lot about what's considered proper or improper behavior for a young woman, she will later throw caution to the wind by disguising herself as a boy and travelling to Milan to find Proteus.
Quote #3
PANTINO
He wondered that your lordship
Would suffer him to spend his youth at home
While other men, of slender reputation,
Put forth their sons to seek preferment out:
Some to the wars to try their fortune there,
Some to discover islands far away,
Some to the studious universities.
For any or for all these exercises
He said that Proteus your son was meet,
And did request me to importune you
To let him spend his time no more at home,
Which would be great impeachment to his age
In having known no travel in his youth. (1.3.5-17)
Panthino advises Antonio that he should send Proteus to travel abroad like all the other young men from noble families. The idea is that travel will help round off a young man's education and make him a better person. This, of course, applies only to young men. Keep reading….