# Duke of Milan — The Two Gentlemen of Verona character guide

> Duke of Milan in The Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Duke, Sir Valentine

**First appearance:** 0000-the-two-gentlemen-of-verona

## Snapshot

Silvia's imperious father, who guards his daughter's hand as a prize and banishes the man she loves.

## Who they are

As Milan's ruler, the Duke treats his daughter's marriage as a matter of dynastic strategy, favoring the wealthy but witless Thurio over the worthy Valentine. His authority is absolute until it meets the stubborn loyalty of young love, and his willingness to banish a gentleman of Verona sets the play's wanderings in motion. He is the wall that courtship must climb, and his eventual change of heart measures how far the lovers have traveled.

## Relationships

### [Valentine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_gentlemen_of_verona_se/characters/valentine)

_professional_

The Duke of Milan is Valentine's employer and the father of his beloved, initially favoring him but later turning against him when Valentine plans to elope with Silvia.

### [Silvia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_gentlemen_of_verona_se/characters/silvia)

_family_

The Duke of Milan is Silvia's father, who wants her to marry Thurio for political reasons, creating conflict with her true love Valentine.

### [Julia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_gentlemen_of_verona_se/characters/julia)

_social_

The Duke interacts with Julia primarily as a visitor to his court, unaware of her true identity as a woman disguised as a page.

### [Thurio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_gentlemen_of_verona_se/characters/thurio)

_professional_

The Duke of Milan favors Thurio as a suitor for his daughter Silvia, supporting his courtship for political and social gain.

### [Proteus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_gentlemen_of_verona_se/characters/proteus)

_professional_

The Duke of Milan welcomes Proteus to his court as a young gentleman, later using him as a confidant in schemes against Valentine.

### [Speed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_gentlemen_of_verona_se/characters/speed)

_professional_

Speed is Valentine's servant, and the Duke interacts with him as a minor court attendant and messenger.

### [Speed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_gentlemen_of_verona_se/characters/speed)

_professional_

Speed is Valentine's servant, and the Duke interacts with him as a minor court attendant and messenger.

### [Silvia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_gentlemen_of_verona_se/characters/silvia)

_family_

The Duke of Milan is Silvia's father, who wants her to marry Thurio for political reasons, creating conflict with her true love Valentine.

## In the story

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_gentlemen_of_verona_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iv)

Announces Proteus's arrival and instructs Silvia and Thurio to welcome him.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_gentlemen_of_verona_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-vi)

The Duke is the one Proteus plans to inform of Valentine's disguise and intended flight.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_gentlemen_of_verona_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i)

Intercepts Valentine's plot, banishes him, and feigns interest in courting a lady to trap Valentine.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_gentlemen_of_verona_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Schemes with Thurio and Proteus to make Silvia forget Valentine and love Thurio.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_gentlemen_of_verona_se/chapters/act-v-scene-ii)

Announces Silvia's flight with Eglamour and orders pursuit, revealing his anger and determination.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_gentlemen_of_verona_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iv)

Captured by outlaws, pardons Valentine and approves his marriage to Silvia.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_gentlemen_of_verona_se/characters/duke_of_milan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_gentlemen_of_verona_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_gentlemen_of_verona_se/characters