# Launce — The Two Gentlemen of Verona character guide

> Launce in The Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Signior Launce

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

## Snapshot

Proteus's slow-witted, tender-hearted servant, forever outshone by his ungrateful dog Crab, whose misadventures deflate the play's romantic pretensions.

## Who they are

Launce is the clown of the Verona household, given to long, rambling monologues about his family, his milkmaid, and above all his dog Crab, who urinates on ladies and refuses to behave. His loyalty to a dog that embarrasses him everywhere mirrors the play's obsession with misplaced affection and unearned devotion. His scenes offer comic relief that quietly undercuts the high-flown love-talk of his masters.

## In the story

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

Delivers a comedic monologue about his family's tearful farewell and his dog's lack of emotion, then is urged by Panthino to board the ship.

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

Arrives in Milan and engages in witty banter with Speed, using wordplay and parables to discuss Proteus and Julia's relationship.

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

Comic servant who comments on his master's knavish behavior and reveals his own love for a milkmaid.

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

Delivers a dog to Silvia but fails; recounts his dog Crab's antics and his own punishments.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_gentlemen_of_verona_se/characters/launce
- 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