# Speed — The Two Gentlemen of Verona character guide

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

**Role:** supporting

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

## Snapshot

Valentine's quick-tongued servant, a punning commentator who trades wits with Launce and punctures his master's romantic self-importance.

## Who they are

Speed is the sharper of the two servants, forever arriving late, trading quips, and turning his master's love-struck behaviour into a running joke. His banter with Launce about sheep, shepherds, and straying sets up the play's recurring theme of masters and servants, love and folly. He matters as the voice of dry observation, letting the audience laugh at the gentlemen even as their passions drive the plot.

## Relationships

### [Duke of Milan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_gentlemen_of_verona_se/characters/duke_of_milan)

_professional_

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

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

_social_

Julia encounters Speed as Valentine's servant, exchanging banter and information about the romantic entanglements at court.

### [Duke of Milan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_two_gentlemen_of_verona_se/characters/duke_of_milan)

_professional_

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

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

_social_

Julia encounters Speed as Valentine's servant, exchanging banter and information about the romantic entanglements at court.

## In the story

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

Speed delivers Proteus' letter to Julia and reports her unenthusiastic response, engaging in witty banter with Proteus.

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

Valentine's witty servant who observes and comments on Valentine's lovesick behavior and Silvia's clever scheme.

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

Briefly comments on Thurio's frowns toward Valentine.

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

Greets Launce in Milan and tries to get information about Proteus and Julia, eventually learning that Valentine has become a notable lover.

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

Accompanies Valentine and expresses fear of the outlaws.

## Links

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