# Thurio — The Two Gentlemen of Verona character guide

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

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sir Thurio, gentle Thurio

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

## Snapshot

Silvia's wealthy, dim-witted suitor, whose courtship consists of hiring Proteus to praise him and failing to notice the mockery.

## Who they are

Thurio is the Duke's preferred match for Silvia: well-born, well-funded, and utterly without wit or courage. He hires Proteus to plead his suit and swallows every backhanded compliment, mistaking flattery for progress while Silvia pities his possessions and his person alike. His absurd vanity and eventual surrender of Silvia expose the difference between a suitor who wants a wife and one who wants to be admired.

## Relationships

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

_rivalry_

Thurio is Valentine's rival for Silvia's hand, a foolish and cowardly suitor whom Valentine easily outshines and ultimately defeats.

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

_social_

Julia, disguised as a page, interacts with Thurio as a servant of Silvia, observing his foolish courtship without revealing her true identity.

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

_professional_

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

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

_rivalry_

Silvia despises Thurio and rejects his advances, finding him foolish and unworthy of her love.

## In the story

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

Rival for Silvia's affection, engages in a verbal sparring match with Valentine.

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

Thurio is mentioned as the Duke's preferred suitor for Silvia, whom Proteus intends to outmaneuver.

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

Briefly appears; the Duke's preferred suitor for Silvia, though she hates him.

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

Despairs over Silvia's rejection but eagerly accepts Proteus' advice to win her with sonnets and music.

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

Arranges the serenade with Proteus, unaware of Proteus's true intentions.

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

Anxiously seeks Proteus's report on Silvia's opinion of him, revealing his insecurity.

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

Renounces Silvia when challenged by Valentine, revealing his cowardice.

## Links

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