Question

\who is silvia?\
from the shakespeare story - book
by mary macleod and william shakespeare (excerpt)
(1) valentine had spoken many wise words to proteus on the folly
of being in love, but he had not been long in milan before he was
in just the same sad plight that he had cautioned his friend
against. the duke of milan had a beautiful daughter called silvia,
and it was with her that valentine fell deeply in love. she returned
his affection, and they became secretly betrothed, but they dared
not let this be known, for her father favoured another suitor, sir
thurio, a rich and well - born gentleman, but foolish and extremely
vain.
(2) the duke of milan, as was the custom in those days, thought
himself at perfect liberty to dispose of his daughter in marriage as
best pleased himself, with but scant regard for her own feelings
on the subject. he suspected there was some love between silvia
and valentine, and saw many little things when they thought him
blind. he often determined to forbid valentine his court and his
daughters company, but, fearing that his jealousy might perhaps
be leading him into error, and that he might bring disgrace
unworthily upon valentine, he resolved not to act rashly, but by
gentle means to try to discover the truth. in the meanwhile he
kept a strict watch over silvia, and, fearing some attempt on the
part of the young lovers to escape secretly, he gave directions
that silvia should be lodged in an upper tower, the key of which
was brought every night to himself.
(3) matters were in this state when, to valentines great joy,
proteus arrived at the court of milan. in the full warmth of his
generous heart, valentine lavished praises of his friend to the
duke of milan and to silvia, and for the sake of the love she bore
to valentine silvia gave proteus a hearty welcome.
(4) but what a base return proteus made for the kindness heaped
on him!
(5) in spite of the devotion which he had professed for julia, in
spite of his lifelong friendship with valentine, proteus no sooner
beheld silvia than he imagined himself desperately in love with her.
select the correct answer
read this excerpt from the text.
(5) in spite of the devotion which he had professed for julia, in spite of his lifelong friendship with valentine, proteus no
sooner beheld silvia than he imagined himself desperately in love with her.
what does this sentence reveal about proteuss character?
a. it reveals that proteuss faithfulness is questionable
b. it reveals that proteus values others over himself.
c. it reveals that proteuss love for julia is unmatched
d. it reveals that proteus is able to control his thoughts and actions

Explanation:

The text states that Proteus had professed devotion for Julia and had a lifelong friendship with Valentine. However, as soon as he saw Silvia, he imagined himself desperately in love with her. This shows that his previous expressions of devotion (to Julia) and loyalty (to Valentine) may not be genuine or lasting. A person who so quickly abandons previous attachments (even if they were professed) shows that their faithfulness (to those previous attachments) is questionable.

Answer:

A. It reveals that Proteus's faithfulness is questionable