Question

“what 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 his friend had endured. he fell
in love with the duke of milan’s 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 utterly
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
best suited himself, with but scant regard for her own feelings as
on the subject. he suspected there was some love between silvia
and valentine, and saw many little things when they thought his
blind. he often determined to forbid valentine the court and his
daughter’s company, but, fearing that his jealousy might perhaps
be leading her into error, and that he might bring disgrace
upon his own daughter, he resolved not to act rashly, but by
degrees to discover the truth. in the meantime he
secretly watched silvia, and, hearing some attempt on the
part of silvia and valentine to escape secretly, he gave directions
that silvia should be closely guarded in an upper tower, the key of which
was brought to him every night by himself
(3) matters were in this state when, to valentine’s 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
select the correct answer
which is the best objective summary of the passage?
a. despite her father’s plans to marry her to someone else, silvia fails in love with valentine. her father suspects
she may have feelings for valentine and locks her away at night so she cannot leave. when proteus,
valentine’s friend, comes to visit, he falls in love with silvia and hatches a plan to have her for himself
b. valentine trusts his friend proteus and wants what is best for him, so when he visits him in milan, he praises
him to the duke. however, when proteus sees the duke’s daughter, silvia, he immediately forgets his girlfriend
back home and wants silvia for himself
c. proteus destroys his friendship with valentine by betraying his trust. the evil proteus wants to marry silvia,
valentine’s love interest, and deviously tells the duke of valentine’s plan to sneak away with his daughter. this
gets valentine unfairly thrown out of the kingdom, and proteus receives silvia’s hand in marriage
d. the duke of milan wants his daughter silvia to have an appropriate match for a husband. he feels as though
she may be interested in valentine, who is a nice guy, but not good enough for his daughter. so, he locks her
away at night so that he can keep an eye on her while he decides who she should marry

Explanation:

• Option A: Incorrect. The summary is too fragmented and doesn't accurately capture the main events and relationships.
• Option B: Incorrect. It doesn't mention the betrayal aspect which is a key element in the story.
• Option C: Correct. It highlights Proteus' betrayal of Valentine (destroying their friendship), his desire to marry Silvia, and the consequences (Valentine being thrown out).
• Option D: Incorrect. It doesn't mention Proteus' betrayal and the main conflict between the friends.

Answer:

C. Proteus destroys his friendship with Valentine by betraying his trust. The evil Proteus wants to marry Silvia, Valentine's love interest, and deviously tells the Duke of Valentine's plan to sneak away with his daughter. This gets Valentine unfairly thrown out of the kingdom, and Proteus receives Silvia's hand in marriage.