In The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Julia is Proteus’s first love. At the beginning of the play, Proteus remains in Verona because he is devoted to Julia, while his friend Valentine leaves for Milan. Proteus’s father later sends him to Milan as well, forcing the lovers to separate.
Before Proteus departs, he and Julia exchange rings and promise to remain faithful. In Milan, however, Proteus quickly becomes infatuated with Silvia, Valentine’s beloved, and betrays both his friend and Julia. Julia follows him to Milan disguised as a page named Sebastian, where she discovers his inconstancy firsthand.
Proteus eventually tries to woo Silvia, but Valentine interrupts him after he threatens her. When Julia faints and her disguise is exposed, Proteus recognizes her and renews his commitment to her. The play ends with Proteus and Julia paired together, alongside Valentine and Silvia.
Silvia is Proteus’s later infatuation, not his first love. Lucetta is Julia’s maid, and Portia does not belong to this play. The character’s name is usually printed as Julia, while Silvia’s name may appear as Sylvia in some editions.