Beatrice
Much Ado About Nothing
Notes on Beatrice
Beatrice’s Sonnet
Read the NoteBeatrice closes Act 3 scene 1 of Much Ado About Nothing, speaking a sonnet.* Shakespeare occasionally used sonnets in his plays, for example, in Romeo and Juliet and Richard III, which were examined in previous essays. He didn’t insert these sonnets arbitrarily. He intended to achieve particular effects,
… continue reading this note
Appearance and Deception
Read the NoteA recurring theme in many of Shakespeare’s plays, and central to Much Ado About Nothing, explores how easily people are deceived not just by the false testimony of others but even by their own senses. Claudio, believing he was deceived by Don John, learned to place no trust in the words of others. With “Let every eye negotiate for itself,”
… continue reading this note
Quotes spoken by the character Beatrice
I have brought Count Claudio
Read the QuoteBeatrice
I have brought Count Claudio, whom you sent me to seek.
Prince
Why, how now, count, wherefore are you sad?
Claudio
Not sad, my lord.
Prince
How then, sick?
No, sure, my lord, my mother cried, but then there
was a star danced, and under that was I born.
… continue reading this quote
Now, Ursula, when Beatrice doth come
Read the SonnetHero
Now, Ursula, when Beatrice doth come,
As we do trace this alley up and down,
Our talk must only be of Benedick.
When I do name him, let it be thy part
To praise him more than ever man did merit.
What fire is in mine ears?
My talk to thee must be how Benedick
Is sick in love with Beatrice.
… continue reading this quote
I do love nothing in the world so well as you
Read the QuoteBenedick
I do love nothing in the world so well as you—is not that strange?
Beatrice
As strange as the thing I know not. It were as possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you, but believe me not, and yet I lie not; I confess nothing,
… continue reading this quote
Kill Claudio!
Read the QuoteBeatrice
Kill Claudio!
Benedick
Ha! Not for the wide world.
Beatrice
You kill me to deny it. Farewell.
She begins to exit.
Benedick
Tarry, sweet Beatrice.
O that I were a man for his sake! Or
that I had any friend would be a man for my sake!
… continue reading this quote
There’s not one wise man among twenty that will praise himself
Read the QuoteThere’s not one wise man among twenty that will praise himself.
… continue reading this quote
Madam, you must come to your uncle
Read the QuoteUrsula
Madam, you must come to your uncle. Yonder’s
old coil at home. It is proved my Lady Hero
hath been falsely accused, the Prince and Claudio
mightily abused, and Don John is the author of all,
who is fled and gone. Will you come presently?
Ursula exits.
I will live in thy heart,
… continue reading this quote