He speaks in grand proclamations that slightly outrun his grasp of reality — idealism expressed with the confidence of someone who hasn't tested it. Watch for the gap between his rhetoric and his behavior.
Let fame, that all hunt after in their lives,
Live registered upon our brazen tombs,
And then grace us in the disgrace of death;
When, spite of cormorant devouring time,
Th’ endeavour of this present breath may buy
That honour which shall bate his scythe’s keen edge,
And make us heirs of all eternity.
Therefore, brave conquerors, for so you are
That war against your own affections
And the huge army of the world’s desires,
Our late edict shall strongly stand in force.
Navarre shall be the wonder of the world;
Our court shall be a little academe,
Still and contemplative in living art.
You three, Berowne, Dumaine and Longaville,
Have sworn for three years’ term to live with me,
My fellow-scholars, and to keep those statutes
That are recorded in this schedule here.
Your oaths are passed, and now subscribe your names,
That his own hand may strike his honour down
That violates the smallest branch herein.
If you are armed to do as sworn to do,
Subscribe to your deep oaths, and keep it too.
Let fame—which everyone hunts for in life—be recorded on our bronze tombs, then honor us even in death. When time, which devours all things, has done its worst, let what we accomplish now protect our reputation and dull its blade. We will become the heirs of immortality. Therefore, brave conquerors—you who war against your own desires and the world’s endless temptations—this new decree will stand firm. Navarre will be the marvel of the world. Our court will be a small academy, quiet and devoted to learning. You three—Berowne, Dumaine, and Longaville—have sworn to live with me for three years as fellow scholars and keep the rules written here. Your oaths are made; now sign your names so your own hand condemns you if you break the smallest rule. If you are committed to keeping these oaths, sign them now.
Look, everyone chases fame their whole lives. Let their achievements be carved on stone so people remember them after they’re dead. No matter what time destroys, what we accomplish will last forever. You three are brave because you’re fighting your own desires and all the world’s temptations. This rule is locked in. Navarre is going to be amazing. We’re turning our court into a little academy—quiet, scholarly, totally focused on thinking. You swore to stay with me for three years and follow these rules. You already made the oath, so sign now. If you break even one small thing, that’s on you. If you mean it, sign it.
we’re doing this three years no distractions navarre becomes legendary sign right now
The eager middle-manager of the group — he signs first, devises the harshest penalties, and speaks in tidy couplets. Watch for his earnestness as a marker of how far he has to fall.
I am resolved. ’Tis but a three years’ fast.
The mind shall banquet, though the body pine.
Fat paunches have lean pates, and dainty bits
Make rich the ribs, but bankrupt quite the wits.
I am resolved. It is only a three-year fast. The mind shall feast even though the body suffers from hunger. Fat bellies create empty heads, and luxuries dull the mind. All sensual pleasures cloud judgment. Therefore, I accept this oath with a clear conscience.
I'm in. Three years is nothing. Your mind can thrive even when your body is hungry. Rich food makes you lazy and stupid. Pleasure gets in the way of thinking clearly. So yeah, I'm signing this. Bring it on.
im in three years no food will sharpen my mind lets do this
He speaks with philosophical serenity — "Dumaine is mortified" — as if he is narrating a saint's life. Watch for the gap between this self-portrait and what he does the moment Kate shows up.
My loving lord, Dumaine is mortified.
The grosser manner of these world’s delights
He throws upon the gross world’s baser slaves.
To love, to wealth, to pomp, I pine and die,
With all these living in philosophy.
My loving lord, Dumaine is mortified. The grosser manner of these world’s delights He throws upon the gross world’s baser slaves. To love, to wealth, to pomp, I pine and die, With all these living in philosophy.
My loving lord, Dumaine is mortified. The grosser manner of these world’s delights He throws upon the gross world’s baser slaves. To love, to wealth, to pomp, I pine and die, With all these living in philosophy.
my loving lord, dumaine is mortified
The sharpest tongue in the room, and he knows it — he argues against every position he then adopts, and he's always right about the argument even when he loses the vote. Watch for him being the first to see through any pretense, including his own.
I can but say their protestation over.
So much, dear liege, I have already sworn,
That is, to live and study here three years.
But there are other strict observances:
As not to see a woman in that term,
Which I hope well is not enrolled there;
And one day in a week to touch no food,
And but one meal on every day beside,
The which I hope is not enrolled there;
And then to sleep but three hours in the night,
And not be seen to wink of all the day,
When I was wont to think no harm all night,
And make a dark night too of half the day,
Which I hope well is not enrolled there.
O, these are barren tasks, too hard to keep,
Not to see ladies, study, fast, not sleep.
I can but say their protestation over. So much, dear liege, I have already sworn, That is, to live and study here three years. But there are other strict observances: As not to see a woman in that term, Which I hope well is not enrolled there; And one day in a week to touch no food, And but one meal on every day beside, The which I hope is not enrolled there; And then to sleep but three hours in the night, And not be seen to wink of all the day, When I was wont to think no harm all night, And make a dark night too of half the day, Which I hope well is not enrolled there. O, these are barren tasks, too hard to keep, Not to see ladies, study, fast, not sleep.
I can but say their protestation over. So much, dear liege, I have already sworn, That is, to live and study here three years. But there are other strict observances: As not to see a woman in that term, Which I hope well is not enrolled there; And one day in a week to touch no food, And but one meal
i can but say their protestation over
Your oath is passed to pass away from these.
Your oath is passed to pass away from these.
Your oath is passed to pass away from these.
your oath is passed to pass away from these
Let me say no, my liege, an if you please.
I only swore to study with your Grace
And stay here in your court for three years’ space.
Let me say no, my liege, an if you please. I only swore to study with your Grace And stay here in your court for three years’ space.
Let me say no, my liege, an if you please. I only swore to study with your Grace And stay here in your court for three years’ space.
let me say no, my liege, an if you please
You swore to that, Berowne, and to the rest.
You swore to that, Berowne, and to the rest.
You swore to that, Berowne, and to the rest.
you swore to that, berowne, and to the rest
By yea and nay, sir, then I swore in jest.
What is the end of study, let me know?
By yea and nay, sir, then I swore in jest. What is the end of study, let me know?
By yea and nay, sir, then I swore in jest. What is the end of study, let me know?
by yea and nay, sir, then i swore in jest
Why, that to know which else we should not know.
Why, that to know which else we should not know.
Why, that to know which else we should not know.
why, that to know which else we should not know
Things hid and barred, you mean, from common sense?
Things hid and barred, you mean, from common sense?
Things hid and barred, you mean, from common sense?
things hid and barred, you mean, from common sense
Ay, that is study’s god-like recompense.
Ay, that is study’s god-like recompense.
Ay, that is study’s god-like recompense.
ay, that is study’s god-like recompense
Come on, then, I will swear to study so,
To know the thing I am forbid to know:
As thus, to study where I well may dine,
When I to feast expressly am forbid;
Or study where to meet some mistress fine,
When mistresses from common sense are hid;
Or, having sworn too hard-a-keeping oath,
Study to break it, and not break my troth.
If study’s gain be thus, and this be so,
Study knows that which yet it doth not know.
Swear me to this, and I will ne’er say no.
Come on, then, I will swear to study so, To know the thing I am forbid to know: As thus, to study where I well may dine, When I to feast expressly am forbid; Or study where to meet some mistress fine, When mistresses from common sense are hid; Or, having sworn too hard-a-keeping oath, Study to break it, and not break my troth. If study’s gain be thus, and this be so, Study knows that which yet it does not know. Swear me to this, and I will ne’er say no.
Come on, then, I will swear to study so, To know the thing I am forbid to know: As thus, to study where I well may dine, When I to feast expressly am forbid; Or study where to meet some mistress fine, When mistresses from common sense are hid; Or, having sworn too hard-a-keeping oath, Study to break
come on, then, i will swear to study so, to know the thing i am forbid to know: as thus, to study wh
These be the stops that hinder study quite,
And train our intellects to vain delight.
These be the stops that hinder study quite, And train our intellects to vain delight.
These be the stops that hinder study quite, And train our intellects to vain delight.
these be the stops that hinder study quite, and train our intellects to vain delight
Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain
Which, with pain purchased, doth inherit pain:
As painfully to pore upon a book
To seek the light of truth, while truth the while
Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look.
Light seeking light doth light of light beguile;
So, ere you find where light in darkness lies,
Your light grows dark by losing of your eyes.
Study me how to please the eye indeed
By fixing it upon a fairer eye,
Who dazzling so, that eye shall be his heed,
And give him light that it was blinded by.
Study is like the heaven’s glorious sun,
That will not be deep-searched with saucy looks;
Small have continual plodders ever won,
Save base authority from others’ books.
These earthly godfathers of heaven’s lights,
That give a name to every fixed star,
Have no more profit of their shining nights
Than those that walk and wot not what they are.
Too much to know is to know naught but fame,
And every godfather can give a name.
Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain Which, with pain purchased, does inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth the while Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look. Light seeking light does light of light beguile; So, ere you find where light in darkness lies, Your light grows dark by losing of your eyes. Study me how to please the eye indeed By fixing it upon a fairer eye, Who dazzling so, that eye shall be his heed, And give him light that it was blinded by. Study is like the heaven’s glorious sun, That will not be deep-searched with saucy looks; Small have continual plodders ever won, Save base authority from others’ books. These earehly godfathers of heaven’s lights, That give a name to every fixed star, Have no more profit of their shining nights Than those that walk and wot not what they are. Too much to know is to know naught but fame, And every godfather can give a name.
Why, all delights are vain, but that most vain Which, with pain purchased, does inherit pain: As painfully to pore upon a book To seek the light of truth, while truth the while Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look. Light seeking light does light of light beguile; So, ere you find where light
why, all delights are vain, but that most vain which, with pain purchased, does inherit pain: as pai
How well he’s read, to reason against reading.
How well he’s read, to reason against reading.
How well he’s read, to reason against reading.
how well he’s read, to reason against reading
Proceeded well, to stop all good proceeding.
Proceeded well, to stop all good proceeding.
Proceeded well, to stop all good proceeding.
proceeded well, to stop all good proceeding
He weeds the corn, and still lets grow the weeding.
He weeds the corn, and still lets grow the weeding.
He weeds the corn, and still lets grow the weeding.
he weeds the corn, and still lets grow the weeding
The spring is near when green geese are a-breeding.
The spring is near when green geese are a-breeding.
The spring is near when green geese are a-breeding.
the spring is near when green geese are a-breeding
How follows that?
How follows that?
How follows that?
how follows that
Fit in his place and time.
Fit in his place and time.
Fit in his place and time.
fit in his place and time
In reason nothing.
In reason nothing.
In reason nothing.
in reason nothing
Something then in rhyme.
Something then in rhyme.
Something then in rhyme.
something then in rhyme
The King's plan to turn his court into an 'academe' wasn't absurd to an Elizabethan audience — it was aspirational. The Platonic Academy at Florence, revived in the late 15th century under Lorenzo de' Medici, was a genuine cultural phenomenon: aristocrats gathering to philosophize, write poetry, and argue about the soul. Closer to Shakespeare's time, several English noblemen ran informal intellectual circles that aspired to exactly this ideal. What Shakespeare does is put this earnest Renaissance dream under comic pressure: the oath fails not because study is bad but because human desire is ungovernable. The play takes an idea the audience would have taken seriously and then shows it running aground on biology.
Berowne is like an envious sneaping frost
That bites the first-born infants of the spring.
Berowne is like an envious sneaping frost That bites the first-born infants of the spring.
Berowne is like an envious sneaping frost That bites the first-born infants of the spring.
berowne is like an envious sneaping frost that bites the first-born infants of the spring
Well, say I am. Why should proud summer boast
Before the birds have any cause to sing?
Why should I joy in any abortive birth?
At Christmas I no more desire a rose
Than wish a snow in May’s new-fangled shows,
But like of each thing that in season grows.
So you, to study now it is too late,
Climb o’er the house to unlock the little gate.
Well, say I am. Why should proud summer boast Before the birds have any cause to sing? Why should I joy in any abortive birth? At Christmas I no more desire a rose Than wish a snow in May’s new-fangled shows, But like of each thing that in season grows. So you, to study now it is too late, Climb o’er the house to unlock the little gate.
Well, say I am. Why should proud summer boast Before the birds have any cause to sing? Why should I joy in any abortive birth? At Christmas I no more desire a rose Than wish a snow in May’s new-fangled shows, But like of each thing that in season grows. So you, to study now it is too late, Climb o’e
well, say i am
Well, sit you out. Go home, Berowne. Adieu.
Well, sit you out. Go home, Berowne. Adieu.
Well, sit you out. Go home, Berowne. Adieu.
well, sit you out go home, berowne adieu
No, my good lord, I have sworn to stay with you,
And though I have for barbarism spoke more
Than for that angel knowledge you can say,
Yet confident I’ll keep what I have sworn
And bide the penance of each three years’ day.
Give me the paper, let me read the same,
And to the strictest decrees I’ll write my name.
No, my good lord, I have sworn to stay with you, And yough I have for barbarism spoke more Than for that angel knowledge you can say, Yet confident I’ll keep what I have sworn And bide the penance of each three years’ day. Give me the paper, let me read the same, And to the strictest decrees I’ll write my name.
No, my good lord, I have sworn to stay with you, And yough I have for barbarism spoke more Than for that angel knowledge you can say, Yet confident I’ll keep what I have sworn And bide the penance of each three years’ day. Give me the paper, let me read the same, And to the strictest decrees I’ll wr
no, my good lord, i have sworn to stay with you, and yough i have for barbarism spoke more than for
How well this yielding rescues thee from shame.
How well this yielding rescues you from shame.
How well this yielding rescues you from shame.
how well this yielding rescues you from shame
Hath this been proclaimed?
has this been proclaimed?
has this been proclaimed?
has this been proclaimed
Four days ago.
Four days ago.
Four days ago.
four days ago
Let’s see the penalty. [_Reads_.] _On pain of losing her tongue._ Who
devised this penalty?
Let’s see the penalty. [_Reads_.] _On pain of losing her tongue._ Who devised this penalty?
Let’s see the penalty. [_Reads_.] _On pain of losing her tongue._ Who devised this penalty?
let’s see the penalty
Marry, that did I.
indeed, that did I.
indeed, that did I.
indeed, that did i
Sweet lord, and why?
Sweet lord, and why?
Sweet lord, and why?
sweet lord, and why
To fright them hence with that dread penalty.
To fright them hence with that dread penalty.
To fright them hence with that dread penalty.
to fright them hence with that dread penalty
A dangerous law against gentility.
A dangerous law against gentility.
A dangerous law against gentility.
a dangerous law against gentility
What say you, lords? Why, this was quite forgot.
What say you, lords? Why, this was quite forgot.
What say you, lords? Why, this was quite forgot.
what say you, lords why, this was quite forgot
Berowne is the character who sees everything clearly — the oath is impossible, the enterprise is foolish, the French girls will undo them — and then does everything he criticizes anyway. This is a specific comic type: the self-aware fool. His intelligence doesn't protect him; it just means he can describe his own downfall with unusual precision. His great speech in 4-3, arguing that love is the source of all knowledge, is magnificent — and it's also special pleading by a man who's caught with his hand in the cookie jar. The play keeps him lovable because he never stops being honest about the discrepancy between what he knows and what he does.
So study evermore is overshot.
While it doth study to have what it would,
It doth forget to do the thing it should;
And when it hath the thing it hunteth most,
’Tis won as towns with fire: so won, so lost.
So study evermore is overshot. While it does study to have what it would, It does forget to do the thing it should; And when it has the thing it hunteth most, ’Tis won as towns with fire: so won, so lost.
So study evermore is overshot. While it does study to have what it would, It does forget to do the thing it should; And when it has the thing it hunteth most, ’Tis won as towns with fire: so won, so lost.
so study evermore is overshot
We must of force dispense with this decree.
She must lie here on mere necessity.
We must of force dispense with this decree. She must lie here on mere necessity.
We must of force dispense with this decree. She must lie here on mere necessity.
we must of force dispense with this decree
Necessity will make us all forsworn
Three thousand times within this three years’ space;
For every man with his affects is born,
Not by might mastered, but by special grace.
If I break faith, this word shall speak for me:
I am forsworn on mere necessity.
So to the laws at large I write my name,
And he that breaks them in the least degree
Stands in attainder of eternal shame.
Suggestions are to other as to me;
But I believe, although I seem so loath,
I am the last that will last keep his oath.
Necessity will make us all forsworn Three yousand times within this three years’ space; For every man with his affects is born, Not by might mastered, but by special grace. If I break faith, this word shall speak for me: I am forsworn on mere necessity. So to the laws at large I write my name, And he that breaks them in the least degree Stands in attainder of eternal shame. Suggestions are to other as to me; But I believe, alyough I seem so loath, I am the last that will last keep his oath.
Necessity will make us all forsworn Three yousand times within this three years’ space; For every man with his affects is born, Not by might mastered, but by special grace. If I break faith, this word shall speak for me: I am forsworn on mere necessity. So to the laws at large I write my name, And h
necessity will make us all forsworn three yousand times within this three years’ space; for every ma
Ay, that there is. Our court, you know, is haunted
With a refined traveller of Spain,
A man in all the world’s new fashion planted,
That hath a mint of phrases in his brain;
One who the music of his own vain tongue
Doth ravish like enchanting harmony,
A man of complements, whom right and wrong
Have chose as umpire of their mutiny.
This child of fancy, that Armado hight,
For interim to our studies shall relate
In high-born words the worth of many a knight
From tawny Spain lost in the world’s debate.
How you delight, my lords, I know not, I,
But I protest I love to hear him lie,
And I will use him for my minstrelsy.
Ay, that there is. Our court, you know, is haunted With a refined traveller of Spain, A man in all the world’s new fashion planted, That has a mint of phrases in his brain; One who the music of his own vain tongue Doth ravish like enchanting harmony, A man of complements, whom right and wrong Have chose as umpire of their mutiny. This child of fancy, that Armado hight, For interim to our studies shall relate In high-born words the worth of many a knight From tawny Spain lost in the world’s debate. How you delight, my lords, I know not, I, But I protest I love to hear him lie, And I will use him for my minstrelsy.
Ay, that there is. Our court, you know, is haunted With a refined traveller of Spain, A man in all the world’s new fashion planted, That has a mint of phrases in his brain; One who the music of his own vain tongue Doth ravish like enchanting harmony, A man of complements, whom right and wrong Have c
ay, that there is
Armado is a most illustrious wight,
A man of fire-new words, fashion’s own knight.
Armado is a most illustrious wight, A man of fire-new words, fashion’s own knight.
Armado is a most illustrious wight, A man of fire-new words, fashion’s own knight.
armado is a most illustrious wight, a man of fire-new words, fashion’s own knight
Costard the swain and he shall be our sport,
And so to study three years is but short.
Costard the swain and he shall be our sport, And so to study three years is but short.
Costard the swain and he shall be our sport, And so to study three years is but short.
costard the swain and he shall be our sport, and so to study three years is but short
A constable who mangles official language with beautiful consistency — "I myself reprehend his own person" instead of "represent." Watch for his malapropisms as a running joke on the gap between institutional authority and actual wit.
Which is the Duke’s own person?
Which is the Duke’s own person?
Which is the Duke’s own person?
which is the duke’s own person
This, fellow. What wouldst?
This, fellow. What would?
This, fellow. What 'd?
this, fellow what wouldst
I myself reprehend his own person, for I am his Grace’s farborough. But
I would see his own person in flesh and blood.
I myself reprehend his own person, for I am his Grace’s farborough. But I would see his own person in flesh and blood.
I myself reprehend his own person, for I am his Grace’s farborough. But I would see his own person in flesh and blood.
i myself reprehend his own person, for i am his grace’s farborough
This is he.
This is he.
This is he.
this is he
Signior Arm… Arm… commends you. There’s villainy abroad. This letter
will tell you more.
Signior Arm… Arm… commends you. There’s villainy abroad. This letter will tell you more.
Signior Arm… Arm… commends you. There’s villainy abroad. This letter will tell you more.
signior arm… arm… commends you
The clown who is also the most honest man in the scene — he confesses everything, argues about word choice with cheerful precision, and accepts his punishment with a shrug of genuine philosophy. Watch for him as the play's moral compass wrapped in foolishness.
Sir, the contempts thereof are as touching me.
Sir, the contempts thereof are as touching me.
Sir, the contempts thereof are as touching me.
sir, the contempts thereof are as touching me
A letter from the magnificent Armado.
A letter from the magnificent Armado.
A letter from the magnificent Armado.
a letter from the magnificent armado
How long soever the matter, I hope in God for high words.
How long soever the matter, I hope in God for high words.
How long soever the matter, I hope in God for high words.
how long soever the matter, i hope in god for high words
A high hope for a low heaven. God grant us patience!
A high hope for a low heaven. God grant us patience!
A high hope for a low heaven. God grant us patience!
a high hope for a low heaven
To hear, or forbear laughing?
To hear, or forbear laughing?
To hear, or forbear laughing?
to hear, or forbear laughing
To hear meekly, sir, and to laugh moderately, or to forbear both.
To hear meekly, sir, and to laugh moderately, or to forbear both.
To hear meekly, sir, and to laugh moderately, or to forbear both.
to hear meekly, sir, and to laugh moderately, or to forbear both
Well, sir, be it as the style shall give us cause to climb in the
merriness.
Well, sir, be it as the style shall give us cause to climb in the merriness.
Well, sir, be it as the style shall give us cause to climb in the merriness.
well, sir, be it as the style shall give us cause to climb in the merriness
The matter is to me, sir, as concerning Jaquenetta. The manner of it
is, I was taken with the manner.
The matter is to me, sir, as concerning Jaquenetta. The manner of it is, I was taken with the manner.
The matter is to me, sir, as concerning Jaquenetta. The manner of it is, I was taken with the manner.
the matter is to me, sir, as concerning jaquenetta
In what manner?
In what manner?
In what manner?
in what manner
In manner and form following, sir, all those three. I was seen with her
in the manor-house, sitting with her upon the form, and taken following
her into the park, which, put together, is “in manner and form
following”. Now, sir, for the manner. It is the manner of a man to
speak to a woman. For the form—in some form.
In manner and form following, sir, all those three. I was seen with her in the manor-house, sitting with her upon the form, and taken following her into the park, which, put together, is “in manner and form following”. Now, sir, for the manner. It is the manner of a man to speak to a woman. For the form—in some form.
In manner and form following, sir, all those three. I was seen with her in the manor-house, sitting with her upon the form, and taken following her into the park, which, put together, is “in manner and form following”. Now, sir, for the manner. It is the manner of a man to speak to a woman. For the
in manner and form following, sir, all those three
For the “following”, sir?
For the “following”, sir?
For the “following”, sir?
for the “following”, sir
There are three prohibitions in the oath: no women, minimal food, minimal sleep. Berowne objects to all three in order, and then the Princess arrives in Act 2 to make the no-women clause structurally impossible. This is the play's architecture at work. The oaths aren't broken through weakness of will — they're broken because the King forgot he had a diplomatic obligation that trumps the oath the day he made it. Shakespeare is suggesting something specific: that idealism divorced from reality doesn't just fail, it fails embarrassingly quickly, usually because you forgot something obvious. Keep watching for how each clause of the oath gets systematically demolished over the next four acts.
As it shall follow in my correction, and God defend the right!
As it shall follow in my correction, and God defend the right!
As it shall follow in my correction, and God defend the right!
as it shall follow in my correction, and god defend the right
Will you hear this letter with attention?
Will you hear this letter with attention?
Will you hear this letter with attention?
will you hear this letter with attention
As we would hear an oracle.
As we would hear an oracle.
As we 'd hear an oracle.
as we would hear an oracle
Such is the simplicity of man to hearken after the flesh.
Such is the simplicity of man to hearken after the flesh.
Such is the simplicity of man to hearken after the flesh.
such is the simplicity of man to hearken after the flesh
Navarre, my soul’s earth’s god and body’s fostering patron—_
Navarre, my soul’s eareh’s god and body’s fostering patron—_
Navarre, my soul’s eareh’s god and body’s fostering patron—_
navarre, my soul’s eareh’s god and body’s fostering patron—_
Not a word of Costard yet.
Not a word of Costard yet.
Not a word of Costard yet.
not a word of costard yet
It may be so; but if he say it is so, he is, in telling true, but so.
It may be so; but if he say it is so, he is, in telling true, but so.
It may be so; but if he say it is so, he is, in telling true, but so.
it may be so; but if he say it is so, he is, in telling true, but so
Peace!
Peace!
Quiet.
shh
Be to me, and every man that dares not fight.
Be to me, and every man that dares not fight.
Be to me, and every man that dares not fight.
be to me, and every man that dares not fight
No words!
No words!
Don't say anything.
say nothing
Of other men’s secrets, I beseech you.
Of other men’s secrets, I beseech you.
Of other men’s secrets, I beseech you.
of other men’s secrets, i beseech you
commend the black-oppressing humour to the most wholesome physic of thy
health-giving air; and, as I am a gentleman, betook myself to walk. The
time when? About the sixth hour, when beasts most graze, birds best
peck, and men sit down to that nourishment which is called supper. So
much for the time when. Now for the ground which? Which, I mean, I
walked upon. It is ycleped thy park. Then for the place, where? Where,
I mean, I did encounter that obscene and most preposterous event that
draweth from my snow-white pen the ebon-coloured ink, which here thou
viewest, beholdest, surveyest, or seest. But to the place where? It
standeth north-north-east and by east from the west corner of thy
curious-knotted garden. There did I see that low-spirited swain, that
base minnow of thy mirth—_
commend the black-oppressing humour to the most wholesome physic of your health-giving air; and, as I am a gentleman, betook myself to walk. The time when? About the sixth hour, when beasts most graze, birds best peck, and men sit down to that nourishment which is called supper. So much for the time when. Now for the ground which? Which, I mean, I walked upon. It is ycleped your park. Then for the place, where? Where, I mean, I did encounter that obscene and most preposterous event that draweth from my snow-white pen the ebon-coloured ink, which here you viewest, beholdest, surveyest, or seest. But to the place where? It standeth north-north-east and by east from the west corner of your curious-knotted garden. There did I see that low-spirited swain, that base minnow of your mirth—_
commend the black-oppressing humour to the most wholesome physic of your health-giving air; and, as I am a gentleman, betook myself to walk. The time when? About the sixth hour, when beasts most graze, birds best peck, and men sit down to that nourishment which is called supper. So much for the time
commend the black-oppressing humour to the most wholesome physic of your health-giving air; and, as
Me?
Me?
Me?
me?
Me?
Me?
Again?
me? again?
Still me?
Still me?
Still me?
still me?
O me!
Oh me!
Oh no.
oh no
proclaimed edict and continent canon, which with, O, with—but with this
I passion to say wherewith—_
proclaimed edict and continent canon, which with, O, with—but with this I passion to say wherewith—_
proclaimed edict and continent canon, which with, O, with—but with this I passion to say wherewith—_
proclaimed edict and continent canon, which with, o, with—but with this i passion to say wherewith—_
With a wench.
With a wench.
With a wench.
with a wench
Armado's letter — with its 'great deputy, the welkin's vicegerent' and 'snow-white pen' and 'ebon-coloured ink' — is a precise satire of a real Elizabethan fashion called 'euphuism,' after John Lyly's novel Euphues (1578). Euphuism was characterized by elaborate parallel structures, excessive alliteration, and a compulsive need to say simple things in seventeen words. It was briefly fashionable among aristocrats and was already being mocked by the mid-1590s. Shakespeare is asking his audience to laugh at a prose style they'd have recognized as embarrassingly dated — which also means Armado is a walking period piece, a man tragically behind the fashion he thinks he's ahead of.
more sweet understanding, a woman. Him, I, as my ever-esteemed duty
pricks me on, have sent to thee, to receive the meed of punishment, by
thy sweet Grace’s officer, Antony Dull, a man of good repute, carriage,
bearing, and estimation._
more sweet understanding, a woman. Him, I, as my ever-esteemed duty pricks me on, have sent to you, to receive the meed of punishment, by your sweet Grace’s officer, Antony Dull, a man of good repute, carriage, bearing, and estimation._
more sweet understanding, a woman. Him, I, as my ever-esteemed duty pricks me on, have sent to you, to receive the meed of punishment, by your sweet Grace’s officer, Antony Dull, a man of good repute, carriage, bearing, and estimation._
more sweet understanding, a woman
Me, an’t shall please you; I am Antony Dull.
Me, an’t will please you; I am Antony Dull.
Me, an’t gonna please you; I am Antony Dull.
me, an’t shall please you; i am antony dull
apprehended with the aforesaid swain, I keep her as a vessel of thy
law’s fury, and shall, at the least of thy sweet notice, bring her to
trial. Thine, in all compliments of devoted and heartburning heat of
duty,
Don Adriano de Armado._
apprehended with the aforesaid swain, I keep her as a vessel of your law’s fury, and shall, at the least of your sweet notice, bring her to trial. Thine, in all compliments of devoted and heareburning heat of duty, Don Adriano de Armado._
apprehended with the aforesaid swain, I keep her as a vessel of your law’s fury, and shall, at the least of your sweet notice, bring her to trial. Thine, in all compliments of devoted and heareburning heat of duty, Don Adriano de Armado._
apprehended with the aforesaid swain, i keep her as a vessel of your law’s fury, and shall, at the l
This is not so well as I looked for, but the best that ever I heard.
This is not so well as I looked for, but the best that ever I heard.
This is not so well as I looked for, but the best that ever I heard.
this is not so well as i looked for, but the best that ever i heard
Ay, the best for the worst. But, sirrah, what say you to this?
Ay, the best for the worst. But, sirrah, what say you to this?
Ay, the best for the worst. But, sirrah, what say you to this?
ay, the best for the worst
Sir, I confess the wench.
Sir, I confess the wench.
Sir, I confess the wench.
sir, i confess the wench
Did you hear the proclamation?
Did you hear the proclamation?
Did you hear the proclamation?
did you hear the proclamation
I do confess much of the hearing it, but little of the marking of it.
I do confess much of the hearing it, but little of the marking of it.
I do confess much of the hearing it, but little of the marking of it.
i do confess much of the hearing it, but little of the marking of it
It was proclaimed a year’s imprisonment to be taken with a wench.
It was proclaimed a year’s imprisonment to be taken with a wench.
It was proclaimed a year’s imprisonment to be taken with a wench.
it was proclaimed a year’s imprisonment to be taken with a wench
I was taken with none, sir. I was taken with a damsel.
I was taken with none, sir. I was taken with a damsel.
I was taken with none, sir. I was taken with a damsel.
i was taken with none, sir
Well, it was proclaimed “damsel”.
Well, it was proclaimed “damsel”.
Well, it was proclaimed “damsel”.
well, it was proclaimed “damsel”
This was no damsel neither, sir; she was a virgin.
This was no damsel neither, sir; she was a virgin.
This was no damsel neither, sir; she was a virgin.
this was no damsel neither, sir; she was a virgin
It is so varied too, for it was proclaimed “virgin”.
It is so varied too, for it was proclaimed “virgin”.
It is so varied too, for it was proclaimed “virgin”.
it is so varied too, for it was proclaimed “virgin”
If it were, I deny her virginity. I was taken with a maid.
If it were, I deny her virginity. I was taken with a maid.
If it were, I deny her virginity. I was taken with a maid.
if it were, i deny her virginity
This maid will not serve your turn, sir.
This maid will not serve your turn, sir.
This maid gonna not serve your turn, sir.
this maid will not serve your turn, sir
This maid will serve my turn, sir.
This maid will serve my turn, sir.
This maid gonna serve my turn, sir.
this maid will serve my turn, sir
Sir, I will pronounce your sentence: you shall fast a week with bran
and water.
Sir, I will pronounce your sentence: you shall fast a week with bran and water.
Sir, I will pronounce your sentence: you shall fast a week with bran and water.
sir, i will pronounce your sentence: you shall fast a week with bran and water
I had rather pray a month with mutton and porridge.
I had rather pray a month with mutton and porridge.
I had rather pray a month with mutton and porridge.
i had rather pray a month with mutton and porridge
And Don Armado shall be your keeper.
My Lord Berowne, see him delivered o’er;
And go we, lords, to put in practice that
Which each to other hath so strongly sworn.
And Don Armado shall be your keeper. My Lord Berowne, see him delivered o’er; And go we, lords, to put in practice that Which each to other has so strongly sworn.
And Don Armado shall be your keeper. My Lord Berowne, see him delivered o’er; And go we, lords, to put in practice that Which each to other has so strongly sworn.
and don armado shall be your keeper
I’ll lay my head to any good man’s hat
These oaths and laws will prove an idle scorn.
Sirrah, come on.
I’ll lay my head to any good man’s hat These oaths and laws will prove an idle scorn. Sirrah, come on.
I’ll lay my head to any good man’s hat These oaths and laws will prove an idle scorn. Sirrah, come on.
i’ll lay my head to any good man’s hat these oaths and laws will prove an idle scorn
I suffer for the truth, sir; for true it is I was taken with
Jaquenetta, and Jaquenetta is a true girl. And therefore welcome the
sour cup of prosperity! Affliction may one day smile again, and till
then, sit thee down, sorrow.
I suffer for the truth, sir; for true it is I was taken with Jaquenetta, and Jaquenetta is a true girl. And therefore welcome the sour cup of prosperity! Affliction may one day smile again, and till then, sit you down, sorrow.
I suffer for the truth, sir; for true it is I was taken with Jaquenetta, and Jaquenetta is a true girl. And therefore welcome the sour cup of prosperity! Affliction may one day smile again, and till then, sit you down, sorrow.
i suffer for the truth, sir; for true it is i was taken with jaquenetta, and jaquenetta is a true gi
The Reckoning
The play announces its central joke before it's even started: the oath is structurally doomed before the ink dries. Berowne sees it, says it out loud, and signs anyway — which is a different kind of folly than the other two. We leave feeling the comic inevitability of four young men who've just sprinted headlong into a wall they could plainly see.
If this happened today…
Picture four tech founders at an off-site who swear a "no distractions" pact for Q1 — no social media, no dating apps, no parties. They sign a shared Notion doc. One of them (Berowne) immediately points out that the CEO has a scheduled call with a supermodel investor that literally cannot be rescheduled. The CEO says, "Oh right, forgot about that." They all shrug and sign anyway. Then the office IT guy bursts in to report that one of the interns got caught fraternizing in the server room. Very much a Monday.