Leonato is the gracious host whose every speech performs hospitality — he manages the room, absorbs awkwardness, and translates his niece's sharp edges for confused guests. Watch for how he excuses Beatrice without actually stopping her.
I learn in this letter that Don Pedro of Arragon comes this night
to Messina.
I learn in this letter that Don Pedro of Arragon comes this night to Messina.
I learn in this letter that Don Pedro of Arragon comes this night to Messina.
i learn in this letter that don pedro of arragon comes this night to messina
He is very near by this: he was not three leagues off when I left him.
He is very near by this: he was not three leagues off when I left him.
He is very near by this: he was not three leagues off when I left him.
he is very near by this: he was not three leagues off when i left him
How many gentlemen have you lost in this action?
How many gentlemen have you lost in this action?
How many gentlemen have you lost in this action?
how many gentlemen have you lost in this action?
But few of any sort, and none of name.
But few of any sort, and none of name.
But few of any sort, and none of name.
but few of any sort, and none of name.
A victory is twice itself when the achiever brings home full
numbers. I find here that Don Pedro hath bestowed much honour on a
young Florentine called Claudio.
A victory is twice itself when the achiever brings home full numbers. I find here that Don Pedro has bestowed much honour on a young Florentine called Claudio.
A victory is twice itself when the achiever brings home full numbers. I find here that Don Pedro has bestowed much honour on a young Florentine called Claudio.
a victory is twice itself when the achiever brings home full numbers i find here that don pedro has bestowed much honour on a young florentine called claudio
Much deserved on his part, and equally remembered by Don Pedro.
He hath borne himself beyond the promise of his age, doing in the figure
of a lamb the feats of a lion: he hath indeed better bettered expectation
than you must expect of me to tell you how.
Much deserved on his part, and equally remembered by Don Pedro. He has borne himself beyond the promise of his age, doing in the figure of a lamb the feats of a lion: he has indeed better bettered expectation than you must expect of me to tell you how.
Much deserved on his part, and equally remembered by Don Pedro. He has borne himself beyond the promise of his age, doing in the figure of a lamb the feats of a lion: he has indeed better bettered expectation than you must expect of me to tell you how.
much deserved on his part and equally remembered by don pedro he has borne himself beyond the promise of his age doing in the figure of a lamb the feats of a lion: he has indeed better bettered expectation than you must expect of me to tell you how
He hath an uncle here in Messina will be very much glad of it.
He has an uncle here in Messina will be very much glad of it.
He has an uncle here in Messina will be very much glad of it.
he has an uncle here in messina will be very much glad of it
I have already delivered him letters, and there appears much
joy in him; even so much that joy could not show itself modest enough
without a badge of bitterness.
I have already delivered him letters, and there appears much joy in him; even so much that joy could not show itself modest enough without a badge of bitterness.
I have already delivered him letters, and there appears much joy in him; even so much that joy could not show itself modest enough without a badge of bitterness.
i have already delivered him letters and there appears much joy in him even so much that joy could not show itself modest enough without a badge of bitterness
Did he break out into tears?
Did he break out into tears?
Did he break out into tears?
did he break out into tears?
In great measure.
In great measure.
In great measure.
in great measure.
A kind overflow of kindness. There are no faces truer than those
that are so washed; how much better is it to weep at joy than to joy at
weeping!
A kind overflow of kindness. There are no faces truer than those that are so washed; how much better is it to weep at joy than to joy at weeping!
A kind overflow of kindness. There are no faces truer than those that are so washed; how much better is it to weep at joy than to joy at weeping!
a kind overflow of kindness there are no faces truer than those that are so washed how much better is it to weep at joy than to joy at weeping
Beatrice speaks in volleys — she builds a joke three layers deep before she lands it, and she always lands it. Watch for how she turns compliments into insults and insults into compliments in the same breath; her wit has a structural precision that looks like spontaneity.
I pray you, is Signior Mountanto returned from the wars or no?
I pray you, is Signior Mountanto returned from the wars or no?
I pray you, is Signior Mountanto returned from the wars or no?
i pray you is signior mountanto returned from the wars or no
I know none of that name, lady: there was none such in the army
of any sort.
I know none of that name, lady: there was none such in the army of any sort.
I know none of that name, lady: there was none such in the army of any sort.
i know none of that name lady: there was none such in the army of any sort
What is he that you ask for, niece?
What is he that you ask for, niece?
What is he that you ask for, niece?
what is he that you ask for, niece?
Hero says almost nothing in this scene, and what she does say is precise and safe. This is not timidity — it's the calculated silence of a young woman who knows that in a room full of powerful men, the wrong word costs more than the right word earns.
My cousin means Signior Benedick of Padua.
My cousin means Signior Benedick of Padua.
My cousin means Signior Benedick of Padua.
my cousin means signior benedick of padua.
O! he is returned, and as pleasant as ever he was.
O! he is returned, and as pleasant as ever he was.
O! he is returned, and as pleasant as ever he was.
o! he is returned, and as pleasant as ever he was.
He set up his bills here in Messina and challenged Cupid at the
flight; and my uncle’s fool, reading the challenge, subscribed for
Cupid, and challenged him at the bird-bolt. I pray you, how many hath he
killed and eaten in these wars? But how many hath he killed? for, indeed,
I promised to eat all of his killing.
He set up his bills here in Messina and challenged Cupid at the flight; and my uncle’s fool, reading the challenge, subscribed for Cupid, and challenged him at the bird-bolt. I pray you, how many has he killed and eaten in these wars? But how many has he killed? for, indeed, I promised to eat all of his killing.
He set up his bills here in Messina and challenged Cupid at the flight; and my uncle’s fool, reading the challenge, subscribed for Cupid, and challenged him at the bird-bolt. I pray you, how many has he killed and eaten in these wars? But how many has he killed? for, indeed, I promised to eat all of his killing.
he set up his bills here in messina and challenged cupid at the flight and my uncle’s fool reading the challenge subscribed for cupid and challenged him at the bird-bolt
Faith, niece, you tax Signior Benedick too much; but he’ll
be meet with you, I doubt it not.
Faith, niece, you tax Signior Benedick too much; but he’ll be meet with you, I doubt it not.
Faith, niece, you tax Signior Benedick too much; but he’ll be meet with you, I doubt it not.
faith niece you tax signior benedick too much but he’ll be meet with you i doubt it not
He hath done good service, lady, in these wars.
He has done good service, lady, in these wars.
He has done good service, lady, in these wars.
he has done good service, lady, in these wars.
You had musty victual, and he hath holp to eat it; he is a very
valiant trencher-man; he hath an excellent stomach.
You had musty victual, and he has holp to eat it; he is a very valiant trencher-man; he has an excellent stomach.
You had musty victual, and he has holp to eat it; he is a very valiant trencher-man; he has an excellent stomach.
you had musty victual and he has holp to eat it he is a very valiant trencher-man he has an excellent stomach
And a good soldier too, lady.
And a good soldier too, lady.
And a good soldier too, lady.
and a good soldier too, lady.
And a good soldier to a lady; but what is he to a lord?
And a good soldier to a lady; but what is he to a lord?
And a good soldier to a lady; but what is he to a lord?
and a good soldier to a lady; but what is he to a lord?
Shakespeare didn't invent the sparring lovers — the type goes back through Roman comedy to Greek originals. But in Much Ado he perfects the form: Benedick and Beatrice are not merely witty, they are specifically witty in ways that reveal their own wounds. Beatrice's jokes about Benedick always contain information — about his faithlessness, his male peer group, his tendency to retreat. Benedick's jokes about Beatrice always contain a kind of reluctant admiration. The 'merry war' is a structure that allows two people to remain intimate while maintaining the fiction of hostility. Every joke is also a touch. The question the play asks — and spends five acts answering — is what happens when the fiction is suspended, even for a moment.
A lord to a lord, a man to a man; stuffed with all honourable
virtues.
A lord to a lord, a man to a man; stuffed with all honourable virtues.
A lord to a lord, a man to a man; stuffed with all honourable virtues.
a lord to a lord a man to a man stuffed with all honourable virtues
It is so indeed; he is no less than a stuffed man; but for the
stuffing,—well, we are all mortal.
It is so indeed; he is no less than a stuffed man; but for the stuffing,—well, we are all mortal.
It is so indeed; he is no less than a stuffed man; but for the stuffing,—well, we are all mortal.
it is so indeed he is no less than a stuffed man but for the stuffing —well we are all mortal
You must not, sir, mistake my niece. There is a kind of merry war
betwixt Signior Benedick and her; they never meet but there’s a
skirmish of wit between them.
You must not, sir, mistake my niece. There is a kind of merry war between Signior Benedick and her; they never meet but there’s a skirmish of wit between them.
You must not, sir, mistake my niece. There is a kind of merry war between Signior Benedick and her; they never meet but there’s a skirmish of wit between them.
you must not sir mistake my niece there is a kind of merry war between signior benedick and her they never meet but there’s a skirmish of wit between them
Alas! he gets nothing by that. In our last conflict four of his
five wits went halting off, and now is the whole man governed with one! so
that if he have wit enough to keep himself warm, let him bear it for a
difference between himself and his horse; for it is all the wealth that he
hath left to be known a reasonable creature. Who is his companion now? He
hath every month a new sworn brother.
Alas! he gets nothing by that. In our last conflict four of his five wits went halting off, and now is the whole man governed with one! so that if he have wit enough to keep himself warm, let him bear it for a difference between himself and his horse; for it is all the wealth that he has left to be known a reasonable creature. Who is his companion now? He has every month a new sworn brother.
Alas! he gets nothing by that. In our last conflict four of his five wits went halting off, and now is the whole man governed with one! so that if he have wit enough to keep himself warm, let him bear it for a difference between himself and his horse; for it is all the wealth that he has left to be known a reasonable creature. Who is his companion now? He has every month a new sworn brother.
alas he gets nothing by that in our last conflict four of his five wits went halting off and now is the whole man governed with one so that if he have wit enough to keep himself warm
Is’t possible?
Is’t possible?
Is’t possible?
is’t possible?
Very easily possible: he wears his faith but as the fashion of
his hat; it ever changes with the next block.
Very easily possible: he wears his faith but as the fashion of his hat; it ever changes with the next block.
Very easily possible: he wears his faith but as the fashion of his hat; it ever changes with the next block.
very easily possible: he wears his faith but as the fashion of his hat it ever changes with the next block
I see, lady, the gentleman is not in your books.
I see, lady, the gentleman is not in your books.
I see, lady, the gentleman isn't in your books.
i see, lady, the gentleman isn't in your books.
No; and he were, I would burn my study. But I pray you, who is
his companion? Is there no young squarer now that will make a voyage with
him to the devil?
No; and he were, I would burn my study. But I pray you, who is his companion? Is there no young squarer now that will make a voyage with him to the devil?
No; and he were, I would burn my study. But I pray you, who is his companion? Is there no young squarer now that will make a voyage with him to the devil?
no and he were i would burn my study but i pray you who is his companion
He is most in the company of the right noble Claudio.
He is most in the company of the right noble Claudio.
He is most in the company of the right noble Claudio.
he is most in the company of the right noble claudio.
O Lord, he will hang upon him like a disease: he is sooner
caught than the pestilence, and the taker runs presently mad. God help the
noble Claudio! If he have caught the Benedick, it will cost him a thousand
pound ere he be cured.
O Lord, he will hang upon him like a disease: he is sooner caught than the pestilence, and the taker runs presently mad. God help the noble Claudio! If he have caught the Benedick, it will cost him a thousand pound before he be cured.
O Lord, he will hang upon him like a disease: he is sooner caught than the pestilence, and the taker runs presently mad. God help the noble Claudio! If he have caught the Benedick, it will cost him a thousand pound before he be cured.
o lord he will hang upon him like a disease: he is sooner caught than the pestilence and the taker runs presently mad god help the noble claudio if he have caught the benedick
I will hold friends with you, lady.
I will hold friends with you, lady.
I will hold friends with you, lady.
i will hold friends with you, lady.
Do, good friend.
Do, good friend.
Do, good friend.
do, good friend.
You will never run mad, niece.
You will never run mad, niece.
You will never run mad, niece.
you will never run mad, niece.
No, not till a hot January.
No, not till a hot January.
No, not till a hot January.
no, not till a hot january.
Don Pedro is approached.
Don Pedro is approached.
Don Pedro is approached.
don pedro is approached.
Don Pedro speaks as a man who is always the most powerful person in the room — not arrogantly, but with the easy warmth of someone who knows nobody will contradict him. Watch for how he makes decisions on behalf of others as casually as he'd order a drink.
Good Signior Leonato, you are come to meet your trouble: the
fashion of the world is to avoid cost, and you encounter it.
Good Signior Leonato, you are come to meet your trouble: the fashion of the world is to avoid cost, and you encounter it.
Good Signior Leonato, you are come to meet your trouble: the fashion of the world is to avoid cost, and you encounter it.
good signior leonato you are come to meet your trouble: the fashion of the world is to avoid cost and you encounter it
Never came trouble to my house in the likeness of your Grace, for
trouble being gone, comfort should remain; but when you depart from me,
sorrow abides and happiness takes his leave.
Never came trouble to my house in the likeness of your Grace, for trouble being gone, comfort should remain; but when you depart from me, sorrow abides and happiness takes his leave.
Never came trouble to my house in the likeness of your Grace, for trouble being gone, comfort should remain; but when you depart from me, sorrow abides and happiness takes his leave.
never came trouble to my house in the likeness of your grace for trouble being gone comfort should remain but when you depart from me sorrow abides and happiness takes his leave
You embrace your charge too willingly. I think this is
your daughter.
You embrace your charge too willingly. I think this is your daughter.
You embrace your charge too willingly. I think this is your daughter.
you embrace your charge too willingly i think this is your daughter
Her mother hath many times told me so.
Her mother has many times told me so.
Her mother has many times told me so.
her mother has many times told me so.
Benedick performs certainty. Every speech is a declaration, a proclamation, a wager — he commits to positions with such total confidence that you almost miss how quickly he moves when the position becomes untenable. Watch for the moments he exits rather than concedes.
Were you in doubt, sir, that you asked her?
Were you in doubt, sir, that you asked her?
Were you in doubt, sir, that you asked her?
were you in doubt, sir, that you asked her?
Signior Benedick, no; for then were you a child.
Signior Benedick, no; for then were you a child.
Signior Benedick, no; for then were you a child.
signior benedick, no; for then were you a child.
You have it full, Benedick: we may guess by this what you are,
being a man. Truly the lady fathers herself. Be happy, lady, for you are
like an honourable father.
You have it full, Benedick: we may guess by this what you are, being a man. Truly the lady fathers herself. Be happy, lady, for you are like an honourable father.
You have it full, Benedick: we may guess by this what you are, being a man. Truly the lady fathers herself. Be happy, lady, for you are like an honourable father.
you have it full benedick: we may guess by this what you are being a man truly the lady fathers herself be happy
Don Pedro's instant offer to woo Hero on Claudio's behalf seems like pure generosity. He is a prince, after all — his intercession guarantees success where a young soldier's suit might fail. But watch what the plan actually does: it removes Claudio entirely from his own courtship. Claudio doesn't win Hero; Don Pedro wins her and gives her to him. This matters because the ease with which Claudio later loses faith in Hero mirrors the ease with which she was given to him. He never had to prove himself. He never had to face uncertainty. When Don John plants the seed of doubt, Claudio believes it immediately — partly because his love was never tested by genuine difficulty. Don Pedro's generosity, well-intentioned as it is, has inadvertently prepared Claudio to fail when things get hard.
If Signior Leonato be her father, she would not have his head on
her shoulders for all Messina, as like him as she is.
If Signior Leonato be her father, she would not have his head on her shoulders for all Messina, as like him as she is.
If Signior Leonato be her father, she wouldn't have his head on her shoulders for all Messina, as like him as she is.
if signior leonato be her father she wouldn't have his head on her shoulders for all messina as like him as she is
I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior Benedick:
nobody marks you.
I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior Benedick: nobody marks you.
I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior Benedick: nobody marks you.
i wonder that you will still be talking signior benedick: nobody marks you
What! my dear Lady Disdain, are you yet living?
What! my dear Lady Disdain, are you yet living?
What! my dear Lady Disdain, are you yet living?
what! my dear lady disdain, are you yet living?
Is it possible Disdain should die while she hath such meet food
to feed it as Signior Benedick? Courtesy itself must convert to disdain if
you come in her presence.
Is it possible Disdain should die while she has such meet food to feed it as Signior Benedick? Courtesy itself must convert to disdain if you come in her presence.
Is it possible Disdain should die while she has such meet food to feed it as Signior Benedick? Courtesy itself must convert to disdain if you come in her presence.
is it possible disdain should die while she has such meet food to feed it as signior benedick courtesy itself must convert to disdain if you come in her presence
Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certain I am loved of all
ladies, only you excepted; and I would I could find in my heart that I had
not a hard heart; for, truly, I love none.
Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certain I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted; and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart; for, truly, I love none.
Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certain I'm loved of all ladies, only you excepted; and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart; for, truly, I love none.
then is courtesy a turncoat but it is certain i'm loved of all ladies only you excepted and i would i could find in my heart that i had not a hard heart for
A dear happiness to women: they would else have been troubled
with a pernicious suitor. I thank God and my cold blood, I am of your
humour for that. I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear
he loves me.
A dear happiness to women: they would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor. I thank God and my cold blood, I am of your humour for that. I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.
A dear happiness to women: they would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor. I thank God and my cold blood, I'm of your humour for that. I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.
a dear happiness to women: they would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor i thank god and my cold blood i'm of your humour for that i had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me
God keep your Ladyship still in that mind; so some gentleman or
other shall scape a predestinate scratched face.
God keep your Ladyship still in that mind; so some gentleman or other shall scape a predestinate scratched face.
God keep your Ladyship still in that mind; so some gentleman or other shall scape a predestinate scratched face.
god keep your ladyship still in that mind so some gentleman or other shall scape a predestinate scratched face
Scratching could not make it worse, and ’twere such a face
as yours were.
Scratching could not make it worse, and ’twere such a face as yours were.
Scratching could not make it worse, and ’twere such a face as yours were.
scratching could not make it worse and ’twere such a face as yours were
Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher.
Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher.
Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher.
well, you are a rare parrot-teacher.
A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.
A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.
A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.
a bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.
I would my horse had the speed of your tongue, and so good a
continuer. But keep your way, i’ God’s name; I have done.
I would my horse had the speed of your tongue, and so good a continuer. But keep your way, i’ God’s name; I have done.
I would my horse had the speed of your tongue, and so good a continuer. But keep your way, i’ God’s name; I have done.
i would my horse had the speed of your tongue and so good a continuer but keep your way i’ god’s name i have done
You always end with a jade’s trick: I know you of old.
You always end with a jade’s trick: I know you of old.
You always end with a jade’s trick: I know you of old.
you always end with a jade’s trick: i know you of old.
That is the sum of all, Leonato: Signior Claudio, and Signior
Benedick, my dear friend Leonato hath invited you all. I tell him we shall
stay here at the least a month, and he heartly prays some occasion may
detain us longer: I dare swear he is no hypocrite, but prays from his
heart.
That is the sum of all, Leonato: Signior Claudio, and Signior Benedick, my dear friend Leonato has invited you all. I tell him we shall stay here at the least a month, and he heartly prays some occasion may detain us longer: I dare swear he is no hypocrite, but prays from his heart.
That is the sum of all, Leonato: Signior Claudio, and Signior Benedick, my dear friend Leonato has invited you all. I tell him we shall stay here at the least a month, and he heartly prays some occasion may detain us longer: I dare swear he is no hypocrite, but prays from his heart.
that is the sum of all leonato: signior claudio and signior benedick my dear friend leonato has invited you all i tell him we shall stay here at the least a month
If you swear, my lord, you shall not be forsworn. [To
Don John] Let me bid you welcome, my lord: being reconciled to
the Prince your brother, I owe you all duty.
If you swear, my lord, you shall not be forsworn. [To Don John] Let me bid you welcome, my lord: being reconciled to the Prince your brother, I owe you all duty.
If you swear, my lord, you shan't be forsworn. [To Don John] Let me bid you welcome, my lord: being reconciled to the Prince your brother, I owe you all duty.
if you swear my lord you shan't be forsworn [to don john] let me bid you welcome my lord: being reconciled to the prince your brother
Don John's every speech is minimalist by design — 'I am not of many words' is his one-line manifesto. Watch for the strategic silences, and for the times when a single flat sentence from him lands harder than a paragraph from anyone else.
I thank you: I am not of many words, but I thank you.
I thank you: I am not of many words, but I thank you.
I thank you: I'm not of many words, but I thank you.
i thank you: i'm not of many words, but i thank you.
Please it your Grace lead on?
Please it your Grace lead on?
Please it your Grace lead on?
please it your grace lead on?
Your hand, Leonato; we will go together.
Your hand, Leonato; we will go together.
Your hand, Leonato; we will go together.
your hand, leonato; we will go together.
Claudio speaks in questions when he's uncertain and in verse when he's feeling poetic — the shift between prose and iambic pentameter tracks his emotional state like a barometer. Watch for how quickly his verse turns lavish when he talks about Hero.
Benedick, didst thou note the daughter of Signior Leonato?
Benedick, did you note the daughter of Signior Leonato?
Benedick, did you note the daughter of Signior Leonato?
benedick, did you note the daughter of signior leonato?
I noted her not; but I looked on her.
I noted her not; but I looked on her.
I noted her not; but I looked on her.
i noted her not; but i looked on her.
Is she not a modest young lady?
Is she not a modest young lady?
Is she not a modest young lady?
is she not a modest young lady?
Do you question me, as an honest man should do, for my simple
true judgment; or would you have me speak after my custom, as being a
professed tyrant to their sex?
Do you question me, as an honest man should do, for my simple true judgment; or would you have me speak after my custom, as being a professed tyrant to their sex?
Do you question me, as an honest man should do, for my simple true judgment; or would you have me speak after my custom, as being a professed tyrant to their sex?
do you question me as an honest man should do for my simple true judgment or would you have me speak after my custom as being a professed tyrant to their sex
No; I pray thee speak in sober judgment.
No; I pray you speak in sober judgment.
No; I pray you speak in sober judgment.
no; i pray you speak in sober judgment.
Why, i’ faith, methinks she’s too low for a high
praise, too brown for a fair praise, and too little for a great praise;
only this commendation I can afford her, that were she other than she is,
she were unhandsome, and being no other but as she is, I do not like her.
Why, i’ faith, I think she’s too low for a high praise, too brown for a fair praise, and too little for a great praise; only this commendation I can afford her, that were she other than she is, she were unhandsome, and being no other but as she is, I do not like her.
Why, i’ faith, I think she’s too low for a high praise, too brown for a fair praise, and too little for a great praise; only this commendation I can afford her, that were she other than she is, she were unhandsome, and being no other but as she is, I don't like her.
why i’ faith i think she’s too low for a high praise too brown for a fair praise and too little for a great praise
Much Ado begins with soldiers returning from a campaign. This is not just setting — it is psychology. These men have been in a world governed by different rules: kill or be killed, trust your brother in arms, perform courage. Returning to civilian life means relearning how to feel things that aren't immediately useful. Claudio's romantic awakening is the direct result of having been 'on hold' emotionally — he liked Hero before the war, but a soldier can't afford those feelings. Benedick's anti-love stance is a soldier's pragmatism carried too far into peacetime. Even Don John's villainy has a soldier's logic: he was defeated, he was pardoned, and he cannot reconcile the humiliation. The play is, among other things, about what happens to men who've been living in a structure of violence when the structure is removed.
Thou thinkest I am in sport: I pray thee tell me truly how thou
likest her.
you thinkest I am in sport: I pray you tell me truly how you likest her.
you thinkest I'm in sport: I pray you tell me truly how you likest her.
you thinkest i'm in sport: i pray you tell me truly how you likest her
Would you buy her, that you enquire after her?
Would you buy her, that you enquire after her?
Would you buy her, that you enquire after her?
would you buy her, that you enquire after her?
Can the world buy such a jewel?
Can the world buy such a jewel?
Can the world buy such a jewel?
can the world buy such a jewel?
Yea, and a case to put it into. But speak you this with a sad
brow, or do you play the flouting Jack, to tell us Cupid is a good
hare-finder, and Vulcan a rare carpenter? Come, in what key shall a man
take you, to go in the song?
Yea, and a case to put it into. But speak you this with a sad brow, or do you play the flouting Jack, to tell us Cupid is a good hare-finder, and Vulcan a rare carpenter? Come, in what key shall a man take you, to go in the song?
Yea, and a case to put it into. But speak you this with a sad brow, or do you play the flouting Jack, to tell us Cupid is a good hare-finder, and Vulcan a rare carpenter? Come, in what key shall a man take you, to go in the song?
yea and a case to put it into but speak you this with a sad brow or do you play the flouting jack to tell us cupid is a good hare-finder
In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever I looked on.
In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever I looked on.
In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever I looked on.
in mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever i looked on.
I can see yet without spectacles and I see no such matter: there’s
her cousin and she were not possessed with a fury, exceeds her as much in
beauty as the first of May doth the last of December. But I hope you have
no intent to turn husband, have you?
I can see yet without spectacles and I see no such matter: there’s her cousin and she were not possessed with a fury, exceeds her as much in beauty as the first of May does the last of December. But I hope you have no intent to turn husband, have you?
I can see yet without spectacles and I see no such matter: there’s her cousin and she were not possessed with a fury, exceeds her as much in beauty as the first of May does the last of December. But I hope you have no intent to turn husband, have you?
i can see yet without spectacles and i see no such matter: there’s her cousin and she were not possessed with a fury exceeds her as much in beauty as the first of may does the last of december but i hope you have no intent to turn husband have you
I would scarce trust myself, though I had sworn to the contrary,
if Hero would be my wife.
I would scarce trust myself, though I had sworn to the contrary, if Hero would be my wife.
I would scarce trust myself, though I had sworn to the contrary, if Hero would be my wife.
i would scarce trust myself though i had sworn to the contrary if hero would be my wife
Is’t come to this, in faith? Hath not the world one
man but he will wear his cap with suspicion? Shall I never see a bachelor
of threescore again? Go to, i’ faith; and thou wilt needs thrust thy
neck into a yoke, wear the print of it and sigh away Sundays.
Is’t come to this, in faith? has not the world one man but he will wear his cap with suspicion? Shall I never see a bachelor of threescore again? Go to, i’ faith; and you wilt needs thrust your neck into a yoke, wear the print of it and sigh away Sundays.
Is’t come to this, in faith? hasn't the world one man but he will wear his cap with suspicion? Shall I never see a bachelor of threescore again? Go to, i’ faith; and you wilt needs thrust your neck into a yoke, wear the print of it and sigh away Sundays.
is’t come to this in faith hasn't the world one man but he will wear his cap with suspicion shall i never see a bachelor of threescore again go to
What secret hath held you here, that you followed not to
Leonato’s?
What secret has held you here, that you followed not to Leonato’s?
What secret has held you here, that you followed not to Leonato’s?
what secret has held you here that you followed not to leonato’s
I would your Grace would constrain me to tell.
I would your Grace would constrain me to tell.
I would your Grace would constrain me to tell.
i would your grace would constrain me to tell.
I charge thee on thy allegiance.
I charge you on your allegiance.
I charge you on your allegiance.
i charge you on your allegiance.
You hear, Count Claudio: I can be secret as a dumb man; I would
have you think so; but on my allegiance mark you this, on my allegiance:
he is in love. With who? now that is your Grace’s part. Mark how
short his answer is: with Hero, Leonato’s short daughter.
You hear, Count Claudio: I can be secret as a dumb man; I would have you think so; but on my allegiance mark you this, on my allegiance: he is in love. With who? now that is your Grace’s part. Mark how short his answer is: with Hero, Leonato’s short daughter.
You hear, Count Claudio: I can be secret as a dumb man; I would have you think so; but on my allegiance mark you this, on my allegiance: he is in love. With who? now that is your Grace’s part. Mark how short his answer is: with Hero, Leonato’s short daughter.
you hear count claudio: i can be secret as a dumb man i would have you think so but on my allegiance mark you this on my allegiance: he is in love
If this were so, so were it uttered.
If this were so, so were it uttered.
If this were so, so were it uttered.
if this were so, so were it uttered.
Like the old tale, my lord: ‘it is not so, nor
’twas not so; but indeed, God forbid it should be so.’
Like the old tale, my lord: ‘it is not so, nor ’twas not so; but indeed, God forbid it should be so.’
Like the old tale, my lord: ‘it isn't so, nor ’twas not so; but indeed, God forbid it should be so.’
like the old tale my lord: ‘it isn't so nor ’twas not so but indeed god forbid it should be so
If my passion change not shortly, God forbid it should be otherwise.
If my passion change not shortly, God forbid it should be otherwise.
If my passion change not shortly, God forbid it should be otherwise.
if my passion change not shortly god forbid it should be otherwise
Amen, if you love her; for the lady is very well worthy.
Amen, if you love her; for the lady is very well worthy.
Amen, if you love her; for the lady is very well worthy.
amen, if you love her; for the lady is very well worthy.
You speak this to fetch me in, my lord.
You speak this to fetch me in, my lord.
You speak this to fetch me in, my lord.
you speak this to fetch me in, my lord.
By my troth, I speak my thought.
By my troth, I speak my thought.
By my troth, I speak my thought.
by my troth, i speak my thought.
And in faith, my lord, I spoke mine.
And in faith, my lord, I spoke mine.
And in faith, my lord, I spoke mine.
and in faith, my lord, i spoke mine.
And by my two faiths and troths, my lord, I spoke mine.
And by my two faiths and troths, my lord, I spoke mine.
And by my two faiths and troths, my lord, I spoke mine.
and by my two faiths and troths, my lord, i spoke mine.
That I love her, I feel.
That I love her, I feel.
That I love her, I feel.
that i love her, i feel.
That she is worthy, I know.
That she is worthy, I know.
That she is worthy, I know.
that she is worthy, i know.
Much Ado is almost entirely in prose — unusual for a Shakespeare comedy, where verse was the prestige register. The choice is meaningful: prose is the language of wit, speed, improvisation, and social equality. Characters spar in prose as equals. But watch for the moments when the play shifts to verse: Claudio's love-speech in this scene, Don Pedro's offer, the formal moments of courtship. Verse marks sincerity, weight, and emotional exposure. When characters are performing, they're in prose. When they're genuinely feeling something — when the armor is down — the language shifts. This makes Claudio's verse speeches about Hero curiously vulnerable: he can only access his real feelings in a form that itself signals that the social wit has stopped.
That I neither feel how she should be loved, nor know how she
should be worthy, is the opinion that fire cannot melt out of me: I will
die in it at the stake.
That I neither feel how she should be loved, nor know how she should be worthy, is the opinion that fire cannot melt out of me: I will die in it at the stake.
That I neither feel how she should be loved, nor know how she should be worthy, is the opinion that fire can't melt out of me: I will die in it at the stake.
that i neither feel how she should be loved nor know how she should be worthy is the opinion that fire can't melt out of me: i will die in it at the stake
Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in the despite of beauty.
you wast ever an obstinate heretic in the despite of beauty.
you wast ever an obstinate heretic in the despite of beauty.
you wast ever an obstinate heretic in the despite of beauty.
And never could maintain his part but in the force of his will.
And never could maintain his part but in the force of his will.
And never could maintain his part but in the force of his will.
and never could maintain his part but in the force of his will
That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that she brought me up,
I likewise give her most humble thanks; but that I will have a recheat
winded in my forehead, or hang my bugle in an invisible baldrick, all
women shall pardon me. Because I will not do them the wrong to mistrust
any, I will do myself the right to trust none; and the fine is,—for the
which I may go the finer,—I will live a bachelor.
That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that she brought me up, I likewise give her most humble thanks; but that I will have a recheat winded in my forehead, or hang my bugle in an invisible baldrick, all women shall pardon me. Because I will not do them the wrong to mistrust any, I will do myself the right to trust none; and the fine is,—for the which I may go the finer,—I will live a bachelor.
That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that she brought me up, I likewise give her most humble thanks; but that I will have a recheat winded in my forehead, or hang my bugle in an invisible baldrick, all women shall pardon me. Because I won't do them the wrong to mistrust any, I will do myself the right to trust none; and the fine is,—for the which I may go the finer,—I will live a bachelor.
that a woman conceived me i thank her that she brought me up i likewise give her most humble thanks but that i will have a recheat winded in my forehead
I shall see thee, ere I die, look pale with love.
I shall see you, before I die, look pale with love.
I shall see you, before I die, look pale with love.
i shall see you, before i die, look pale with love.
With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord; not with
love: prove that ever I lose more blood with love than I will get again
with drinking, pick out mine eyes with a ballad-maker’s pen and hang
me up at the door of a brothel-house for the sign of blind Cupid.
With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord; not with love: prove that ever I lose more blood with love than I will get again with drinking, pick out mine eyes with a ballad-maker’s pen and hang me up at the door of a brothel-house for the sign of blind Cupid.
With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord; not with love: prove that ever I lose more blood with love than I will get again with drinking, pick out mine eyes with a ballad-maker’s pen and hang me up at the door of a brothel-house for the sign of blind Cupid.
with anger with sickness or with hunger my lord not with love: prove that ever i lose more blood with love than i will get again with drinking
Well, if ever thou dost fall from this faith, thou wilt prove a
notable argument.
Well, if ever you do fall from this faith, you wilt prove a notable argument.
Well, if ever you do fall from this faith, you wilt prove a notable argument.
well if ever you do fall from this faith you wilt prove a notable argument
If I do, hang me in a bottle like a cat and shoot at me; and he
that hits me, let him be clapped on the shoulder and called Adam.
If I do, hang me in a bottle like a cat and shoot at me; and he that hits me, let him be clapped on the shoulder and called Adam.
If I do, hang me in a bottle like a cat and shoot at me; and he that hits me, let him be clapped on the shoulder and called Adam.
if i do hang me in a bottle like a cat and shoot at me and he that hits me let him be clapped on the shoulder and called adam
Well, as time shall try: ‘In time the savage bull
doth bear the yoke.’
Well, as time shall try: ‘In time the savage bull does bear the yoke.’
Well, as time shall try: ‘In time the savage bull does bear the yoke.’
well as time shall try: ‘in time the savage bull does bear the yoke ’
The savage bull may; but if ever the sensible Benedick bear it,
pluck off the bull’s horns and set them in my forehead; and let me
be vilely painted, and in such great letters as they write, ‘Here is
good horse to hire,’ let them signify under my sign ‘Here you
may see Benedick the married man.’
The savage bull may; but if ever the sensible Benedick bear it, pluck off the bull’s horns and set them in my forehead; and let me be vilely painted, and in such great letters as they write, ‘Here is good horse to hire,’ let them signify under my sign ‘Here you may see Benedick the married man.’
The savage bull may; but if ever the sensible Benedick bear it, pluck off the bull’s horns and set them in my forehead; and let me be vilely painted, and in such great letters as they write, ‘Here is good horse to hire,’ let them signify under my sign ‘Here you may see Benedick the married man.’
the savage bull may but if ever the sensible benedick bear it pluck off the bull’s horns and set them in my forehead and let me be vilely painted and in such great letters as they write
If this should ever happen, thou wouldst be horn-mad.
If this should ever happen, you wouldst be horn-mad.
If this should ever happen, you wouldst be horn-mad.
if this should ever happen, you wouldst be horn-mad.
Nay, if Cupid have not spent all his quiver in Venice, thou
wilt quake for this shortly.
no, if Cupid have not spent all his quiver in Venice, you wilt quake for this shortly.
no, if Cupid haven't spent all his quiver in Venice, you wilt quake for this shortly.
no if cupid haven't spent all his quiver in venice you wilt quake for this shortly
I look for an earthquake too then.
I look for an earthquake too then.
I look for an earthquake too then.
i look for an earthquake too then.
Well, you will temporize with the hours. In the meantime,
good Signior Benedick, repair to Leonato’s: commend me to him
and tell him I will not fail him at supper; for indeed he hath made
great preparation.
Well, you will temporize with the hours. In the meantime, good Signior Benedick, repair to Leonato’s: commend me to him and tell him I will not fail him at supper; for indeed he has made great preparation.
Well, you will temporize with the hours. In the meantime, good Signior Benedick, repair to Leonato’s: commend me to him and tell him I won't fail him at supper; for indeed he has made great preparation.
well you will temporize with the hours in the meantime good signior benedick repair to leonato’s: commend me to him and tell him i won't fail him at supper
I have almost matter enough in me for such an embassage; and so
I commit you—
I have almost matter enough in me for such an embassage; and so I commit you—
I have almost matter enough in me for such an embassage; and so I commit you—
i have almost matter enough in me for such an embassage and so i commit you—
To the tuition of God: from my house, if I had it,—
To the tuition of God: from my house, if I had it,—
To the tuition of God: from my house, if I had it,—
to the tuition of god: from my house, if i had it,—
The sixth of July: your loving friend, Benedick.
The sixth of July: your loving friend, Benedick.
The sixth of July: your loving friend, Benedick.
the sixth of july: your loving friend, benedick.
Nay, mock not, mock not. The body of your discourse is sometime
guarded with fragments, and the guards are but slightly basted on neither:
ere you flout old ends any further, examine your conscience: and so I
leave you.
no, mock not, mock not. The body of your discourse is sometime guarded with fragments, and the guards are but slightly basted on neither: before you flout old ends any further, examine your conscience: and so I leave you.
no, mock not, mock not. The body of your discourse is sometime guarded with fragments, and the guards are but slightly basted on neither: before you flout old ends any further, examine your conscience: and so I leave you.
no mock not mock not the body of your discourse is sometime guarded with fragments and the guards are but slightly basted on neither: before you flout old ends any further
My liege, your Highness now may do me good.
My liege, your Highness now may do me good.
My liege, your Highness now may do me good.
my liege, your highness now may do me good.
My love is thine to teach: teach it but how,
And thou shalt see how apt it is to learn
Any hard lesson that may do thee good.
My love is yours to teach: teach it but how, And you shalt see how apt it is to learn Any hard lesson that may do you good.
My love is yours to teach: teach it but how, And you shalt see how apt it is to learn Any hard lesson that may do you good.
my love is yours to teach: teach it but how and you shalt see how apt it is to learn any hard lesson that may do you good
Hath Leonato any son, my lord?
has Leonato any son, my lord?
has Leonato any son, my lord?
has leonato any son, my lord?
No child but Hero; she’s his only heir.
Dost thou affect her, Claudio?
No child but Hero; she’s his only heir. do you affect her, Claudio?
No child but Hero; she’s his only heir. do you affect her, Claudio?
no child but hero she’s his only heir do you affect her claudio
O! my lord,
When you went onward on this ended action,
I looked upon her with a soldier’s eye,
That lik’d, but had a rougher task in hand
Than to drive liking to the name of love;
But now I am return’d, and that war-thoughts
Have left their places vacant, in their rooms
Come thronging soft and delicate desires,
All prompting me how fair young Hero is,
Saying, I lik’d her ere I went to wars.
O! my lord, When you went onward on this ended action, I looked upon her with a soldier’s eye, That lik’d, but had a rougher task in hand Than to drive liking to the name of love; But now I am return’d, and that war-thoughts Have left their places vacant, in their rooms Come thronging soft and delicate desires, All prompting me how fair young Hero is, Saying, I lik’d her before I went to wars.
O! my lord, When you went onward on this ended action, I looked upon her with a soldier’s eye, That lik’d, but had a rougher task in hand Than to drive liking to the name of love; But now I'm return’d, and that war-thoughts Have left their places vacant, in their rooms Come thronging soft and delicate desires, All prompting me how fair young Hero is, Saying, I lik’d her before I went to wars.
o my lord when you went onward on this ended action i looked upon her with a soldier’s eye that lik’d
Thou wilt be like a lover presently,
And tire the hearer with a book of words.
If thou dost love fair Hero, cherish it,
And I will break with her, and with her father,
And thou shalt have her. Was’t not to this end
That thou began’st to twist so fine a story?
you wilt be like a lover presently, And tire the hearer with a book of words. If you do love fair Hero, cherish it, And I will break with her, and with her father, And you shalt have her. Was’t not to this end That you began’st to twist so fine a story?
you wilt be like a lover presently, And tire the hearer with a book of words. If you do love fair Hero, cherish it, And I will break with her, and with her father, And you shalt have her. Was’t not to this end That you began’st to twist so fine a story?
you wilt be like a lover presently and tire the hearer with a book of words if you do love fair hero cherish it and i will break with her
How sweetly you do minister to love,
That know love’s grief by his complexion!
But lest my liking might too sudden seem,
I would have salv’d it with a longer treatise.
How sweetly you do minister to love, That know love’s grief by his complexion! But lest my liking might too sudden seem, I would have salv’d it with a longer treatise.
How sweetly you do minister to love, That know love’s grief by his complexion! But lest my liking might too sudden seem, I would have salv’d it with a longer treatise.
how sweetly you do minister to love that know love’s grief by his complexion but lest my liking might too sudden seem i would have salv’d it with a longer treatise
What need the bridge much broader than the flood?
The fairest grant is the necessity.
Look, what will serve is fit: ’tis once, thou lov’st,
And I will fit thee with the remedy.
I know we shall have revelling tonight:
I will assume thy part in some disguise,
And tell fair Hero I am Claudio;
And in her bosom I’ll unclasp my heart,
And take her hearing prisoner with the force
And strong encounter of my amorous tale:
Then after to her father will I break;
And the conclusion is, she shall be thine.
In practice let us put it presently.
What need the bridge much broader than the flood? The fairest grant is the necessity. Look, what will serve is fit: ’tis once, you lov’st, And I will fit you with the remedy. I know we shall have revelling tonight: I will assume your part in some disguise, And tell fair Hero I am Claudio; And in her bosom I’ll unclasp my heart, And take her hearing prisoner with the force And strong encounter of my amorous tale: Then after to her father will I break; And the conclusion is, she shall be yours. In practice let us put it presently.
What need the bridge much broader than the flood? The fairest grant is the necessity. Look, what will serve is fit: ’tis once, you lov’st, And I will fit you with the remedy. I know we shall have revelling tonight: I will assume your part in some disguise, And tell fair Hero I'm Claudio; And in her bosom I’ll unclasp my heart, And take her hearing prisoner with the force And strong encounter of my amorous tale: Then after to her father will I break; And the conclusion is, she shall be yours. In practice let us put it presently.
what need the bridge much broader than the flood the fairest grant is the necessity look what will serve is fit: ’tis once you lov’st
The Reckoning
The play arrives fully formed: the 'merry war' between Benedick and Beatrice crackles with something more than contempt, even as both insist they want nothing to do with love. Claudio's romantic awakening is touching and slightly alarming — he's a soldier who's never had time to feel things, and now the gates are open. By the end, Don Pedro has taken charge of everyone's romantic future in the most casual possible way, and we're already a little suspicious of how well that will go.
If this happened today…
A squad of soldiers returns from deployment and rolls up to a house party at the base commander's mansion. The host's daughter immediately catches the eye of the youngest officer, who asks his buddy 'did you notice the daughter?' The buddy says, diplomatically, that she's fine. The real drama is the verbal sparring match between a sharp-tongued woman at the party and the officer who clearly has history with her — they can't stop taking shots at each other while everyone else pretends not to watch. Then the senior officer casually volunteers to download a dating app on behalf of the younger guy and match him. It'll be fine.