Much Ado About Nothing Quotes

“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.’”

(Benedick) (Act 1, Scene 1)

Analysis

Benedick delivers this speech to Claudio and Don Pedro. Don Pedro has just mentioned that even the wildest man will finally submit to love and enter matrimony, using the metaphor that in time, even a savage bull will bear the yoke of a woman’s will. Benedick, however, will not abide by this adage and mocks it. The “sensible” Benedick refers to the rational Benedick, a person who is too logical and intelligent to submit to the irrational ways of love. Benedick portrays a picture for his friends that in case if he does get married, they can very well pluck the bull’s horns and plant these on his head. This alludes to a Renaissance tradition where it was believed that a man whose wife committed adultery had horns on his head, thus signifying he was a cuckold. This imagery shows that Benedick believes that if he indeed marries someone, he is bound to be cuckolded, a fear of women and infidelity that extends to Claudio too. The bull imagery is repeated several times in the play.

“He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man. He that is more than a youth is not for me, and he that is less than a man, I am not for him.”

(Beatrice) (Act 2, Scene 1)

Analysis

These lines said by Beatrice is a witty explanation from her as to why she must remain unmarried and eventually be an old maid. No man would be perfect for her as a man without a beard is not manly enough to satiate her desires and a man with a beard is not youthful enough for her. Beatrice alone doesn’t suffer this particular dilemma as in Renaissance literature and culture, particularly during Shakespeare’s time, youths on the cusp of manhood are often the most coveted objects of sexual desire.

“O Fate! Take not away thy heavy hand! Death is the fairest cover for her shame / That may be wished for.”

(Leonato) (Act 4, Scene 1)

Analysis

When Claudio publicly humiliates Hero at the church, Leonato utters this line, urging the fates to deal out death to his daughter for bringing on this terrible shame to her name and family. Hero has just fainted after Claudio’s castigation and while Beatrice rushes to help her cousin, such is the terrible power of slander that a father immediately gives up on her daughter and wishes death on her. He offers her no room for explanation or tries to verify whether there is any truth in Claudio’s accusation. He doesn’t even see whether she is dead or alive. The tenets of honor are so stringent in a society ruled by men that death would be more welcome to Leonato than a daughter with stains on her character.

“I would my horse had the speed of your tongue.”

(Benedick) (Act 1, Scene 1)

“I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow, than a man swear he loves me.”

(Beatrice) (Act 1, Scene 1)

“I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace, and it better fits my blood to be disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob love from any.”

(Don John) (Act 1, Scene 3)

“Friendship is constant in all other things / Save in the office and affairs of love.”

(Claudio) (Act 2, Scene 1)

“When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married.”

(Benedick) (Act 2 Scene 3)

“Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more, / Men were deceivers ever, / One foot in sea and one on shore, / To one thing constant never.”

(Balthasar) (Act 2, Scene 3)

“Our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two auspicious persons.”

(Dogberry) (Act 3, Scene 5)

“There, Leonato, take her back again. Give not this rotten orange to your friend.”

(Claudio) (Act 4, Scene 1)

“I thank you, princes, for my daughter’s death.”

(Leonato) (Act 5, Scene 1)

“Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably.”

(Benedick) (Act 5, Scene 2)