4.1.3

Key Lines 2

Test yourself

Benedick's Hurt

BENEDICK: She speaks poniards, and every word stabs.

Illustrative background for Key lineIllustrative background for Key line ?? "content

Key line

  • BENEDICK: She speaks poniards, and every word stabs.
Illustrative background for Benedick's hurtIllustrative background for Benedick's hurt ?? "content

Benedick's hurt

  • Just as Claudio has been hurt by Hero’s ‘deception’, Benedick reveals a different side to his relationship with Beatrice here.
  • In contrast to his bravado (confidence) of Act 1, he seems generally hurt by Beatrice’s insults.
Illustrative background for Sensitive character Illustrative background for Sensitive character  ?? "content

Sensitive character

  • Shakespeare first reveals Benedick’s dismay that at the masked ball Beatrice did not recognise him before including this metaphor in which Benedick suggests that Beatrice’s insults are like daggers (“poniards”) that have wounded him.
  • This more sensitive side to Benedick’s character reflects the change that will soon be brought about through Don Pedro’s trickery.

Benedick

BENEDICK: I would not marry her though she were endowed with all that Adam had left him before he transgress’d

Illustrative background for Key lineIllustrative background for Key line ?? "content

Key line

  • BENEDICK: I would not marry her though she were endowed with all that Adam had left him before he transgress’d
Illustrative background for HyperboleIllustrative background for Hyperbole ?? "content

Hyperbole

  • In yet another parallel to Beatrice’s earlier language use, Shakespeare has Benedick use hyperbole (literary exaggeration) to express his feelings towards Beatrice.
  • Before Adam “transgress’d”, he lived in The Garden of Eden with Eve.
  • The suggestion here is that even if Beatrice were living in Paradise, Benedick would not want to be with her.
Illustrative background for Heavenly imageryIllustrative background for Heavenly imagery ?? "content

Heavenly imagery

  • This heavenly imagery is then juxtaposed with Benedick’s suggestion that due to Beatrice’s barbed tongue, a man may live a quieter life in Hell than being in her company.
Illustrative background for Marriage Illustrative background for Marriage  ?? "content

Marriage

  • Benedick's insistence that he would not marry her is the first mention of marriage between him and Beatrice that the audience are aware of and could be considered as the catalyst for Don Pedro’s plan to make them fall “into a mountain of affection the one with t’other”.

Benedick vs. Beatrice

BENEDICK: Will your grace command me any service to the world’s end [...] rather than hold three words’ conference with this harpy.

Illustrative background for HyperboleIllustrative background for Hyperbole ?? "content

Hyperbole

  • Benedick’s use of hyperbole continues as he is desperate to escape Beatrice’s presence.
  • He compares her to a harpy - a creature from Greek mythology who would torment those in the afterlife.
Illustrative background for Beatrice winsIllustrative background for Beatrice wins ?? "content

Beatrice wins

  • Through the use of both Christian and Classical imagery, it becomes clear to the audience that Beatrice has undoubtedly ‘won’ this round of the merry war of words.
Illustrative background for Act 1, Scene 1Illustrative background for Act 1, Scene 1 ?? "content

Act 1, Scene 1

  • After Benedick’s ‘victory’ in Act 1, Scene 1, structurally, Shakespeare has shown the audience how well matched the couple are, prior to Don Pedro’s decision to try and deceive them into falling in love.

Jump to other topics

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson