4.3.1
Summary
Act 2, Scene 3
Act 2, Scene 3
In contrast to his half-brother’s malevolent (evil) plot, Don Pedro tricks Benedick into falling in love with Beatrice, aided by Claudio and Leonato.
Opening soliloquy
Opening soliloquy
- The scene begins with a soliloquy from Benedick.
- He is disappointed in the changes he sees in Claudio since he fell in love.
- However, unlike the “profess’d tyrant to their sex” of Act 1, Benedick appears more open to the possibility of falling in love himself.
- This creates dramatic irony for the audience as we know what Don Pedro is planning.
Comic scene
Comic scene
- This is a largely comic scene as Benedick attempts to hide and eavesdrop on the conversation between Don Pedro, Claudio and Leonato.
- All the way through the scene, they are fully aware of where he is - as are the audience.
- It is almost as if we are involved in the deception.
Eavesdropping
Eavesdropping
- Benedick learns how the others have ‘learnt’ of Beatrice’s love for him via Hero.
- This helps convince him that what they have discussed is genuine, as does the fact that Leonato is involved.
- Part of trick involves criticising Benedick and his proud nature.
- They will not tell him of Beatrice’s ‘love’ for fear he will make fun of her.
Blank verse
Blank verse
- As intended, Benedick responds as intended to the “bait” and resolves to be “horribly in love” with Beatrice.
- When she is sent to call him into dinner, he addresses her much more politely as “Fair Beatrice”, in contrast to “Lady Disdain.”
- He also greets her in blank verse rather than prose.
Ending soliloquy
Ending soliloquy
- In a humorous attempt to save face (embarrassment) Benedick in another soliloquy at the end of the scene states that the reason he swore to be a bachelor was that “I did not think I should live till I were married.”
- He accepts his friends will likely make fun of him for his change in attitude towards love, as they do in Act 3, Scene 2.
1Key Terminology
1.1Key Terminology
2Structure & Form
3Act 1: Plot Summary
3.2Act 1, Scene 2
3.3Act 1, Scene 3
4Act 2: Plot Summary
4.1Act 2, Scene 1
4.2Act 2, Scene 2
5Act 3: Plot Summary
5.1Act 3, Scene 1
5.2Act 3, Scene 2
5.3Act 3, Scene 3
5.4Act 3, Scene 4
5.5Act 3, Scene 5
6Act 4: Plot Summary
6.1Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 1)
6.2Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 2)
6.3Act 4, Scene 2
7Act 5: Plot Summary
7.1Act 5, Scene 1
7.2Act 5, Scene 2
7.3Act 5, Scene 3
7.4Act 5, Scene 4
Jump to other topics
1Key Terminology
1.1Key Terminology
2Structure & Form
3Act 1: Plot Summary
3.2Act 1, Scene 2
3.3Act 1, Scene 3
4Act 2: Plot Summary
4.1Act 2, Scene 1
4.2Act 2, Scene 2
5Act 3: Plot Summary
5.1Act 3, Scene 1
5.2Act 3, Scene 2
5.3Act 3, Scene 3
5.4Act 3, Scene 4
5.5Act 3, Scene 5
6Act 4: Plot Summary
6.1Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 1)
6.2Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 2)
6.3Act 4, Scene 2
7Act 5: Plot Summary
7.1Act 5, Scene 1
7.2Act 5, Scene 2
7.3Act 5, Scene 3
7.4Act 5, Scene 4
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