9.1.6

Benedick 4

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“The world must be peopled”

Act 2, Scene 3 key lines spoken by Benedick.

Key line

Key line

  • “The world must be peopled. When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I would live till I were married.”
Religious argument

Religious argument

  • More religious argument is used by Shakespeare as Benedick comically tries to save face.
  • The idea of procreation first through marriage then the sexual consummation of this act is alluded to when he states “The world must be peopled.”
Earlier dismay

Earlier dismay

  • When Benedick suggests (weakly or humorously) that he did not think he would live until he were married, the audience may be reminded of his appall in Act 1 upon learning of Claudio’s intent to “turn husband” and his dismay at never seeing a bachelor of “three-score (60) again”.

"fair lady!"

Act 2, Scene 3 key lines spoken by Benedick.

Key line

Key line

  • “By this day she’s a fair lady! I do spy some marks of love in her.”
__“fair”__

“fair”

  • Shakespeare has Benedick repeat the adjective “fair”, first when Beatrice approaches and again when he greets her (“Fair Beatrice, I thank you for your pains.”).
Contrast

Contrast

  • The complimentary adjective provides a stark contrast to his previous derogatory and insulting language towards her (“Lady Disdain”, “I wish some scholar would conjure her”, “Harpy” etc).
Appearance

Appearance

  • There is a particular irony in Benedick “spying” loving signals from Beatrice.
  • Again the idea of appearance not always being what they seem is demonstrated to the audience.
Jump to other topics
1

Key Terminology

1.1

Key Terminology

1.1.1Key Terminology1.1.2End of Topic Test - Key Terminology
2

Structure & Form

2.1

Structure

2.1.1Structure2.1.2Acts 1 - 32.1.3Acts 4 - 5
2.2

Form

2.2.1Tragicomedy2.2.2End of Topic Test - Structure & Form
3

Act 1: Plot Summary

3.1

Act 1, Scene 1

3.1.1Summary3.1.2Key Lines3.1.3Key Lines 23.1.4End of Topic Test - Act 1, Scene 1
3.2

Act 1, Scene 2

3.2.1Summary3.2.2Key Lines
3.3

Act 1, Scene 3

3.3.1Summary3.3.2Key Lines3.3.3End of Topic Test - Act 1, Scenes 2-3
4

Act 2: Plot Summary

4.1

Act 2, Scene 1

4.1.1Summary4.1.2Key Lines4.1.3Key Lines 24.1.4Key Lines 34.1.5End of Topic Test - Act 2, Scene 1
4.2

Act 2, Scene 2

4.2.1Summary
4.3

Act 2, Scene 3

4.3.1Summary4.3.2Key Lines4.3.3Key Lines 24.3.4End of Topic Test - Act 2, Scenes 2-3
5

Act 3: Plot Summary

5.1

Act 3, Scene 1

5.1.1Summary5.1.2Key Lines
5.2

Act 3, Scene 2

5.2.1Summary5.2.2Key Lines
5.3

Act 3, Scene 3

5.3.1Summary
5.4

Act 3, Scene 4

5.4.1Summary
5.5

Act 3, Scene 5

5.5.1Summary5.5.2End of Topic Test - Act 3
6

Act 4: Plot Summary

6.1

Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 1)

6.1.1Summary6.1.2Key Lines6.1.3Key Lines 2
6.2

Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 2)

6.2.1Summary6.2.2Key Lines6.2.3Key Lines 2
6.3

Act 4, Scene 2

6.3.1Summary6.3.2End of Topic Test - Act 4
7

Act 5: Plot Summary

7.1

Act 5, Scene 1

7.1.1Summary
7.2

Act 5, Scene 2

7.2.1Summary7.2.2Key Lines
7.3

Act 5, Scene 3

7.3.1Summary
7.4

Act 5, Scene 4

7.4.1Summary7.4.2End of Topic Test - Act 5
8

Key Themes

8.1

Key Themes

8.1.1Love & Marriage8.1.2Deception, Appearances & Noting8.1.3Gender8.1.4Reputation8.1.5End of Topic Test - Key Themes
9

Recap: Main Quotes

9.1

Characters Quotes

9.1.1Beatrice9.1.2Beatrice 29.1.3Benedick 19.1.4Benedick 29.1.5Benedick 39.1.6Benedick 49.1.7Benedick 59.1.8Beatrice & Benedick9.1.9Beatrice & Benedick 29.1.10Beatrice & Benedick 39.1.11Claudio9.1.12Claudio 29.1.13Claudio & Benedick9.1.14Don John9.1.15Don John 29.1.16Don Pedro9.1.17Hero9.1.18Leonato9.1.19Leonato & Messanger
9.2

Text Structure - Quotes

9.2.1Deception, Appearances & Noting9.2.2Gender9.2.3Reputation

Practice questions on Benedick 4

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  1. 1
    Benedick's self-defence in Act 2, Scene 3:Fill in the list
  2. 2
    Benedick's repetition of the adjective __“fair”__:Fill in the list
  3. 3
    Examples of Benedick's previously insulting language towards Beatrice:Fill in the list
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