Much Ado About Nothing quotes

"Signor Mountanto," - Beatrice

Mountanto is a fencing term beatrice implies that benedick is a good swordsman but also a double entendre for his "ability to conquer ladies," and is used for comic effect.

"Not til a hot january," - Beatrice

Beatrice's wit is shown early in the play with her smart replies.

" I know you of old," - Beatrice

In relevance to benedicks past, and his reputation as a bachelor.

"You have put him down," - Don pedro

Beatrice has previously hurt benedick in a relationship

"I could not endure a man with a beard on his face," - Beatrice

This is an example of Beatrice setting unrealistic expectations, showing her determination of staying single and that she doesn't need a man. Shakespeare is empowering women in this scene as they are mocking men.

"Lady tongue," - Benedick

Beatrice talks too much making Benedick walk away

"Undertake one of hercules labours," - Don pedro,

An almost impossible task in getting Benedick and Beatrice together, comedic.

"What fire is in mine ears? Can this be true?" - Beatrice

After listening into Ursula and hero's talks, in the gulling scene.

"Kill claudio," - beatrice

Arguably the most important two words in the play. Beatrice is asking Benedick to prove his love

"i would not marry her"- Benedick

he does marry her, shows character change and development from Benedick the bachelor and the Benedick who loves Beatrice

"i pray God his bad voice bode no mischief" - Benedick

Comedic irony, as mischief does occur. Foreshadowing whats to come in the play.

"How doth the lady?" - Benedick

After Hero's slander, Benedick is the first man to ask how Hero is, suggesting a difference in his mindset in comparison to the other men at this point in the play, as well as how he has changed.

"Is she not a modest young lady" - Claudio

He wants to ensure that she is a virgin and that she is good enough to marry. It shows what he finds important.

"Give not this rotten orange to your friend" - Claudio

At the time rotten orange was the worst insult, shows his anger.

"Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty,"- Claudio

Doesn't trust Hero, sees her as deceitful.

"Her mother hath many times told me so" - Leonato

- Joking about cuckoldry, Implies that women are inherently false, which is an idea born from male insecurity.
- jokes about womens licentiousness

"May be better prepared for an answer," - Leonato

Hero doesn't really get much say in her own life. Misogyny of Messinian society on display.
Leonato wants the marriage for status, as a transactional thing. Doesn't care for Hero's opinion and treats her more like a commodity than a person.

"hath no man's dagger here a point for me?" - Leonato

- Leonato wants to kill himself due to his reputation being damaged
- the highest importance to Leonato was his reputation

"I am what i am," - Don John

Unlike the typical villain who aims to deceive others and put on a disguise, Don John is a villain who does not aim to disguise himself; he admits he is "bad" and does not try to hide it.

"Even she, Leonato's Hero, your Hero, every man's Hero" - Don John

Don John is suggesting that Hero belongs to every man in Messina, meaning she has slept around and been unfaithful to Claudio.
This is ironic because it is nothing but a rumour that a man with little status and power is sharing, but the fact that it is coming from a man, and Don John is targeting Claudio's ego, makes him believe it's true without questioning Hero.

"Will you have me, lady?" - Don pedro

Don Pedro proposes to Beatrice, assuming who he is will be enough of a reason for her to marry him.

"God give me joy to wear it, for my heart is exceeding heavy," - Hero

- She isnt excited for her wedding day
- Foreshadowing her shaming at the wedding.

"doing in the figure of a lamb the feats of a lion," - Leonato about Claudio

Claudio's reputation proceeds him, foreshadowing his violent manner

"choose your revenge... yet sinned i not but in mistaking ," - Claudio

Claudio judged too early with little to no evidence.
Blames himself for falling for hero, and tries to avoid reponsibility/

"there no face more honest than one washed with tears," - Leonato

Highlights hypocrisy of Leonato as he later he disregards the tears of Hero in spite of her truthfulness.

" Benedick, love on, I will requite thee," - beatrice

an important turning point in the play; apart of beatrice's soliloquy after her gulling scene.