Much Ado About Nothing: Act 4, Scene 1
Enter Prince [DON PEDRO, DON JOHN the]
Bastard, LEONATO, FRIAR [FRANCIS],
CLAUDIO, BENEDICK, HERO, and BEATRICE
[with ATTENDANTS].
LEONATO
1 Come, Friar Francis, be brief; only to the plain 2 form of marriage, and you shall recount their 3 particular duties afterwards.
FRIAR FRANCIS
4 You come hither, my lord, to marry this 5 lady.
CLAUDIO
6 No.
LEONATO
7 To be married to her: friar, you come to 8 marry her.
FRIAR FRANCIS
9 Lady, you come hither to be married to 10 this count.
HERO
11 I do.
FRIAR FRANCIS
12. inward: secret, private.
12 If either of you know any inward impediment 13 why you should not be conjoined, I charge you, 14 on your souls, to utter it.
CLAUDIO
15 Know you any, Hero?
HERO
16 None, my lord.
FRIAR FRANCIS
17 Know you any, count?
LEONATO
18 I dare make his answer, none.
CLAUDIO
19 O, what men dare do! what men may do! what 20 men daily do, not knowing what they do!
BENEDICK
21-22. How now! . . . ha, he!: Interjections are sudden expressions of emotion, such as "Wow!" or "Hooray!" Benedick's point is that at a wedding any interjections should express laughter (and sexual joy), not the bitterness expressed by Claudio. 23. Stand thee by: stand aside. —Claudio takes the friar's place and faces the congregation. Father: —Claudio is speaking to Leonato, who is his "father" in the sense of being his presumptive father-in-law.
21 How now! interjections? Why, then, some be 22 of laughing, as, ah, ha, he!
CLAUDIO
23 Stand thee by, friar. Father, by your leave: 24 Will you with free and unconstrained soul 25 Give me this maid, your daughter?
LEONATO
26 As freely, son, as God did give her me.
CLAUDIO
27 And what have I to give you back, whose worth28. counterpoise: balance, be equivalent to.
29. render her again: give her back.
29. render her again: give her back.
28 May counterpoise this rich and precious gift?
DON PEDRO
29 Nothing, unless you render her again.
CLAUDIO
30. learn: teach.
31. There: —This word indicates that Claudio makes some dramatic gesture; perhaps he mockingly hands Hero back to her father, or he may shove her back.
31. There: —This word indicates that Claudio makes some dramatic gesture; perhaps he mockingly hands Hero back to her father, or he may shove her back.
30 Sweet prince, you learn me noble thankfulness. 31 There, Leonato, take her back again: 32 Give not this rotten orange to your friend; 33 She's but the sign and semblance of her honor. 34 Behold how like a maid she blushes here!35. authority: assurance, authenticity.
37. that blood: i.e., Hero's blush. modest evidence: natural, believable evidence.
37. that blood: i.e., Hero's blush. modest evidence: natural, believable evidence.
35 O, what authority and show of truth 36 Can cunning sin cover itself withal! 37 Comes not that blood as modest evidence 38 To witness simple virtue? Would you not swear, 39 All you that see her, that she were a maid, 40 By these exterior shows? But she is none:41. luxurious: lascivious, lustful.
41 She knows the heat of a luxurious bed; 42 Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty.
LEONATO
43 What do you mean, my lord?
CLAUDIO
43 Not to be married,44. approved: convicted, proven.
45. proof: i.e., test or trial of her.
45. proof: i.e., test or trial of her.
44 Not to knit my soul to an approved wanton.
LEONATO
45 Dear my lord, if you, in your own proof, 46 Have vanquish'd the resistance of her youth, 47 And made defeat of her virginity,—
CLAUDIO
48. known her: had sex with her.
48 I know what you would say: if I have known her, 49 You will say she did embrace me as a husband,50. extenuate: lessen, excuse. 'forehand sin: sin of anticipating (marriage); i.e., premarital sex relations.
52. large: broad, immodest.
52. large: broad, immodest.
50 And so extenuate the 'forehand sin: 51 No, Leonato, 52 I never tempted her with word too large; 53 But, as a brother to his sister, show'd 54 Bashful sincerity and comely love.
HERO
55 And seem'd I ever otherwise to you?
CLAUDIO
56 Out on thee! Seeming! I will write against it:57. Dian: Diana. orb: sphere [of the moon]. Diana was a Roman goddess of the moon and chastity. >>> 58. the bud ere it be blown: the bud before it blooms.
60-61. those pamper'd animals / That rage in savage sensuality: This may be an allusion to the royal lions kept in the Tower of London. Apparently the lions relieved their boredom with frequent copulation.
62. wide: wide of the mark, far from the truth.
60-61. those pamper'd animals / That rage in savage sensuality: This may be an allusion to the royal lions kept in the Tower of London. Apparently the lions relieved their boredom with frequent copulation.
62. wide: wide of the mark, far from the truth.
57 You seem to me as Dian in her orb, 58 As chaste as is the bud ere it be blown; 59 But you are more intemperate in your blood 60 Than Venus, or those pamper'd animals 61 That rage in savage sensuality.
HERO
62 Is my lord well, that he doth speak so wide?
LEONATO
63 Sweet prince, why speak not you?
DON PEDRO
63 What should I speak?64-65. gone about / To: taken a lot of trouble to.
64 I stand dishonor'd, that have gone about
65. common stale: low-class prostitute.
65 To link my dear friend to a common stale.
LEONATO
66 Are these things spoken, or do I but dream?
DON JOHN
67 Sir, they are spoken, and these things are true.
BENEDICK
68 This looks not like a nuptial.
HERO
68. True! O God!: Hero could be responding to Benedick's statement that "This looks not like a nuptial," but I think it's more likely that she is expressing shock and dismay at Don John's assertion that "these things are true."
68 True! O God!
CLAUDIO
69 Leonato, stand I here? 70 Is this the prince? is this the prince's brother? 71 Is this face Hero's? are our eyes our own?
LEONATO
72 All this is so: but what of this, my lord?
CLAUDIO
73. move: propose.
73 Let me but move one question to your daughter;74. kindly: natural.
74 And, by that fatherly and kindly power 75 That you have in her, bid her answer truly.
LEONATO
76 I charge thee do so, as thou art my child.
HERO
77. beset: attacked from all sides.
77 O, God defend me! how am I beset!
78. catechising: i.e., hostile questioning. >>>
78 What kind of catechising call you this?
CLAUDIO
79. To make you answer truly to your name: i.e., this question will force you to tell the truth about who you are and what your name really means.
79 To make you answer truly to your name.
HERO
80 Is it not Hero? Who can blot that name 81 With any just reproach?
CLAUDIO
81 Marry, that can Hero;82. Hero itself: the name Hero (which is now the name for a whore).
82 Hero itself can blot out Hero's virtue. 83 What man was he talk'd with you yesternight 84 Out at your window betwixt twelve and one?85. if you are a maid, answer to this: i.e., if you are a virgin, explain this away.
85 Now, if you are a maid, answer to this.
HERO
86 I talk'd with no man at that hour, my lord.
DON PEDRO
87 Why, then are you no maiden. Leonato, 88 I am sorry you must hear: upon mine honor,89. grieved: aggrieved, wronged.
89 Myself, my brother and this grieved count
90 Did see her, hear her, at that hour last night 91 Talk with a ruffian at her chamber-window92. liberal: gross, licentious.
92 Who hath indeed, most like a liberal villain, 93 Confess'd the vile encounters they have had 94 A thousand times in secret.
DON JOHN
95 Fie, fie! they are not to be named, my lord, 96 Not to be spoke of; 97 There is not chastity enough in language 98 Without offence to utter them. Thus, pretty lady,99. much misgovernment: great misconduct, evil conduct.
99 I am sorry for thy much misgovernment.
CLAUDIO
100 O Hero, what a Hero hadst thou been,101 If half thy outward graces had been placed102 About thy thoughts and counsels of thy heart!103 But fare thee well, most foul, most fair! farewell,104 Thou pure impiety and impious purity!105. For thee: because of my experience with you.
105 For thee I'll lock up all the gates of love,106. conjecture: evil suspicion.
106 And on my eyelids shall conjecture hang,107 To turn all beauty into thoughts of harm,108. be gracious: seem beautiful, attractive, graceful.
108 And never shall it more be gracious.
LEONATO
109 Hath no man's dagger here a point for me?
[Hero swoons.]
BEATRICE
110 Why, how now, cousin! wherefore sink you down?
DON JOHN
111 Come, let us go. These things, come thus to light,112 Smother her spirits up.
[Exeunt Don Pedro, Don John, and Claudio.]
BENEDICK
113 How doth the lady?
BEATRICE
113 Dead, I think. Help, uncle!114 Hero! why, Hero! Uncle! Signior Benedick! Friar!
LEONATO
115 O Fate! take not away thy heavy hand.116 Death is the fairest cover for her shame117 That may be wish'd for.
BEATRICE
117 How now, cousin Hero!
FRIAR FRANCIS
118 Have comfort, lady.
LEONATO
119 Dost thou look up?
FRIAR FRANCIS
119 Yea, wherefore should she not?
LEONATO
120 Wherefore! Why, doth not every earthly thing121 Cry shame upon her? Could she here deny122. blood: blushes.
122 The story that is printed in her blood?123 Do not live, Hero; do not ope thine eyes:124 For, did I think thou wouldst not quickly die,
125. shames: feelings of shame.
125 Thought I thy spirits were stronger than thy shames,126. on the rearward of reproaches: after reproaching you.
126 Myself would, on the rearward of reproaches,127 Strike at thy life. Grieved I, I had but one?
128. frugal nature's frame: nature's frugal design (in giving me only one child).
128 Chid I for that at frugal nature's frame?129 O, one too much by thee! Why had I one?130 Why ever wast thou lovely in my eyes?131 Why had I not with charitable hand132 Took up a beggar's issue at my gates,133 Who smirch'd thus and mired with infamy,134 I might have said 'No part of it is mine;135 This shame derives itself from unknown loins'?136 But mine and mine I loved and mine I praised137 And mine that I was proud on, mine so much138-139. I myself was to myself not mine / Valuing of her: i.e., I valued her so highly that I lived only for her, and valued myself at nothing.
138 That I myself was to myself not mine,139 Valuing of her,—why, she, O, she is fallen140 Into a pit of ink, that the wide sea141 Hath drops too few to wash her clean again
142. season give: act as a preservative. —Salt was used to preserve meat from rotting.
142 And salt too little which may season give143 To her foul-tainted flesh!
BENEDICK
143 Sir, sir, be patient.144. attired: wrapped.
144 For my part, I am so attired in wonder,145 I know not what to say.
BEATRICE
146 O, on my soul, my cousin is belied!
BENEDICK
147 Lady, were you her bedfellow last night?
BEATRICE
148 No, truly not; although, until last night,149 I have this twelvemonth been her bedfellow.
LEONATO
150 Confirm'd, confirm'd! O, that is stronger made151 Which was before barr'd up with ribs of iron!152 Would the two princes lie, and Claudio lie,153 Who loved her so, that, speaking of her foulness,154 Wash'd it with tears? Hence from her! let her die.
FRIAR FRANCIS
155 Hear me a little;156-158. I have . . . the lady: I have been silent so long, and not interfered with these happenstances, only because I have concentrated on observing the lady. >>> 158-161. I have mark'd . . . blushes: i.e., I have seen innocence in her change of color. >>>
156 For I have only been silent so long157 And given way unto this course of fortune,158 By noting of the lady. I have mark'd159 A thousand blushing apparitions160 To start into her face, a thousand innocent shames161 In angel whiteness beat away those blushes;162-164. And in her eye . . . her maiden truth: i.e., And in her eyes there burns a fire which should burn away any doubt of her innocence. >>>
162 And in her eye there hath appear'd a fire,163 To burn the errors that these princes hold164 Against her maiden truth. Call me a fool;165 Trust not my reading nor my observations,
166-167. Which with experimental seal doth warrant / The tenor of my book: —A seal on a document guarantees its authenticity. Metaphorically, the friar's seal is his experience in reading people; in this case, his "book" is Hero's face, and its meaning ("tenor") is her innocence.
166 Which with experimental seal doth warrant167 The tenor of my book; trust not my age,168 My reverence, calling, nor divinity,169 If this sweet lady lie not guiltless here170 Under some biting error.
LEONATO
170 Friar, it cannot be.171 Thou seest that all the grace that she hath left172 Is that she will not add to her damnation173 A sin of perjury; she not denies it:174 Why seek'st thou then to cover with excuse175. proper: its own.
175 That which appears in proper nakedness?
FRIAR FRANCIS
176 Lady, what man is he you are accused of?
HERO
177 They know that do accuse me; I know none:178 If I know more of any man alive179 Than that which maiden modesty doth warrant,180 Let all my sins lack mercy! O my father,181 Prove you that any man with me conversed182. unmeet: improper.
182 At hours unmeet, or that I yesternight
183. Maintain'd the change of words: had an exchange of words. 184. Refuse: renounce, cast off.
183 Maintain'd the change of words with any creature,184 Refuse me, hate me, torture me to death!
FRIAR FRANCIS
185. misprision: mistake, misunderstanding, misapprehension.
185 There is some strange misprision in the princes.
BENEDICK
186. the very bent of: a perfect inclination of the mind toward.
186 Two of them have the very bent of honor;187 And if their wisdoms be misled in this,
188. practice: scheming, plotting.
188 The practice of it lives in John the bastard,
189. Whose spirits toil in frame of villanies: i.e., whose nature it is to be always hard at work plotting villanies.
189 Whose spirits toil in frame of villanies.
LEONATO
190 I know not. If they speak but truth of her,191 These hands shall tear her; if they wrong her honor,192 The proudest of them shall well hear of it.193 Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine,194. age: i.e., old age eat: eaten. invention: ability to make plans (for revenge).
194 Nor age so eat up my invention,195 Nor fortune made such havoc of my means,196 Nor my bad life reft me so much of friends,
197. kind: degree.
197 But they shall find, awaked in such a kind,
198. policy of mind: shrewdness in planning (revenge).
198 Both strength of limb and policy of mind,199 Ability in means and choice of friends,
200. quit me of them throughly: settle my account with them thoroughly; i.e., take revenge on them.
200 To quit me of them throughly.
FRIAR FRANCIS
200 Pause awhile,201. let my counsel sway you: let my advice guide you.
201 And let my counsel sway you in this case.202 Your daughter here the princes left for dead:203 Let her awhile be secretly kept in,
204. publish it: let it be known.
204 And publish it that she is dead indeed;
205. Maintain a mourning ostentation: keep up a show of mourning.
205 Maintain a mourning ostentation206 And on your family's old monument207 Hang mournful epitaphs and do all rites208 That appertain unto a burial.
LEONATO
209. become of: result from.
209 What shall become of this? what will this do?
FRIAR FRANCIS
210. carried: managed.
210 Marry, this well carried shall on her behalf211 Change slander to remorse; that is some good:212 But not for that dream I on this strange course,
213. on this travail look for: from this labor expect.
214-215. She dying, as it must so be maintain'd, / Upon the instant that she was accused: because she died, as it must be given out, at the very instant that she was accused.
214-215. She dying, as it must so be maintain'd, / Upon the instant that she was accused: because she died, as it must be given out, at the very instant that she was accused.
213 But on this travail look for greater birth.214 She dying, as it must so be maintain'd,215 Upon the instant that she was accused,216 Shall be lamented, pitied and excused
217. Of: by.
217 Of every hearer: for it so falls out218 That what we have we prize not to the worth219 Whiles we enjoy it, but being lack'd and lost,220. rack: closely examine. >>>
221. virtue: value, worth.
221. virtue: value, worth.
220 Why, then we rack the value, then we find
221 The virtue that possession would not show us222 Whiles it was ours. So will it fare with Claudio:
223. upon: in consequence of, as a result of.
223 When he shall hear she died upon his words,224 The idea of her life shall sweetly creep
225. study of imagination: imaginative study; i.e., musing contemplation, reverie. 226. every lovely organ of her life: every aspect of her lovely life. 227. habit: dress.
225 Into his study of imagination,226 And every lovely organ of her life227 Shall come apparell'd in more precious habit,228 More moving-delicate and full of life,
229. prospect: view, range of vision.
229 Into the eye and prospect of his soul,230 Than when she lived indeed; then shall he mourn,
231. interest in: any claim upon (a legal term). liver: —The liver was believed to be the source of the passion of love.
231 If ever love had interest in his liver,232 And wish he had not so accused her,233 No, though he thought his accusation true.
234-236. Let this . . . likelihood: If you believe this >>>
234 Let this be so, and doubt not but success235 Will fashion the event in better shape236 Than I can lay it down in likelihood.
237-239. But . . . infamy: i.e., if every other aim except this comes to nothing, at least the belief that the lady is dead will drown out the amazement at her infamy.
237 But if all aim but this be levell'd false,238 The supposition of the lady's death239 Will quench the wonder of her infamy:
240. sort: turn out.
240 And if it sort not well, you may conceal her,241 As best befits her wounded reputation,
242. reclusive: retired, secluded (as a religious recluse).
243. Out of: out of reach of. injuries: insults.
243. Out of: out of reach of. injuries: insults.
242 In some reclusive and religious life,243 Out of all eyes, tongues, minds and injuries.
BENEDICK
244 Signior Leonato, let the friar advise you:245. inwardness and love: trusting familiarity and close friendship.
245 And though you know my inwardness and love246 Is very much unto the prince and Claudio,247 Yet, by mine honor, I will deal in this248 As secretly and justly as your soul249 Should with your body.
LEONATO
249. Being that I flow in grief: since I am carried away by the current of grief.
249 Being that I flow in grief,250 The smallest twine may lead me.
FRIAR FRANCIS
251. presently away: i.e., let's leave immediately.
252. For to strange sores strangely they strain the cure: i.e., for strange diseases physicians come up with strange cures.
252. For to strange sores strangely they strain the cure: i.e., for strange diseases physicians come up with strange cures.
251 'Tis well consented: presently away;252 For to strange sores strangely they strain the cure.253 Come, lady, die to live: this wedding-day
254. but prolong'd: only postponed.
254 Perhaps is but prolong'd: have patience and endure.
Exit [with all but Benedick and Beatrice].
BENEDICK
255 Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while?
BEATRICE
256 Yea, and I will weep a while longer.
BENEDICK
257 I will not desire that.
BEATRICE
258 You have no reason; I do it freely.
BENEDICK
259 Surely I do believe your fair cousin is260 wrong'd.
BEATRICE
261 Ah, how much might the man deserve of me262 that would right her!
BENEDICK
263 Is there any way to show such friendship?
BEATRICE
264. even way: clear path.
264 A very even way, but no such friend.
BENEDICK
265 May a man do it?
BEATRICE
266. a man's office: the kind of service that a man would be expected to do. but not yours: —What Beatrice has in mind becomes clear a little later. She wants Benedick to punish Claudio for his accusations against Hero. Perhaps she means that the "office" is not Benedick's because he is Claudio's friend, or perhaps she means that Benedick is not the sort of man to challenge Claudio to a duel.
266 It is a man's office, but not yours.
BENEDICK
267 I do love nothing in the world so well as you: 268 is not that strange?
BEATRICE
269. As strange as the thing I know not: i.e., as strange as my confused emotions.
269 As strange as the thing I know not. It were 270 as possible for me to say I loved nothing so271 well as you: but believe me not; and yet I lie 272 not; I confess nothing, nor I deny nothing. I 273 am sorry for my cousin.
BENEDICK
274 By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me.
BEATRICE
275. eat it: eat your sword; i.e., go back on your oath.
275 Do not swear, and eat it.
BENEDICK
276 I will swear by it that you love me; and I 277. eat it: eat my sword.
277 will make him eat it that says I love not you.
BEATRICE
278 Will you not eat your word?
BENEDICK
279 With no sauce that can be devised to it. 280. protest: declare, swear.
280 I protest I love thee.
BEATRICE
281 Why, then, God forgive me!
BENEDICK
282 What offence, sweet Beatrice?
BEATRICE
283. in a happy hour: at just the right moment, opportunely.
283 You have stayed me in a happy hour: 284 I was about to protest I loved you.
BENEDICK
285 And do it with all thy heart.
BEATRICE
286 I love you with so much of my heart 287. none is left to protest: —Here Beatrice uses the word "protest" in the sense of "object to."
287 that none is left to protest.
BENEDICK
288 Come, bid me do any thing for thee.
BEATRICE
289 Kill Claudio!
BENEDICK
290 Ha! not for the wide world.
BEATRICE
291. deny: refuse.
291 You kill me to deny it. Farewell.
BENEDICK
292 Tarry, sweet Beatrice.
BEATRICE
293. am gone: have left you (in spirit).
293 I am gone, though I am here: there is no
294. nay, let me go: —Shakespeare often implies stage directions. Here, it seems that Benedick is somehow preventing Beatrice from leaving.
294 love in you: nay, I pray you, let me go.
BENEDICK
295 Beatrice,—
BEATRICE
296 In faith, I will go.
BENEDICK
297 We'll be friends first.
BEATRICE
298 You dare easier be friends with me than 299 fight with mine enemy.
BENEDICK
300 Is Claudio thine enemy?
BEATRICE
301. approved: proved. height: highest degree.
301 Is he not approved in the height a villain, 302 that hath slandered, scorned, dishonored 303 my kinswoman? O that I were a man! What, 304. bear . . . hands: i.e., lead her on until the moment when they exchange marriage vows. 305. uncovered: unconcealed, open.
304 bear her in hand until they come to take hands; 305 and then, with public accusation, uncovered 306 slander, unmitigated rancour, —O God, that I 307 were a man! I would eat his heart in the market-place.
BENEDICK
308 Hear me, Beatrice,—
BEATRICE
309-310. proper saying: i.e., believable statement. —Beatrice is being extremely sarcastic; she means that the idea of Hero talking with a man at her window is wildly unbelievable.
309 Talk with a man out at a window! A proper310 saying!
BENEDICK
311 Nay, but, Beatrice,—
BEATRICE
312 Sweet Hero! She is wronged, she is slandered,313 she is undone.
BENEDICK
314 Beat—
BEATRICE
315 Princes and counties! Surely, a princely testimony,316 a goodly count, Count Comfect; a sweet gallant,317 surely! O that I were a man for his sake! or that I318 had any friend would be a man for my sake! But319 manhood is melted into courtesies, valour into320 compliment, and men are only turned into tongue,321. trim: fine, nice (used ironically).
322. swears it: swears it is true.
322. swears it: swears it is true.
321 and trim ones too: he is now as valiant as Hercules322 that only tells a lie and swears it. I cannot be a man 323 with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving.
BENEDICK
324 Tarry, good Beatrice. By this hand, I love325 thee.
BEATRICE
326 Use it for my love some other way than327 swearing by it.
BENEDICK
328 Think you in your soul the Count Claudio329 hath wrong'd Hero?
BEATRICE
330 Yea, as sure as I have a thought or a soul.
BENEDICK
331. engaged: bound by a pledge.
333. Claudio shall render me a dear account: i.e., I will make Claudio pay dearly for what he has done.
333. Claudio shall render me a dear account: i.e., I will make Claudio pay dearly for what he has done.
331 Enough, I am engaged; I will challenge him. 332 I will kiss your hand, and so I leave you. By333 this hand, Claudio shall render me a dear account.334 As you hear of me, so think of me. Go, comfort335 your cousin: I must say she is dead: and so,336 farewell.
[Exeunt.]