I have become a big fan of Benedick who stridently stands up for what he belives and doesn't trust women as far as he can spit as this wonderful exchange shows. Pity he gets his comeuppance at the end
BENEDICK
That I neither feel how she should be loved norDON PEDRO
know how she should be worthy, is the opinion that
fire cannot melt out of me: I will die in it at the stake.
Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in the despiteCLAUDIO
of beauty.
And never could maintain his part but in the forceBENEDICK
of his will.
That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that sheDON PEDRO
brought me up, I likewise give her most humble
thanks: but that I will have a recheat winded in my
forehead, or hang my bugle in an invisible baldrick,
all women shall pardon me. Because I will not do
them the wrong to mistrust any, I will do myself the
right to trust none; and the fine is, for the which
I may go the finer, I will live a bachelor.
I shall see thee, ere I die, look pale with love.BENEDICK
With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord,DON PEDRO
not with love: prove that ever I lose more blood
with love than I will get again with drinking, pick
out mine eyes with a ballad-maker's pen and hang me
up at the door of a brothel-house for the sign of
blind Cupid.
Well, if ever thou dost fall from this faith, thouBENEDICK
wilt prove a notable argument.
If I do, hang me in a bottle like a cat and shootDON PEDRO
at me; and he that hits me, let him be clapped on
the shoulder, and called Adam.
Well, as time shall try: 'In time the savage bullBENEDICK The savage bull may; but if ever the sensible
doth bear the yoke.'
Benedick bear it, pluck off the bull's horns and set
them in my forehead: and let me be vilely painted,
and in such great letters as they write 'Here is
good horse to hire,' let them signify under my sign
'Here you may see Benedick the married man.'
The children provided as much entertainment as the actors on the day. Great day.
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