Act 2 Scene 3

Question 1

CLAUDIO
I did never think that lady would have loved any man.

Answer 1

LEONATO
No, nor I neither; but most wonderful that she should so dote on Signior Benedick, whom she hath in all outward behaviors seemed ever to abhor.

Question 2

BENEDICK
Is’t possible? Sits the wind in that corner?

Answer 2

LEONATO
By my troth, my lord, I cannot tell what to think of it but that she loves him with an enraged affection: it is past the infinite of thought.

Question 3

CLAUDIO
Faith, like enough.

Answer 3

LEONATO
O God, counterfeit! There was never counterfeit of passion came so near the life of passion as she discovers it.

Question 4

DON PEDRO
Why, what effects of passion shows she?
You amaze me: I would have I thought her spirit had been invincible against all assaults of affection.

Answer 4

LEONATO
I would have sworn it had, my lord; especially against Benedick.

Question 5

DON PEDRO
Hath she made her affection known to Benedick?

Answer 5

LEONATO
No; and swears she never will: that’s her torment.

Question 6

CLAUDIO
Tis true, indeed; so your daughter says: ‘Shall I,’ says she, ‘that have so oft encountered him with scorn, write to him that I love him?’

Answer 6

LEONATO
She railed at herself, that she should be so immodest to write to one that she knew would flout her; 1 measure him,’ says she, ‘by my own spirit; for I should flout him, if he writ to me; yea, though I love him, I should.’

Question 7

CLAUDIO
Then down upon her knees she falls, weeps, sobs, beats her heart, tears her hair, prays, curses; ‘O sweet Benedick! God give me patience!’

Answer 7

LEONATO
She doth indeed; my daughter says so: and the ecstasy hath so much overborne her that my daughter is sometime afeared she will do a desperate outrage to herself: it is very true.

Question 8

DON PEDRO
In every thing but in loving Benedick.
I would she had bestowed this dotage on me: I would have daffed all other respects and made her half myself. I pray you, tell Benedick of it, and hear what a’ will say.

Answer 8

LEONATO
Were it good, think you?

Question 9

CLAUDIO
Never tell him, my lord: let her wear it out with good counsel.

Answer 9

LEONATO
Nay, that’s impossible: she may wear her heart out first.

Question 10

DON PEDRO
I love Benedick well; and I
could wish he would modestly examine himself, to see how much he is unworthy so good a lady.

Answer 10

LEONATO
My lord, will you walk? dinner is ready.