Much Ado about Nothing quotation analysis Flashcards
O Fate! take not away thy heavy hand.
Death is the fairest cover for her shame
That may be wish’d for.
Leonato is very upset because he thinks his daughter, Hero, has been dishonored. He believes that the best thing for her is to die, because then people won’t be able to shame her and feel regret for what they have done.
Dead, I think. Help, uncle!
Hero! why, Hero! Uncle! Signior Benedick! Friar!
The quote highlights the sudden turn of events in the play, where a misunderstanding has led to a horrific consequence. Everyone is in a state of shock and calling out for help to come to aid Hero.
“Why, doesn’t everything on Earth cry out against her shame? Could she deny the evidence written in her own blood? Don’t live, Hero, don’t open your eyes. If I thought you wouldn’t die quickly, or that your spirit was stronger than your shame, I myself would strike you dead to end your suffering. Did I regret having only one child? Did I complain that nature was too sparing”
Leonato is expressing his sorrow and despair over Hero’s death. He feels a profound sense of shame and guilt, as if he is somehow responsible for her. He wishes he could undo the past and protect her from the public humiliation she is about to face. His words convey a sense of grief and a desire for death as a release from suffering.
“They know that do accuse me, I know none;”
Hero assures her innocence, claiming she knows nothing about the accusations against her.
“Refuse me hate me torture me to death.”
She pleads with her father to reject her, hate her, and even torture her to death, rather than believe the false accusations.
“Oh my father, Prove you that any man with me conversed at hours unmeet or that i yesternight maintained the change of words with an creature.”
She challenges her father to prove the accusations, asking him to demonstrate that she has ever spoken to a man at inappropriate times.
“So are the prince and Claudio who accused her”
This directly states that Prince Don Pedro and Claudio falsely accused Hero.
“Upon the error that you heard debated”
This refers to the misunderstanding and false evidence that led to the accusation.
“But margaret was in some fault for this”
Leonato suggests that Margaret, a maid, played a role in the deception, although perhaps against her will
