Much Ado About Nothing Beatrice Quotes

Beatrice > Benedick

Quote 7

BEATRICE
As strange as the thing I know not. It were as
possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you,
But believe me not, and yet I lie not, I confess
nothing, nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my
cousin. (4.1.283-287)

Beatrice has just heard Benedick bare his soul. Rather than pouring her heart out to him in return, she stumbles over her words, finally just declaring that she’s worried for Hero. This uneasiness is weird for Beatrice—she usually has a perfect quick and cutting reply for everything. It’s not clear whether she’s unsure of her feelings for Benedick, or is afraid to admit she loves Benedick... or maybe is just really caught up with her cousin’s life being ruined.

Beatrice

Quote 8

LEONATO
You will never run mad, niece.
BEATRICE
No, not till a hot January. (1.1.91-92)

"Run mad" here refers to catching what Beatrice calls "the Benedick"—essentially going crazy for love. For Beatrice to "catch the Benedick," she’d have to be in love, which she says is as likely as a hot January. That is, "when hell freezes over." Famous last words.

Beatrice

Quote 9

ANTONIO
[to Hero] Well, niece, I trust you
will be ruled by your father.
BEATRICE
Yes faith. It is my cousin's duty to make
curtsy and say, 'Father, as it please you.' But yet for
all that, cousin, let him be a handsome fellow, or
else make another curtsy, and say, 'Father, as it
please me.' (2.1.50-56)

Familial love is another form of love in the play, and in this instance it’s expressed as duty. Hero’s subservience to her father’s will is not because she’s a girl, but because she’s a daughter. Beatrice—also out of love for her cousin—reminds Hero that there’s some wiggle room in familial obedience.