Quotes from Shakespeare

Identify the speaker. To which character does the particular quotation relate? How? The first one is a worked example.

Finally, each quotation in your blog under headings: that is, one heading for each of the characters to whom the speech most relates (eg Claudio, Hero, Beatrice, Benedick, Leonato, Don Pedro, Don John etcetera). You should end up with a range of quotations for each of the major figures in the play that together, create ‘pictures’ of the characters.

“He hath borne himself beyond the promise of his age, doing in the figure of a lamb the feats of a lion” (I, i, 13-5).

1. Here a messenger, reporting to Leonato, is describing Claudio’s prowess in battle. Claudio has displayed maturity beyond his years and though he seems an unassuming character, Claudio has demonstrated great strength and courage.

“In our last conflict four of his five wits went halting off, and now is the man governed with one” (I, i, 62-4).
beatrice

“He is sooner caught than the pestilence, and the taker runs presently mad” (I, i, 83-4).
Beatrice, talking about Benedict

“Only this commendation I can afford her, that were she other than she is she were unhandsome” (I, i, 168-70).


In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever I looked on” (I, i, 182-3).

“Shall I never see a bachelor of three-score again? Go to … thou wilt needs thrust they neck into a yoke” (I, i, 193-5).

“Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in the despite of beauty” (I, i, 226-7).


“But now … that war thoughts have left their places vacant, in their rooms come thronging soft and delicate desires” (I, i, 290-2).

“If thou dost love fair Hero … I will break with her and with her father, and thou shalt have her” (I, i, 297-9).


“I must be said when I have cause, and smile at no man’s jests; eat when I have stomach, and wait for no man’s leisure” (I, iii, 13-5).

“I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace. And it better fits my blood to be disdained of all … I am trusted with a muzzle, and enfranchised with a clog … let me be that I am, and seek not to alter me” (I, iii, 25-35).
Don John

“How tartly that gentleman looks. I never can see him but I am heart burned an hour after” (II, i, 3-4).


“Why he is the Prince’s jester, a very dull fool. Only his gift is in devising impossible slanders. None but libertines delight in him” (II, i, 137-9).

“Signor, you are very near my brother in his love. He is enamoured on Hero. I pray you dissuade him from her. She is no equal for his birth” (II, i, 164-6).

“T’is certain … the Prince woos for himself. Friendship is constant in all other things save in the office and affairs of love” (II, i, 175-7).

“I would not marry her though she were endowed with all that Adam had left him before he transgressed” (II, i, 249-51).

“I will in the interim undertake one of Hercules’ labours, which is to bring Signor Benedick and the Lady Beatrice into a mountain of affection th’ one with th’ other” (II, i, 360-3).