Scene I explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Wit and Language

  The scene is filled with puns, riddles, and playful banter between Armado, Moth, and Costard, showcasing the power of clever speech.

• Deception and Disguise

  Armado and Biron both use letters and intermediaries to secretly pursue their loves, hiding their true intentions.

• Love vs. Oath

  Biron, who previously mocked love and swore off women, now admits his love for Rosaline, breaking his earlier oath.

Characters to notice

• Don Adriano de Armado

  Armado commands Moth to sing, then sends Costard with a letter to Jaquenetta, displaying his affected rhetoric and love-sickness.

• Moth

  Moth engages in clever wordplay with Armado, mocking his master's love and providing witty commentary.

• Costard

  Costard is freed by Armado and given a letter for Jaquenetta; he later accepts a shilling from Biron to deliver a letter to Rosaline.

• Biron

  Biron hires Costard to deliver a letter to Rosaline, lamenting his own fall into love despite his former mockery of it.

• Jaquenetta

  Jaquenetta is the intended recipient of Armado's letter, referred to as the 'country maid.'

• Rosaline

  Rosaline is the lady Biron loves; he sends her a letter via Costard and describes her in his soliloquy.

Key passages

• “Warble, child; make passionate my sense of hearing.”

  Sing, boy, and stir my emotions through sound.

  Armado commands Moth to sing, setting a romantic tone.

• “By my penny of observation.”

  Through my small but careful experience.

  Moth explains how he gained his worldly knowledge.

• “Remuneration! O, that's the Latin word for three farthings.”

  Remuneration! That's just a fancy term for three farthings.

  Costard misinterprets 'remuneration' as a small coin, showing his ignorance.

• “What, I! I love! I sue! I seek a wife!”

  What, me! I am in love! I court! I seek a wife!

  Biron expresses shock at his own romantic feelings.