Scene I explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Deception and Mistaken Identity

  Hero and Ursula deceive Beatrice into believing Benedick loves her, leading to a change in Beatrice's feelings.

• Love and Marriage

  The trick aims to bring Benedick and Beatrice together, and Hero's upcoming marriage is discussed.

• Gender Roles and Power

  Beatrice's pride and independence are challenged, and she ultimately submits to the idea of love and marriage.

Characters to notice

• Hero

  Orchestrates the trick to make Beatrice believe Benedick loves her.

• Ursula

  Assists Hero in the deception by praising Benedick.

• Beatrice

  Eavesdrops on the conversation and decides to reciprocate Benedick's supposed love.

• Margaret

  Sent by Hero to fetch Beatrice to the garden.

Key passages

• “The pleasant’st angling is to see the fish / Cut with her golden oars the silver stream, / And greedily devour the treacherous bait: / So angle we for Beatrice;”

  The most enjoyable fishing is watching the fish swim and take the bait; that's how we are fishing for Beatrice.

  Ursula compares their deception to angling, with Beatrice as the fish.

• “Contempt, farewell! and maiden pride, adieu! / No glory lives behind the back of such. / And, Benedick, love on; I will requite thee, / Taming my wild heart to thy loving hand:”

  Goodbye to scorn and maiden pride; there is no honor in being that way. Benedick, keep loving me; I will return your love and tame my wild heart for you.

  Beatrice resolves to abandon her pride and accept Benedick's love.