← 5.3
Act 5, Scene 4 — A Room in Leonato’s House.
on stage:
next →
Original
Faithful Conversational Text-message
The argument Everyone gathers in Leonato's house for the wedding. The Friar confirms Hero's innocence. Benedick and Beatrice arrive. When Leonato dismisses the women to a separate chamber, he charges Antonio with giving Hero to Claudio in marriage. Benedick enters and privately asks Leonato for Beatrice's hand, which he grants. Don Pedro and Claudio arrive. After witty banter about Benedick's changed state, Antonio re-enters with the masked women. Claudio accepts the masked 'wife' and marries her before her reveal. When Hero unmasks, Claudio declares his joy. Benedick then asks Beatrice plainly if she loves him; both deny it at first, then their friends produce sonnets they've each written proving their love. Benedick declares he will marry her on this evidence alone. The couple kiss. Benedick calls for a dance. News arrives that Don John has been captured. Benedick dismisses this, demanding music and dancing as the play ends.
Enter Leonato, Antonio, Benedick, Beatrice,
Margaret, Ursula, Friar Francis and Hero.
FRIAR Spiritual insight and moral perspective

Did I not tell you she was innocent?

Did I not tell you she was innocent?

Did I not tell you she was innocent?

did i not tell you she was innocent?

LEONATO ≋ verse Gracious management of expectations and people

So are the Prince and Claudio, who accus’d her

Upon the error that you heard debated:

But Margaret was in some fault for this,

Although against her will, as it appears

In the true course of all the question.

So are the Prince and Claudio, who accus’d her Upon the error that you heard debated: But Margaret was in some fault for this, Although against her will, as it appears In the true course of all the question.

So are the Prince and Claudio, who accus’d her Upon the error that you heard debated: But Margaret was in some fault for this, Although against her will, as it appears In the true course of all the question.

so are the prince and claudio who accus’d her upon the error that you heard debated: but margaret was in some fault for this although against her will as it appears in the true course of all the question

ANTONIO Protective uncle wisdom

Well, I am glad that all things sort so well.

Well, I am glad that all things sort so well.

Well, I'm glad that all things sort so well.

well, i'm glad that all things sort so well.

BENEDICK ≋ verse Confident bluster masking uncertainty

And so am I, being else by faith enforc’d

To call young Claudio to a reckoning for it.

And so am I, being else by faith enforc’d To call young Claudio to a reckoning for it.

And so am I, being else by faith enforc’d To call young Claudio to a reckoning for it.

and so am i being else by faith enforc’d to call young claudio to a reckoning for it

LEONATO ≋ verse Gracious management of expectations and people

Well, daughter, and you gentlewomen all,

Withdraw into a chamber by yourselves,

And when I send for you, come hither mask’d:

The Prince and Claudio promis’d by this hour

To visit me.

Well, daughter, and you gentlewomen all, Withdraw into a chamber by yourselves, And when I send for you, come here mask’d: The Prince and Claudio promis’d by this hour To visit me.

Well, daughter, and you gentlewomen all, Withdraw into a chamber by yourselves, And when I send for you, come here mask’d: The Prince and Claudio promis’d by this hour To visit me.

well daughter and you gentlewomen all withdraw into a chamber by yourselves and when i send for you

[Exeunt Ladies.]
You know your office, brother;
You must be father to your brother’s daughter,
And give her to young Claudio.
ANTONIO Protective uncle wisdom

Which I will do with confirm’d countenance.

Which I will do with confirm’d countenance.

Which I will do with confirm’d countenance.

which i will do with confirm’d countenance.

BENEDICK Confident bluster masking uncertainty

Friar, I must entreat your pains, I think.

Friar, I must entreat your pains, I think.

Friar, I must entreat your pains, I think.

friar, i must entreat your pains, i think.

FRIAR Spiritual insight and moral perspective

To do what, signior?

To do what, signior?

To do what, signior?

to do what, signior?

BENEDICK ≋ verse Confident bluster masking uncertainty

To bind me, or undo me; one of them.

Signior Leonato, truth it is, good signior,

Your niece regards me with an eye of favour.

To bind me, or undo me; one of them. Signior Leonato, truth it is, good signior, Your niece regards me with an eye of favour.

To bind me, or undo me; one of them. Signior Leonato, truth it is, good signior, Your niece regards me with an eye of favour.

to bind me or undo me one of them signior leonato truth it is

LEONATO Gracious management of expectations and people

That eye my daughter lent her. ’Tis most true.

That eye my daughter lent her. ’Tis most true.

That eye my daughter lent her. ’Tis most true.

that eye my daughter lent her. ’tis most true.

BENEDICK Confident bluster masking uncertainty

And I do with an eye of love requite her.

And I do with an eye of love requite her.

And I do with an eye of love requite her.

and i do with an eye of love requite her.

LEONATO ≋ verse Gracious management of expectations and people

The sight whereof I think, you had from me,

From Claudio, and the Prince. But what’s your will?

The sight whereof I think, you had from me, From Claudio, and the Prince. But what’s your will?

The sight whereof I think, you had from me, From Claudio, and the Prince. But what’s your will?

the sight whereof i think you had from me from claudio and the prince but what’s your will

BENEDICK ≋ verse Confident bluster masking uncertainty

Your answer, sir, is enigmatical:

But, for my will, my will is your good will

May stand with ours, this day to be conjoin’d

In the state of honourable marriage:

In which, good friar, I shall desire your help.

Your answer, sir, is enigmatical: But, for my will, my will is your good will May stand with ours, this day to be conjoin’d In the state of honourable marriage: In which, good friar, I shall desire your help.

Your answer, sir, is enigmatical: But, for my will, my will is your good will May stand with ours, this day to be conjoin’d In the state of honourable marriage: In which, good friar, I shall desire your help.

your answer sir is enigmatical: but for my will my will is your good will may stand with ours

LEONATO Gracious management of expectations and people

My heart is with your liking.

My heart is with your liking.

My heart is with your liking.

my heart is with your liking.

FRIAR Spiritual insight and moral perspective

And my help. Here comes the Prince and Claudio.

And my help. Here comes the Prince and Claudio.

And my help. Here comes the Prince and Claudio.

and my help. here comes the prince and claudio.

Enter Don Pedro and Claudio,
with Attendants.
DON PEDRO Warm authority that moves others

Good morrow to this fair assembly.

Good morrow to this fair assembly.

Good morrow to this fair assembly.

good morrow to this fair assembly.

LEONATO ≋ verse Gracious management of expectations and people

Good morrow, Prince; good morrow, Claudio:

We here attend you. Are you yet determin’d

Today to marry with my brother’s daughter?

Good morrow, Prince; good morrow, Claudio: We here attend you. Are you yet determin’d Today to indeed with my brother’s daughter?

Good morrow, Prince; good morrow, Claudio: We here attend you. Are you yet determin’d Today to indeed with my brother’s daughter?

good morrow prince good morrow claudio: we here attend you are you yet determin’d today to indeed with my brother’s daughter

CLAUDIO Young passion wanting approval and reassurance

I’ll hold my mind, were she an Ethiope.

I’ll hold my mind, were she an Ethiope.

I’ll hold my mind, were she an Ethiope.

i’ll hold my mind, were she an ethiope.

LEONATO Gracious management of expectations and people

Call her forth, brother: here’s the friar ready.

Call her forth, brother: here’s the friar ready.

Call her forth, brother: here’s the friar ready.

call her forth, brother: here’s the friar ready.

[Exit Antonio.]
DON PEDRO ≋ verse Warm authority that moves others

Good morrow, Benedick. Why, what’s the matter,

That you have such a February face,

So full of frost, of storm and cloudiness?

Good morrow, Benedick. Why, what’s the matter, That you have such a February face, So full of frost, of storm and cloudiness?

Good morrow, Benedick. Why, what’s the matter, That you have such a February face, So full of frost, of storm and cloudiness?

good morrow benedick why what’s the matter that you have such a february face

CLAUDIO ≋ verse Young passion wanting approval and reassurance

I think he thinks upon the savage bull.

Tush! fear not, man, we’ll tip thy horns with gold,

And all Europa shall rejoice at thee,

As once Europa did at lusty Jove,

When he would play the noble beast in love.

I think he thinks upon the savage bull. Tush! fear not, man, we’ll tip your horns with gold, And all Europa shall rejoice at you, As once Europa did at lusty Jove, When he would play the noble beast in love.

I think he thinks upon the savage bull. Tush! fear not, man, we’ll tip your horns with gold, And all Europa shall rejoice at you, As once Europa did at lusty Jove, When he would play the noble beast in love.

i think he thinks upon the savage bull tush fear not man we’ll tip your horns with gold

BENEDICK ≋ verse Confident bluster masking uncertainty

Bull Jove, sir, had an amiable low:

And some such strange bull leap’d your father’s cow,

And got a calf in that same noble feat,

Much like to you, for you have just his bleat.

Bull Jove, sir, had an amiable low: And some such strange bull leap’d your father’s cow, And got a calf in that same noble feat, Much like to you, for you have just his bleat.

Bull Jove, sir, had an amiable low: And some such strange bull leap’d your father’s cow, And got a calf in that same noble feat, Much like to you, for you have just his bleat.

bull jove sir had an amiable low: and some such strange bull leap’d your father’s cow and got a calf in that same noble feat much like to you

CLAUDIO Young passion wanting approval and reassurance

For this I owe you: here comes other reckonings.

For this I owe you: here comes other reckonings.

For this I owe you: here comes other reckonings.

for this i owe you: here comes other reckonings.

Re-enter Antonio, with the ladies masked.
Which is the lady I must seize upon?
ANTONIO Protective uncle wisdom

This same is she, and I do give you her.

This same is she, and I do give you her.

This same is she, and I do give you her.

this same is she, and i do give you her.

CLAUDIO Young passion wanting approval and reassurance

Why then, she’s mine. Sweet, let me see your face.

Why then, she’s mine. Sweet, let me see your face.

Why then, she’s mine. Sweet, let me see your face.

why then, she’s mine. sweet, let me see your face.

LEONATO ≋ verse Gracious management of expectations and people

No, that you shall not, till you take her hand

Before this friar, and swear to marry her.

No, that you shall not, till you take her hand Before this friar, and swear to indeed her.

No, that you shan't, till you take her hand Before this friar, and swear to indeed her.

no that you shan't till you take her hand before this friar and swear to indeed her

CLAUDIO ≋ verse Young passion wanting approval and reassurance

Give me your hand: before this holy friar,

I am your husband, if you like of me.

Give me your hand: before this holy friar, I am your husband, if you like of me.

Give me your hand: before this holy friar, I'm your husband, if you like of me.

give me your hand: before this holy friar i'm your husband if you like of me

HERO Calculated silence and strategic word choice

And when I liv’d, I was your other wife:

And when I liv’d, I was your other wife:

And when I liv’d, I was your other wife:

and when i liv’d, i was your other wife:

[Unmasking.] And when you lov’d, you were my other husband.
CLAUDIO Young passion wanting approval and reassurance

Another Hero!

Another Hero!

Another Hero!

another hero!

HERO ≋ verse Calculated silence and strategic word choice

Nothing certainer:

One Hero died defil’d, but I do live,

And surely as I live, I am a maid.

Nothing certainer: One Hero died defil’d, but I do live, And surely as I live, I am a maid.

Nothing certainer: One Hero died defil’d, but I do live, And surely as I live, I'm a maid.

nothing certainer: one hero died defil’d but i do live and surely as i live i'm a maid

DON PEDRO Warm authority that moves others

The former Hero! Hero that is dead!

The former Hero! Hero that is dead!

The former Hero! Hero that is dead!

the former hero! hero that is dead!

LEONATO Gracious management of expectations and people

She died, my lord, but whiles her slander liv’d.

She died, my lord, but whiles her slander liv’d.

She died, my lord, but whiles her slander liv’d.

she died, my lord, but whiles her slander liv’d.

FRIAR ≋ verse Spiritual insight and moral perspective

All this amazement can I qualify:

When after that the holy rites are ended,

I’ll tell you largely of fair Hero’s death:

Meantime, let wonder seem familiar,

And to the chapel let us presently.

All this amazement can I qualify: When after that the holy rites are ended, I’ll tell you largely of fair Hero’s death: Meantime, let wonder seem familiar, And to the chapel let us presently.

All this amazement can I qualify: When after that the holy rites are ended, I’ll tell you largely of fair Hero’s death: Meantime, let wonder seem familiar, And to the chapel let us presently.

all this amazement can i qualify: when after that the holy rites are ended i’ll tell you largely of fair hero’s death: meantime let wonder seem familiar and to the chapel let us presently

BENEDICK Confident bluster masking uncertainty

Soft and fair, friar. Which is Beatrice?

Soft and fair, friar. Which is Beatrice?

Soft and fair, friar. Which is Beatrice?

soft and fair, friar. which is beatrice?

[Unmasking.] I answer to that name. What is your will?
BENEDICK Confident bluster masking uncertainty

Do not you love me?

Do not you love me?

don't you love me?

don't you love me?

BEATRICE Sharp wit hiding something real underneath

Why, no; no more than reason.

Why, no; no more than reason.

Why, no; no more than reason.

why, no; no more than reason.

BENEDICK ≋ verse Confident bluster masking uncertainty

Why, then, your uncle and the Prince and Claudio

Have been deceived; for they swore you did.

Why, then, your uncle and the Prince and Claudio Have been deceived; for they swore you did.

Why, then, your uncle and the Prince and Claudio Have been deceived; for they swore you did.

why then your uncle and the prince and claudio have been deceived for they swore you did

BEATRICE Sharp wit hiding something real underneath

Do not you love me?

Do not you love me?

don't you love me?

don't you love me?

BENEDICK Confident bluster masking uncertainty

Troth, no; no more than reason.

Troth, no; no more than reason.

Troth, no; no more than reason.

troth, no; no more than reason.

BEATRICE ≋ verse Sharp wit hiding something real underneath

Why, then my cousin, Margaret, and Ursula,

Are much deceiv’d; for they did swear you did.

Why, then my cousin, Margaret, and Ursula, Are much deceiv’d; for they did swear you did.

Why, then my cousin, Margaret, and Ursula, Are much deceiv’d; for they did swear you did.

why then my cousin margaret and ursula are much deceiv’d

BENEDICK Confident bluster masking uncertainty

They swore that you were almost sick for me.

They swore that you were almost sick for me.

They swore that you were almost sick for me.

they swore that you were almost sick for me.

BEATRICE Sharp wit hiding something real underneath

They swore that you were well-nigh dead for me.

They swore that you were well-nigh dead for me.

They swore that you were well-nigh dead for me.

they swore that you were well-nigh dead for me.

BENEDICK Confident bluster masking uncertainty

’Tis no such matter. Then you do not love me?

’Tis no such matter. Then you do not love me?

’Tis no such matter. Then you don't love me?

’tis no such matter. then you don't love me?

BEATRICE Sharp wit hiding something real underneath

No, truly, but in friendly recompense.

No, truly, but in friendly recompense.

No, truly, but in friendly recompense.

no, truly, but in friendly recompense.

LEONATO Gracious management of expectations and people

Come, cousin, I am sure you love the gentleman.

Come, cousin, I am sure you love the gentleman.

Come, cousin, I'm sure you love the gentleman.

come, cousin, i'm sure you love the gentleman.

CLAUDIO ≋ verse Young passion wanting approval and reassurance

And I’ll be sworn upon ’t that he loves her;

For here’s a paper written in his hand,

A halting sonnet of his own pure brain,

Fashion’d to Beatrice.

And I’ll be sworn upon ’t that he loves her; For here’s a paper written in his hand, A halting sonnet of his own pure brain, Fashion’d to Beatrice.

And I’ll be sworn upon ’t that he loves her; For here’s a paper written in his hand, A halting sonnet of his own pure brain, Fashion’d to Beatrice.

and i’ll be sworn upon ’t that he loves her for here’s a paper written in his hand a halting sonnet of his own pure brain fashion’d to beatrice

HERO ≋ verse Calculated silence and strategic word choice

And here’s another,

Writ in my cousin’s hand, stolen from her pocket,

Containing her affection unto Benedick.

And here’s another, Writ in my cousin’s hand, stolen from her pocket, Containing her affection unto Benedick.

And here’s another, Writ in my cousin’s hand, stolen from her pocket, Containing her affection unto Benedick.

and here’s another writ in my cousin’s hand stolen from her pocket containing her affection unto benedick

BENEDICK ≋ verse Confident bluster masking uncertainty

A miracle! here’s our own hands against our hearts. Come,

I will have thee; but, by this light, I take thee for pity.

A miracle! here’s our own hands against our hearts. Come, I will have you; but, by this light, I take you for pity.

A miracle! here’s our own hands against our hearts. Come, I will have you; but, by this light, I take you for pity.

a miracle here’s our own hands against our hearts come i will have you but

BEATRICE Sharp wit hiding something real underneath

I would not deny you; but, by this good day, I yield upon great

persuasion, and partly to save your life, for I was told you were in a

consumption.

I would not deny you; but, by this good day, I yield upon great persuasion, and partly to save your life, for I was told you were in a consumption.

I wouldn't deny you; but, by this good day, I yield upon great persuasion, and partly to save your life, for I was told you were in a consumption.

i wouldn't deny you but by this good day i yield upon great persuasion and partly to save your life

BENEDICK Confident bluster masking uncertainty

Peace! I will stop your mouth. [Kisses her.]

Peace! I will stop your mouth. [Kisses her.]

Peace! I will stop your mouth. [Kisses her.]

peace! i will stop your mouth. [kisses her.]

DON PEDRO Warm authority that moves others

How dost thou, Benedick, the married man?

How do you, Benedick, the married man?

How do you, Benedick, the married man?

how do you, benedick, the married man?

BENEDICK Confident bluster masking uncertainty

I’ll tell thee what, Prince; a college of witcrackers cannot flout me

out of my humour. Dost thou think I care for a satire or an epigram?

No; if man will be beaten with brains, a’ shall wear nothing handsome

about him. In brief, since I do purpose to marry, I will think nothing

to any purpose that the world can say against it; and therefore never

flout at me for what I have said against it, for man is a giddy thing,

and this is my conclusion. For thy part, Claudio, I did think to have

beaten thee; but, in that thou art like to be my kinsman, live

unbruised, and love my cousin.

I’ll tell you what, Prince; a college of witcrackers cannot flout me out of my humour. do you think I care for a satire or an epigram? No; if man will be beaten with brains, a’ shall wear nothing handsome about him. In brief, since I do purpose to indeed, I will think nothing to any purpose that the world can say against it; and therefore never flout at me for what I have said against it, for man is a giddy thing, and this is my conclusion. For your part, Claudio, I did think to have beaten you; but, in that you are like to be my kinsman, live unbruised, and love my cousin.

I’ll tell you what, Prince; a college of witcrackers can't flout me out of my humour. do you think I care for a satire or an epigram? No; if man will be beaten with brains, a’ shall wear nothing handsome about him. In brief, since I do purpose to indeed, I will think nothing to any purpose that the world can say against it; and therefore never flout at me for what I have said against it, for man is a giddy thing, and this is my conclusion. For your part, Claudio, I did think to have beaten you; but, in that you are like to be my kinsman, live unbruised, and love my cousin.

i’ll tell you what prince a college of witcrackers can't flout me out of my humour do you think i care for a satire or an epigram no

CLAUDIO Young passion wanting approval and reassurance

I had well hoped thou wouldst have denied Beatrice, that I might

have cudgelled thee out of thy single life, to make thee a double-dealer;

which, out of question, thou wilt be, if my cousin do not look exceeding

narrowly to thee.

I had well hoped you wouldst have denied Beatrice, that I might have cudgelled you out of your single life, to make you a double-dealer; which, out of question, you wilt be, if my cousin do not look exceeding narrowly to you.

I had well hoped you wouldst have denied Beatrice, that I might have cudgelled you out of your single life, to make you a double-dealer; which, out of question, you wilt be, if my cousin don't look exceeding narrowly to you.

i had well hoped you wouldst have denied beatrice that i might have cudgelled you out of your single life to make you a double-dealer which out of question

BENEDICK Confident bluster masking uncertainty

Come, come, we are friends. Let’s have a dance ere we are

married, that we may lighten our own hearts and our wives’ heels.

Come, come, we are friends. Let’s have a dance before we are married, that we may lighten our own hearts and our wives’ heels.

Come, come, we are friends. Let’s have a dance before we are married, that we may lighten our own hearts and our wives’ heels.

come come we are friends let’s have a dance before we are married that we may lighten our own hearts and our wives’ heels

LEONATO Gracious management of expectations and people

We’ll have dancing afterward.

We’ll have dancing afterward.

We’ll have dancing afterward.

we’ll have dancing afterward.

BENEDICK Confident bluster masking uncertainty

First, of my word; therefore play, music! Prince, thou art sad;

get thee a wife, get thee a wife: there is no staff more reverent than one

tipped with horn.

First, of my word; therefore play, music! Prince, you are sad; get you a wife, get you a wife: there is no staff more reverent than one tipped with horn.

First, of my word; therefore play, music! Prince, you are sad; get you a wife, get you a wife: there is no staff more reverent than one tipped with horn.

first of my word therefore play music prince

Enter Messenger.
MESSENGER ≋ verse Professional, efficient delivery

My lord, your brother John is ta’en in flight,

And brought with armed men back to Messina.

My lord, your brother John is ta’en in flight, And brought with armed men back to Messina.

My lord, your brother John is ta’en in flight, And brought with armed men back to Messina.

my lord your brother john is ta’en in flight and brought with armed men back to messina

BENEDICK ≋ verse Confident bluster masking uncertainty

Think not on him till tomorrow: I’ll devise thee

brave punishments for him. Strike up, pipers!

Think not on him till tomorrow: I’ll devise you brave punishments for him. Strike up, pipers!

Think not on him till tomorrow: I’ll devise you brave punishments for him. Strike up, pipers!

think not on him till tomorrow: i’ll devise you brave punishments for him strike up pipers

[Dance. Exeunt.]

The Reckoning

The final scene orchestrates redemption and renewal: false accusations unmask to reveal truth; denial yields to confession; the play moves from shame to celebration, from anger to dance.

If this happened today…

Public wrongs require public correction; happy endings come not from denial but from facing truth and choosing each other anew.