I do much wonder that one man, seeing how much
another man is a fool when he dedicates his
behaviors to love, will, after he hath laughed at
such shallow follies in others, become the argument
of his own scorn by failing in love: and such a man
is Claudio. I have known when there was no music
with him but the drum and the fife; and now had he
rather hear the tabour and the pipe: I have known
when he would have walked ten mile a-foot to see a
good armour; and now will he lie ten nights awake,
carving the fashion of a new doublet. He was wont to
speak plain and to the purpose, like an honest man
and a soldier; and now is he turned orthography; his
words are a very fantastical banquet, just so many
strange dishes. May I be so converted and see with
these eyes? I cannot tell; I think not: I will not
be sworn, but love may transform me to an oyster; but
I'll take my oath on it, till he have made an oyster
of me, he shall never make me such a fool. One woman
is fair, yet I am well; another is wise, yet I am
well; another virtuous, yet I am well; but till all
graces be in one woman, one woman shall not come in
my grace. Rich she shall be, that's certain; wise,
or I'll none; virtuous, or I'll never cheapen her;
fair, or I'll never look on her; mild, or come not
near me; noble, or not I for an angel; of good
discourse, an excellent musician, and her hair shall
be of what colour it please God. Ha! the prince and
Monsieur Love! I will hide me in the arbour.
~Benedick in Much Ado about Nothing
If this does not amuse, then what, pray tell, can? *grins*
1 comment:
And 'tis obvious Benedick has never actually been in love by that point in the play.
Aye, Claudio is too zealous, but Benedick is a prude, and both are unrealistic. Claudio idolizes a woman who exists, and convinces himself that things he formerly found imperfect are now perfect by virtue of their association with his idol. Benedick's condition is far worse, though: he imagines himself with a perfect woman who does not exist and can never exist, because of original sin.
Claudio will run smack into the harsh wall of reality in his own good time; but like a socialist waiting for the classless society and never attaining it despite all his efforts of "reform", Benedick will continue to hope for perfection and be disappointed by the real, imperfect selection that Providence offers him -- unless, of course, in classic "African Queen" style, a harrowing adventure brings down the barriers of his and Beatrice's pride.
Why did God give so much wisdom about human nature to a guy who hated the Puritans as much as the Bard did?
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