Beatrice
I wonder that you will still be talking, Signor Benedick; nobody marks you.
Benedick
What, my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yet living?
Beatrice
Is it possible disdain should die while she hath such meet food to feed it as Signor Benedick? Courtesy itself must convert to disdain, if you come in her presence.
How can I run out of things to make fun of with you around? Even the nicest of people can’t help mocking you.
Benedick
Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certain I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted; and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart, for, truly, I love none.
How many times do they repeat each other’s words or pick up on each other’s imagery? What might this tell us about them and how they feel about each other?
Beatrice
A dear happiness to women; they would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor! I thank God and my cold blood, I am of your humour for that; I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.
Women are lucky they don’t have to put up with you. I’m glad I feel the same way about love as you do. I would rather hear the ugliest, stupidest thing ever than a man say he loves me.
Benedick
God keep your ladyship still in that mind! So some gentleman or other shall 'scape a predestinate scratched face.
These two characters have met before. Is there anything in this exchange which suggests what happened between them?
Escape the fate of getting his face scratched.
Beatrice
Scratching could not make it worse, an 'twere such a face as yours were.
Benedick
Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher.
Beatrice
A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.
Benedick
I would my horse had the speed of your tongue, and so good a continuer. But keep your way, in God's name, I have done.
Were as good at keeping going.
Beatrice
You always end with a jade's trick; I know you of old.
Refers to a difficult horse that finds devious ways to throw off its rider.