Blog 2: Much Ado About Nothing Acts 1-2

Benedick the returning soldier is apparently carefree and immune to love. But is he? What does he really think of Beatrice and what are his thoughts after their latest "skirmish of wit"? Write two extracts from Benedick's diary: one written in the evening of Act 1 and one written earlier, before Benedick went away to war.

Before the war:

My prince, Pedro, has informed me that we are off to war, and I must make preparations as if I will not return. I do expect to die a bachelor, but my eye has been caught by a young woman. She is the governor's niece, a gentle lady named Beatrice. To my eye she is fair and lovely, with a wit and charm to match her looks. She seems to favor me as well, I do believe, as we've whiled away many an hour talking and walking in the garden. That time is precious to me, and turns my head towards home and hearth. Still, I may die in this war, and and it would not do to leave the lady mourning for me. Better to drive her off, to make her think I care not for her. Besides, even if I do survive, there are lovely ladies like as to the stars in the sky! Why would I wish myself tied to only one?

After the war:

Oh, that we were still at war. 'Tis as if we never left the battleground, for no sooner do I come back to Messina than I do encounter fair Beatrice, still bitter over our last time together. Perhaps my thought to distance myself from the lady was too hasty, and not thought out -- she does seem to hate me now. I'faith, if I'd known I would survive the war, I certainly would not have left her with such a bad taste for me! Now I have burned the ground between us, and it seems that nothing green can grow there evermore. Her first words to me were full of venom, and I had naught but to respond in kind. She did vex me; her tongue was never so sharp before! Perhaps 'tis true what they say: "Hell doth no fury like a woman scorned." Beatrice doth shown that hellish fury to me, for certain. Ah, well then -- there are many other stars in that sky -- time to seek one and wish upon it for myself.