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    Kill Claudio

    Much Ado About Nothing

    William Shakespeare

    2 characters
    2-3 min
    serio-comedic

    Characters

    Beatrice (F)
    Sharp-witted cousin of the wronged Hero
    Benedick (M)
    A soldier newly in love with Beatrice

    Context

    After Hero has been publicly shamed at her wedding by Claudio, Beatrice and Benedick finally confess their love. But Beatrice has a devastating request.

    Scene Text

    BENEDICK:

    Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while?

    BEATRICE:

    Yea, and I will weep a while longer.

    BENEDICK:

    I will not desire that.

    BEATRICE:

    You have no reason; I do it freely.

    BENEDICK:

    Surely I do believe your fair cousin is wronged.

    BEATRICE:

    Ah, how much might the man deserve of me that would right her!

    BENEDICK:

    Is there any way to show such friendship?

    BEATRICE:

    A very even way, but no such friend.

    BENEDICK:

    May a man do it?

    BEATRICE:

    It is a man's office, but not yours.

    BENEDICK:

    I do love nothing in the world so well as you: is not that strange?

    BEATRICE:

    As strange as the thing I know not. It were as possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you: but believe me not; and yet I lie not; I confess nothing, nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin.

    BENEDICK:

    By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me.

    BEATRICE:

    Do not swear, and eat it.

    BENEDICK:

    I will swear by it that you love me; and I will make him eat it that says I love not you.

    BEATRICE:

    Will you not eat your word?

    BENEDICK:

    With no sauce that can be devised to it. I protest I love thee.

    BEATRICE:

    Why, then, God forgive me!

    BENEDICK:

    What offence, sweet Beatrice?

    BEATRICE:

    You have stayed me in a happy hour: I was about to protest I loved you.

    BENEDICK:

    And do it with all thy heart.

    BEATRICE:

    I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest.

    BENEDICK:

    Come, bid me do anything for thee.

    BEATRICE:

    Kill Claudio.

    BENEDICK:

    Ha! not for the wide world.

    BEATRICE:

    You kill me to deny it. Farewell.

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