Much Ado About Nothing Group

Question:

barkinmad13
barkinmad13
Student

What sort of 'wit' takes place in the play? Explain the word, how and who it's used with the play, refer to the text and include quotes.

Answer simply please!!

Rate question:

Posted by barkinmad13 on Saturday January 27, 2007 at 5:52 AM and tagged with beatrice and benedick, much ado about nothing, themes, wit.

Answers:


  1. a-b

    Wit in this context means the clever, interesting, and funny ways of speaking which various characters use in order to get their way or to prove their skill.

    The main relationship between Benedick and Beatrice revolves around wit. For example, at the very start of the play, Leonato says to a messenger bringing word that Benedick will soon arrive in Messina's court:

    "You must not, sir, mistake my niece. There / is a kind of merry war betwixt Signior / Benedick and her: they never met but there's / a skirmish of wit between them" / (I.i.61-64).

    It is a duel of wits and of will that informs the relation between the two main characters of the play, and is especially revealing when the play speaks about the differences between men and women.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/muchado/829

    Rate answer:

    Posted by a-b on Tuesday January 30, 2007 at 3:36 PM


  2. a-b

    Sorry, the quote I meant to put at the start of the play:

    "You must not, sir, mistake my niece. There is a kind of merry war betwixt Signior Benedick and her: they never met but there's a skirmish of wit between them" (I.i.61-64).

    Rate answer:

    Posted by a-b on Tuesday January 30, 2007 at 3:37 PM

  3. revolution
    revolution Teacher
    Doctorate

    Wit is characteristic of a metaphysical poetry as a style, and was prevalent in Shakespeare period, who admonished pretension with the phrase "Better a witty fool than a foolish wit". It may combine word play or manipulation of words with analytical  thinking, as a kind of verbal showing requiring deep attention, without intending to be humorous ; in fact wit can be a thin disguise for more inner feelings that are not shown directly towards the audience.

    Rate answer:

    Posted by revolution on Sunday July 26, 2009 at 1:16 AM