What, my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yet living?
Benedick:
"What, my dear Lady Disdain! are you yet living?"
In this opening scene, we meet Beatrice and Benedick, one of two sets of lovers who are the focus of this romantic comedy. Some of the play's wittiest dialogue is exchanged between these two, both of whom claim to dislike each other as well as the state of wedlock. Of course, they are perfectly suited for each other and will end up falling in love, but only after an elaborate ruse brings them together. In this scene, Benedick has just entered, speaking with others; Beatrice begins the round of insults by asking him why is he talking since no one is listening to him. He responds "Lady Disdain! Are you yet living?" and she replies by asking how could such disdain die when Benedict is there to feed it?