Student Question
In "Much Ado About Nothing," who says "God will send you no horns"?
Quick answer:
In "Much Ado About Nothing," the phrase "God will send you no horns" is spoken by Leonato in Act II, Scene I. During a witty exchange, Leonato uses the proverb to suggest that God will not give "horns"—a metaphor for a husband—to someone too ill-tempered, like Beatrice. Beatrice humorously acknowledges her ill-temper and expresses gratitude for not being given a husband.
It's Act II Scene I in Much Ado About Nothing and Leonato and Beatrice are engaging in another round of witty bantering. During their verbal sparring Beatrice refers to the old proverb "God sends a curst cow short horns." What this means is that God gives an ill-tempered cow short horns so that she can't inflict damage on anyone. But the proverb, as Beatrice points out, doesn't say anything about a cow that is too ill-tempered. To such a creature, God will give no horns at all, as Leonato says:
So, by being too curst, God will send you no horns.
In her response to Leonato, Beatrice takes the word "horns" in a metaphorical sense to refer to husbands, as she soon makes clear:
Just, if he send me no husband, for the which blessing I am at him upon my knees every morning and evening.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.