Match Quotes to Themes: Marriage

BEATRICE Just, if he send me no husband; for the which blessing I am at him upon my knees every morning and evening. Lord, I could not endure a husband with a beard on his face. I had rather lie in the woollen! LEONATO You may light on a husband that hath no beard. BEATRICE What should I do with him? dress him in my apparel and make him my waiting gentlewoman? He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man; and he that is more than a youth is not for me; and he that is less than a man, I am not for him. (2.1.27)

Beatrice denounces marriage in general, but you'll note that she goes on to point out the particular flaws of particular men. We're left to guess whether she is against the institution of marriage in principle, or whether she's simply convinced she'll never find the right man. (Or is her man-bashing a consolation prize because she hasn't found anyone yet?) Lots of possibilities, but the point is, she's not stoked about marriage.

BEATRICE Good Lord, for alliance! Thus goes every one to the world but I, and I am sunburnt. I may sit in a corner and cry 'Heigh-ho for a husband!' (2.1.318)

Beatrice jokes that she is unattractive and will never get a husband. (As though this were the sole reason she is still unmarried.) It's also interesting to note that her "Good Lord, for alliance!" mirrors Benedick's concern that he'll never see another old bachelor - both of them seem to be sensitive to the fact that everyone is getting married, except for them.

BENEDICK The savage bull may; but if ever the sensible Benedick bear it, pluck off the bull's horns and set them in my forehead, and let me be vilely painted, and in such great letters as they write 'Here is good horse to hire,' let them signify under my sign 'Here you may see Benedick the married man.' (1.1.262)

Benedick equates marriage with being whipped, tamed, and cuckolded. Marrying would mean sacrificing his independence and breaking his pride, and Benedick finds the prospect of losing either foolish. It's a strong enough intuition to sour him on marriage altogether.

BENEDICK No, the world must be peopled. When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married. (2.3.242)

Benedick provides his first reason that marriage is actually quite necessary. Not for love or honor, but because it's our duty to procreate.

LEONATO Daughter, remember what I told you. If the Prince do solicit you in that kind, you know your answer. (2.1.66)

Essentially, Leonato is saying, "You'll know your answer because I told you your answer." Thus we add one more facet to the presentation of marriage in the play: it's not necessarily an arrangement made out of love, but more like a transaction that can be worked upon and influenced by outside forces.

HERO God give me joy to wear it! for my heart is exceeding heavy. (3.4.24)

It's Hero's wedding day, and she should be really excited, but she's not. Some camps might interpret this to mean that her feelings foreshadow the ills that will befall her at her wedding. Those of us who don't believe in psychics see some other, more practical reasons. She's about to marry a man who she has not (at least not on stage) had a single conversation with. All the other characters of the play have spent a good deal of time talking about what marriage means to them, but we have yet to hear Hero's thoughts on her own wedding.

BENEDICK I would not marry her though she were endowed with all that Adam had left him before he transgress'd. (2.1.250)

It's notable that Benedick brings up marrying Beatrice, though no one else has even mentioned it. Stating so passionately that it's not on his mind shows that, actually, it's on his mind.

BENEDICK But I hope you have no intent to turn husband, have you? CLAUDIO I would scarce trust myself, though I had sworn the contrary, if Hero would be my wife. (1.1.193)

This is one of the first times that marriage is spoken of explicitly, and it's presented as an object of unwitting deception. Claudio apparently has been as anti-marriage as Benedick, but now that he wants to marry Hero, he notes that even he can't trust his own word. (This is a hint that he might be faithless in the process of getting married.)

BENEDICK Friar, I must entreat your pains, I think. FRIAR To do what, signior? BENEDICK To bind me, or undo me--one of them. (5.4.18)

Though he loves Beatrice, Benedick still jokes about marriage, saying he's not sure that their marriage won't be his "undoing." This hesitation helps to make Benedick seem a believable character - he isn't suddenly transformed into believing in marriage simply because he realized he's capable of love. Again, the disconnect between love and marriage is evident.