60 minutes; 2 questions; 40 marks; 20% of GCSE
Respond concisely…
Hero instructs Margaret to fetch Beatrice and inform her that Hero and Ursula will be walking in the orchard, discussing Beatrice. Margaret is to pretend she overheard this conversation and encourage Beatrice to secretly eavesdrop from a hidden spot among the honeysuckles.
Margaret exits to fulfil her task, and Hero explains to Ursula that their plan is to talk about Benedick’s supposed love for Beatrice in a way that will compel Beatrice to believe it.
Beatrice enters, hiding behind the bower, and begins listening to their conversation.
Hero and Ursula proceed to praise Benedick, emphasising his virtues, such as his nobility, valour, and good reputation, while also discussing how deeply he is supposedly in love with Beatrice.
They describe Beatrice as being proud, disdainful, and quick to mock men, claiming that her sharp wit and self-assured nature make her incapable of loving anyone.
Ursula and Hero suggest that Benedick’s love for Beatrice should remain a secret, fearing that she would ridicule him if she found out.
As they continue their staged dialogue, Hero remarks on Beatrice’s tendency to find faults in every man and to turn their virtues into vices.
Beatrice, still hidden, is deeply affected by what she overhears, particularly by the suggestion that Benedick is suffering in silence due to her scorn.
Hero and Ursula conclude their conversation by deciding to leave and discuss wedding preparations, implying that Beatrice has been successfully “caught” in their trap.
After Hero and Ursula exit, Beatrice reflects on what she has overheard, showing a shift in her perspective as she begins to reconsider her feelings towards Benedick.