Quotation 1

Signor Baptista, my business asketh haste,
And every day I cannot come to woo.
You knew my father well, and in him me,
Left solely heir to all his lands and goods,
Which I have better'd rather than decreased:
Then tell me, if I get your daughter's love,
What dowry shall I have with her to wife? (2.1.114-20)

• paraphrase the passage and explain where it comes in the play and what it means in its context,

• say what the quotation shows about the speaker's character

• show how the speech is consistent with the character's action or speech elsewhere or represents an important change from different behavior or speech elsewhere.

To respond to this Character Question1, copy the question into a word processor, write your response and then submit it as indicated by your instructor.

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Quotation 2

Well, come . . . ; we will unto your father's,
Even in these honest mean habiliments [plain clothes].
Our purses shall be proud, our garments poor:
For 't is the mind that makes the body rich;
And as the sun breaks through the darkest clouds,
So honour peereth in the meanest habit [clothing].
What, is the jay more precious than the lark
Because his feathers are more beautiful?
Or is the adder better than the eel Because his painted skin contents the eye?
O, no . . . ; neither art thou the worse
For this poor furniture [clothing] and mean array.
If thou account'st it shame, lay it on me;
And therefore frolic: we will hence forthwith,
To feast and sport us at thy father's house. (4.3.167-81)

• paraphrase the passage and explain where it comes in the play and what it means in its context,

• say what the quotation shows about the speaker's character

• show how the speech is consistent with the character's action or speech elsewhere or represents an important change from different behavior or speech elsewhere.

To respond to this Character Question2, copy the question into a word processor, write your response and then submit it as indicated by your instructor.

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Quotation 3

Now let me see if I can construe it: Hic ibat Simois, I know you not; hic est Sigeia tellus, I trust you not; Hic steterat Priami, take heed he hear us not; regia, presume not; celsa senis, despair not. (3.1.40-43)

• paraphrase the passage and explain where it comes in the play and what it means in its context,

• say what the quotation shows about the speaker's character

• show how the speech is consistent with the character's action or speech elsewhere or represents an important change from different behavior or speech elsewhere.

To respond to this Character Question3, copy the question into a word processor, write your response and then submit it as indicated by your instructor.

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Quotation 4

Am I a lord, and have I such a lady?
Or did I dream? Or have I dreamed till now?
I do not sleep: I see, I hear, I speak,
I smell sweet savors and I feel soft things.
Upon my life, I am a lord indeed
And not a tinker . . . .
Well, bring our lady hither to our sight,
And once again a pot o' th' smallest ale"(In.2.68-75)

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• paraphrase the passage and explain where it comes in the play and what it means in its context,

• say what the quotation shows about the speaker's character

• show how the speech is consistent with the character's action or speech elsewhere or represents an important change from different behavior or speech elsewhere.

To respond to this Character Question4, copy the question into a word processor, write your response and then submit it as indicated by your instructor.

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Quotation 5

Nay, look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret;
I will be master of what is mine own.
She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house,
My household stuff, my field, my barn,
My horse, my ox, my ass, my anything;
And here she stands, touch her whoever dare;
I'll bring mine action on the proudest he
That stops my way in Padua. Grumio,
Draw forth thy weapon, we're beset with thieves;
Rescue thy mistress, if thou be a man.
Fear not, sweet wench; they shall not touch thee. (3.2.228-38)

• paraphrase the passage and explain where it comes in the play and what it means in its context,

• say what the quotation shows about the speaker's character

• show how the speech is consistent with the character's action or speech elsewhere or represents an important change from different behavior or speech elsewhere.

To respond to this Character Question5, copy the question into a word processor, write your response and then submit it as indicated by your instructor.

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