Benedick Quote by William Shakespeare
“Why, i' faith, methinks she's too low for a high praise, too brown for a fair praise and too little for a great praise: only this commendation I can afford her, that were she other than she is, she were unhandsome; and being no other but as she is, I do not like her. (Benedick, from Much Ado About Nothing)”
About This Quote
Source Play: Much Ado About Nothing, Act 2, Scene 3
Benedick criticizes a woman for not meeting high standards, concluding she is unappealing as she is, reflecting societal expectations of beauty and worth.
In simple terms: He devalues a woman for not fitting ideal standards.
Key Takeaway
Question societal standards of beauty and worth.
Themes
beauty
social expectations
self‑esteem
judgment
gender
Mood
critical
reflective
analytical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- dating advice
- self‑esteem workshops
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
feminist critique
social construct
self‑acceptance
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we challenge unrealistic beauty standards?
- What impact does such judgment have on self‑worth?
A Different Perspective
The critique reinforces harmful stereotypes about women's value.
