Much Ado About Nothing, Act 3 Scene 5 runs 58 lines of dialogue, spoken by 4 speakers. That is shorter than the play’s average scene length of about 152 lines. This scene is part of Act 3 of Much Ado About Nothing.
Full Dialogue
Leonato ♂
What would you with me, honest neighbour?
Dogberry ♂
Marry, sir, I would have some confidence with you
that decerns you nearly.
that decerns you nearly.
Leonato ♂
Brief, I pray you; for you see it is a busy time with me.
Dogberry ♂
Marry, this it is, sir.
Verges ♂
Yes, in truth it is, sir.
Leonato ♂
What is it, my good friends?
Dogberry ♂
Goodman Verges, sir, speaks a little off the
matter: an old man, sir, and his wits are not so
blunt as, God help, I would desire they were; but,
in faith, honest as the skin between his brows.
matter: an old man, sir, and his wits are not so
blunt as, God help, I would desire they were; but,
in faith, honest as the skin between his brows.
Verges ♂
Yes, I thank God I am as honest as any man living
that is an old man and no honester than I.
that is an old man and no honester than I.
Dogberry ♂
Comparisons are odorous: palabras, neighbour Verges.
Leonato ♂
Neighbours, you are tedious.
Dogberry ♂
It pleases your worship to say so, but we are the
poor duke's officers; but truly, for mine own part,
if I were as tedious as a king, I could find it in
my heart to bestow it all of your worship.
poor duke's officers; but truly, for mine own part,
if I were as tedious as a king, I could find it in
my heart to bestow it all of your worship.
Leonato ♂
All thy tediousness on me, ah?
Dogberry ♂
Yea, an 'twere a thousand pound more than 'tis; for
I hear as good exclamation on your worship as of any
man in the city; and though I be but a poor man, I
am glad to hear it.
I hear as good exclamation on your worship as of any
man in the city; and though I be but a poor man, I
am glad to hear it.
Verges ♂
And so am I.
Leonato ♂
I would fain know what you have to say.
Verges ♂
Marry, sir, our watch to-night, excepting your
worship's presence, ha' ta'en a couple of as arrant
knaves as any in Messina.
worship's presence, ha' ta'en a couple of as arrant
knaves as any in Messina.
Dogberry ♂
A good old man, sir; he will be talking: as they
say, when the age is in, the wit is out: God help
us! it is a world to see. Well said, i' faith,
neighbour Verges: well, God's a good man; an two men
ride of a horse, one must ride behind. An honest
soul, i' faith, sir; by my troth he is, as ever
broke bread; but God is to be worshipped; all men
are not alike; alas, good neighbour!
say, when the age is in, the wit is out: God help
us! it is a world to see. Well said, i' faith,
neighbour Verges: well, God's a good man; an two men
ride of a horse, one must ride behind. An honest
soul, i' faith, sir; by my troth he is, as ever
broke bread; but God is to be worshipped; all men
are not alike; alas, good neighbour!
Leonato ♂
Indeed, neighbour, he comes too short of you.
Dogberry ♂
Gifts that God gives.
Leonato ♂
I must leave you.
Dogberry ♂
One word, sir: our watch, sir, have indeed
comprehended two aspicious persons, and we would
have them this morning examined before your worship.
comprehended two aspicious persons, and we would
have them this morning examined before your worship.
Leonato ♂
Take their examination yourself and bring it me: I
am now in great haste, as it may appear unto you.
am now in great haste, as it may appear unto you.
Dogberry ♂
It shall be suffigance.
Leonato ♂
Drink some wine ere you go: fare you well.
Messenger ♂
My lord, they stay for you to give your daughter to
her husband.
her husband.
Leonato ♂
I'll wait upon them: I am ready.
Dogberry ♂
Go, good partner, go, get you to Francis Seacole;
bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the gaol: we
are now to examination these men.
bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the gaol: we
are now to examination these men.
Verges ♂
And we must do it wisely.
Dogberry ♂
We will spare for no wit, I warrant you; here's
that shall drive some of them to a non-come: only
get the learned writer to set down our
excommunication and meet me at the gaol.
that shall drive some of them to a non-come: only
get the learned writer to set down our
excommunication and meet me at the gaol.
58 lines rendered verbatim from the dialogue corpus.
Who’s On Stage
Speaking characters in this scene
| Character | Lines | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Dogberry | 36 | 62.1% |
| Leonato | 12 | 20.7% |
| Verges | 8 | 13.8% |
| Messenger | 2 | 3.4% |
Line distribution
The top speaker in this scene delivers 36 lines, while the scene’s average per speaker is about 15 lines.
Total speakers on stage
4 named characters speak in this scene.
Scene in Context
Position within Act 3
This is Scene 5 of 5 in Act 3 of Much Ado About Nothing.
Scene length vs. play average
At 58 lines, this scene is shorter than the Much Ado About Nothing average scene in Much Ado About Nothing (~152 lines).
Adjacent scenes
Previous: Act 3 Scene 4 · Next: Act 4 Scene 1
About Act 3 Scene 5 of Much Ado About Nothing
Who carries Act 3 Scene 5 of Much Ado About Nothing?
Dogberry, with 36 lines — about 62% of the scene.
Is the scene a dialogue or a solo?
With 4 speakers and the lead holding 62% of the lines, this scene is a showcase for the lead voice.