Act 2 Scene 3

Gulling = deceit or trickery

"MAAN is about the right deception that leads to marriage and the end of deceit and wrong deception that breeds conflict and distrust." Henze

Summary
Within this scene, Don Pedro, Claudio and Leonato begin the gulling of Benedick. "That your niece Beatrice was in love with Signor Benedick?" (92). The gulling of Benedick is an example of the "right deception" that Henze commented on. The three men decieve Bendick, and Benedick falls for it seemingly straight away. Any doubts on Benedick's part seem to be irradicated by Leonato's inclusion in the conversation, "I should think this is a gull, but that the white-beared fellow speaks it." Double entendres make an appearence in this scene, "she found 'Benedick' and 'Beatrice' between ths sheet?'. This line could be taken as Benedick and Beatrice were written down on pieces of paper because of Beatrice's love letters, or the line could be read as 'betwen the sheets' meaning sex. The three men continue the gulling by talking well of Beatrice, "She's an excellent sweet lady." Once the other characters have exited the stage, Benedick presents his monologue. His complete change in attitude shows that the gulling has worked, "This can be no trick", and his opinion of Beatrice has completely changed, "They say the lady is fair- 'tis a truth." He also begins to make excuses as to why he said he'd never settled down, ie "When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married." After his monologue, Beatrice enters the stage, to "bid you come in to dinner." Beatrice appears to be just as verbally vicious as is norm throughout the play, "Against my will, I am sent.." Benedick interprets what Beatrice has said as evidence for her supposed love for him, "Ha! 'Against my will I am sent to bid you come in to dinner' - there's a double meaning in that."

Questions

What are eight "graces" which Benedick believes a hypothetical woman must have before he would consider marrying her? What one quality is he flexible upon?

8 graces = Rich, wise, fair virtuous, mild, noble, good discourse (well spoken), excellent musician.

Benedick is flexible upon the her colour of any future woman "her hair shall be of what colour it please God".

What one element of the "gulling scene" seems to convince Benedick that it is no trick? Wha effect does the news of Beatrice's possible suicide have on Benedick?

Any doubts on Benedick's part seem to be irradicated by Leonato's inclusion in the conversation, "I should think this is a gull, but that the white-beared fellow speaks it."
The news of Beatrice's possible suicide makes him react with the possibility of marriage, "They say too that she will rather die than give any sign of affection. I did never think to marry."

What is Beatrice's meaning in the message she delivers to Benedick between lines 243 - 252? What does Benedick think she means?

Beatrice means that it has not caused her any trouble calling Benedick in for dinner, and if it had then she wouldn't have bothered (showing she has no affection towards him). Benedick takes her message as meaning that  "Any pains that I take for you is as easyas thanks."