Question

Read this excerpt from the text that includes a quotation by William Shakespeare. Then, answer the question that follows. . . . they engage in a “merry war betwixt” them, in Shakespeare’s words. What is the effect of the underlined figure of speech in the text?

Answer 1

This is excerpt is taken from the play : “Much Ado About Nothing” by William Shakespeare, the first Act.

This is all about the courtship between Beatrix and signor Benedict. Always they engage in a war of wits, they insult each other with jokes, sarcasm and irony. They are intellectually very well matched so they enjoy this verbal clashing very much. This ‘merry war’ gives the play an interesting and entertaining angle.

Answer 2

The quotation "a merry war betwixt" refers to the way Benedict and Beatrice fight a duel of words each time they meet.

Both insult one another through jokes and puns, in an intelligent way, using irony and sarcasm, that have the objective to irritate the opponent. This competition seems to amuse them.

Benedict and Beatrice look like they hate one another, but Shakespeare uses his talent to show the psychological aspects of these characters, making the audience notice that, although the young couple cannot see it, they love each other.