Oh God, That I Were A Man!
(Is he not approved in the height a villain?)
$30.00
From Much Ado About Nothing By William Shakespeare
BEATRICE
Is he not approved in the height a villain, that hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman?
O that I were a man! What, bear her in hand until they come to take hands;
and then, with public accusation, uncovered slander, unmitigated rancour,
–O God, that I were a man! I would eat his heart in the market-place.
BENEDICK
Hear me, Beatrice,–
BEATRICE
Talk with a man out at a window! A proper saying!
BENEDICK
Nay, but, Beatrice,–
BEATRICE
Sweet Hero! She is wronged, she is slandered, she is undone.
BENEDICK
Beat—
BEATRICE
Princes and counties! Surely, a princely testimony,
a goodly count, Count Comfect;
a sweet gallant, surely!
O that I were a man for his sake! or that I had any friend would be a man for my sake!
But manhood is melted into courtesies, valour into compliment, and men are only turned into tongue, and trim ones too: he is now as valiant as Hercules that only tells a lie and swears it.
I cannot be a man with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving.
Music Video
Featuring Pascale Spinney, Mezzo-soprano and Josh Michal, French Horn | Produced by The Shakespeare Concerts & Watch Hour Films