I laughed during this scene as Sir Benedick (Branagh) listed his criteria for a mate:
• Fair
• Wise
• Virtuous
• Rich
• Mild
• Good discourse
• Excellent musician
• Non-preference color hair
His mate turned out to be his snark rival Beatrice, who fell short of some of his criteria. I loved that for the sake of love Sir Benedick's heart couldn't help itself, no matter a list.
I thought Beatrice matched all of them! It seems to be traditional to have Bea opening with 'Hey nonny nonny', sort of implying she wrote it, for example. She is the niece of Signor, maybe not as rich as Hero but not poor, surely? Maybe she isn't that mild to Benedick at the start, but she is to everyone else if you notice. She teases people, but she's not cruel or really emotional all the time.
shareThe funny thing, too, is that you just know he's thinking of Beatrice when he specifies that he wants someone "mild . . . or come not near me!"
You think you’re smart, but you’re not. You’re dumb. Very dumb. But you’ve met your match in me!
He doesn't ask for much does he(!)
Ashmi any question
We all consciously articulate that which we think is desirable, but in the end we get something that meshes with us, but, may not mesh well. The longer you wait the more leftovers you get.
Benedick was lucky in that he and Beatrice found one another early on, only he had to get his fighting out of his system before he settled down, and settled down with Beatrice.