The Gulling of Benedick

'Benedick and Beatrice are self deceptive' - Richard Henze.

Benedick's soliloquiy does not contain iambic pentameter - plain speech, attempting to trick himself into thinking he isn't in love. Self-deceptive.

Audience assumes more power as they know that Benedick and Beatrice love each other.

Claims he wants a 'mild' woman - self-deceptive, Benedick wants Beatrice who is outspoken and sharp tongued.

Gulling Scene (Act 2, Scene 3)

• Compliments followed by insults - builds Benedick's confidence up, then knocks him down again = to make him believe that Beatrice is in love with him but not let him get big-headed about it, or boast about it to his companions. Meanwhile, in Beatrice's gulling scene, she is given solely insults to make her ponder upon her actions = guilt.
• Exaggerated and suspicious but Benedick does not suspect a gulling = hoping that it's true, whereas in Beatrice's gulling scene, the women are relaxed and convincing - Beatrice is less gullible and needs more convincing.
• 'Aside' lines - tells the audience that it's a trick and that Don Pedro, Claudio and Leonato know Benedick is hiding - intentional that Benedick overhears = foreshadowing that Benedick and Beatrice will fall in love, or reveal their love and break out of their self-deception.
• 'Beatrice will not tell Benedick' - whether Beatrice denies or admits her love, it's a win-win situation, as the men emphasise that she will not admit it = if she denies it, she loves him. If she admits it, she loves him.