How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line) Line numbers correspond to the Riverside edition.
Quote #1
BENEDICK
But I hope you have no intent to turn husband, have
you?
CLAUDIO
I would scarce trust myself, though I had
sworn the contrary, if Hero would be my wife. (1.1.189-192)
This is one of the first times that marriage is spoken of explicitly, and it’s presented as an object of unwitting deception. Claudio apparently has been as anti-marriage as Benedick, but now that he wants to marry Hero, he notes that even he can’t trust his own word.
Quote #2
BENEDICK
Is 't come to this? In faith, hath not the
world one man but he will wear his cap with
suspicion? Shall I never see a bachelor of threescore
again? Go to, i' faith, an thou wilt needs thrust
thy neck into a yoke, wear the print of it, and sigh
away Sundays. (1.1.193-198)
Benedick laments that marriage turns great men into pathetic idiots.
Quote #3
BENEDICK
The savage bull may; but if ever the sensible
Benedick bear it, pluck off the bull's horns and set
them in my forehead, and let me be vilely painted,
and in such great letters as they write "Here is good
horse to hire," let them signify under my sign "Here
you may see Benedick the married man." (1.1.257-262)
Benedick equates marriage with being whipped, tamed, and cuckolded. Marrying would mean sacrificing his independence and breaking his pride, and Benedick finds the prospect of losing either foolish. It’s a strong enough intuition to sour him on marriage altogether.