How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line) Line numbers correspond to the Riverside edition.
Quote #16
CLAUDIO
Done to death by slanderous tongues
Was the Hero that here lies.
Death, in guerdon of her wrongs,
Gives her fame which never dies.
So the life that died with shame
Lives in death with glorious fame. (5.3.3-8)
This is a really telling commentary about priorities in the play. Claudio’s epitaph clears Hero’s reputation, but says nothing of his love for her.
Quote #17
FRIAR
Did I not tell you she was innocent?
LEONATO
So are the Prince and Claudio, who accused her
Upon the error that you heard debated.
But Margaret was in some fault for this,
Although against her will, as it appears
In the true course of all the question. (5.4.1-6)
Leonato has cleared Don Pedro and Claudio’s reputation. Once Leonato learned that the men had been misinformed, and that they acted on that misinformation, he declares the men innocent. Still, it’s dubious whether their actions are justified simply by their misunderstanding.
Quote #18
HERO
One Hero died defiled, but I do live,
And surely as I live, I am a maid.
PRINCE
The former Hero! Hero that is dead!
LEONATO
She died, my lord, but whiles her slander lived. (5.4.65-68)
Hero doesn’t lament the damage that the men have done to her feelings, or even to herself, but instead excuses the men because her reputation has been cleared.