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Age and build

The book is silent here, so we keep this plain and neutral.

Face and hair

Fair complexion

“They say the lady is fair: ’tis a truth, I can bear them witness” (Much Ado, part 6)

Dress

The book is silent here, so we keep this plain and neutral.

Voice and speech

Speaks with mirth and no matter

“I was born to speak all mirth and no matter” (Much Ado, part 4)

Signature words

Signior (form of address)

“I pray you, is Signior Mountanto returned from the wars or no” (Much Ado, part 1)

I pray you (polite formula)

“I pray you, how many hath he killed and eaten in these wars” (Much Ado, part 1)

Alas (exclamation)

“Alas! he gets nothing by that” (Much Ado, part 1)

O Lord (exclamation)

“O Lord, he will hang upon him like a disease” (Much Ado, part 1)

By my troth (oath)

“Tis almost five o’clock, cousin; ’tis time you were ready. By my troth, I am exceeding ill” (Much Ado, part 10)

Gait and mannerisms

Runs close to the ground to eavesdrop

“look where Beatrice, like a lapwing, runs Close by the ground, to hear our conference” (Much Ado, part 7)

Shakes her head at long speeches

“you shake the head at so long a breathing” (Much Ado, part 4)

Strengths

Sharp wit and verbal dexterity

“her wit Values itself so highly, that to her All matter else seems weak” (Much Ado, part 7)

Capable of deep feeling and loyalty

“I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest” (Much Ado, part 12)

Passionate defender of her cousin's honour

“Is he not approved in the height a villain, that hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman” (Much Ado, part 12)

Flaws

Pride and scorn

“Stand I condemn’d for pride and scorn so much” (Much Ado, part 7)

Self-regard and disdain

“Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes, Misprising what they look on, and her wit Values itself so highly” (Much Ado, part 7)

Defensive mockery and cruelty in speech

“the base though bitter disposition of Beatrice that puts the world into her person” (Much Ado, part 4)

Traits

Unmarried and determined to remain so

“I had rather lie in the woollen” (Much Ado, part 4)

Independent and self-reliant

“I have a good eye, uncle: I can see a church by daylight” (Much Ado, part 4)

Capable of genuine transformation through love

“Contempt, farewell! and maiden pride, adieu! No glory lives behind the back of such” (Much Ado, part 7)

Honest and direct in her feelings

“I confess nothing, nor I deny nothing” (Much Ado, part 12)

Lines in their own words

“I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior Benedick: nobody marks you” (Much Ado, part 1)

“A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours” (Much Ado, part 1)

“I would rather have one of your father’s getting” (Much Ado, part 4)

“I yield upon great persuasion, and partly to save your life, for I was told you were in a consumption” (Much Ado, part 17)

“Foul words is but foul wind, and foul wind is but foul breath, and foul breath is noisome; therefore I will depart unkissed” (Much Ado, part 15)