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Age and build

A sensible man of marriageable age

“the sensible Benedick” (Much Ado, part 1)

Face and hair

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

Dress

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

Voice and speech

His tongue speaks what his heart thinks

“his tongue is the clapper; for what his heart thinks, his tongue speaks” (Much Ado, part 8)

Speaks in witty, elaborate conceits and jests

“huddling jest upon jest with such impossible conveyance upon me” (Much Ado, part 4)

Signature words

Addresses Beatrice as Lady Disdain

“What! my dear Lady Disdain, are you yet living” (Much Ado, part 1)

Frequent use of 'i' faith' as an oath

“Is’t come to this, in faith” (Much Ado, part 1)

Uses 'Go to' as an exclamation

“Go to, i’ faith; and thou wilt needs thrust thy neck into a yoke” (Much Ado, part 1)

Swears by his sword

“By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me” (Much Ado, part 12)

Gait and mannerisms

Hides in an arbour to eavesdrop

“See you where Benedick hath hid himself” (Much Ado, part 6)

Makes elaborate, theatrical gestures when speaking

“I stood like a man at a mark, with a whole army shooting at me” (Much Ado, part 4)

Strengths

Of noble strain and approved valour

“he is of a noble strain, of approved valour, and confirmed honesty” (Much Ado, part 4)

Quick wit and clever wordplay

“in despite of his quick wit and his queasy stomach, he shall fall in love with Beatrice” (Much Ado, part 4)

Can be secret and discreet when needed

“I can be secret as a dumb man; I would have you think so” (Much Ado, part 1)

Loyal friend willing to challenge for honour

“I am engaged, I will challenge him” (Much Ado, part 12)

Flaws

Vehemently opposed to marriage

“I will live a bachelor” (Much Ado, part 1)

Mocks women and marriage relentlessly

“a professed tyrant to their sex” (Much Ado, part 1)

Speaks harshly of Beatrice before loving her

“She speaks poniards, and every word stabs” (Much Ado, part 4)

Easily swayed by what others tell him

“This can be no trick: the conference was sadly borne” (Much Ado, part 6)

Traits

Merry and full of jests

“from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot, he is all mirth” (Much Ado, part 8)

Fears God despite his jesting

“the man doth fear God, howsoever it seems not in him by some large jests he will make” (Much Ado, part 6)

Proud and sensitive to mockery

“I am not so reputed: it is the base though bitter disposition of Beatrice that puts the world into her person” (Much Ado, part 4)

Capable of genuine love once convinced

“I will be horribly in love with her” (Much Ado, part 6)

Lines in their own words

“I noted her not; but I looked on her” (Much Ado, part 1)

“I would my horse had the speed of your tongue, and so good a continuer” (Much Ado, part 1)

“I do love nothing in the world so well as you: is not that strange” (Much Ado, part 12)

“I will live in thy heart, die in thy lap, and be buried in thy eyes” (Much Ado, part 15)

“man is a giddy thing, and this is my conclusion” (Much Ado, part 17)

“Peace! I will stop your mouth” (Much Ado, part 17)