of old" (I.i. 131), evidence of this past relationship provides both a reason for the 'merry war' and his negative attitude towards love.
             In Act 2, Benedick's attitude towards love is changing positively and he starts to fancy Beatrice. In the mask ball, Beatrice insults Benedick to her dancing partner (Benedick), whom she pretends not to recognize, saying others find him completely boring. He feels annoyed by what she says, which shows his dignity has suffered to admit there may be some truth in what Bea
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