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GCSE English Literature · key term
A local officer responsible for keeping the peace. In Shakespeare’s England, constables were ordinary members of the community rather than modern professional police officers.
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Paper 1
Revise: Dogberry and the watchDogberry is the constable who leads Messina’s watch, assisted by his deputy, Verges. He first appears in Act 3 Scene 3, when he gives the watchmen their instructions. He is proud of his authority and wants to sound knowledgeable, but his confused language repeatedly undermines him.
Paper 1
An official responsible for keeping the peace. In Elizabethan England, local constables were ordinary citizens undertaking policing duties rather than members of a modern professional police force.
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Dogberry is the self-important constable of Messina: an officer responsible for keeping the peace. His partner is Verges, and the watch carries out the night patrol. Dogberry wants others to recognise his wisdom and authority, but his attempts to sound impressive repeatedly reveal his confusion.
Paper 2
An officer responsible for maintaining order. In Much Ado About Nothing, Dogberry directs the watch and helps bring prisoners before the authorities.
Revise: Dogberry and the watchDogberry is the self-important constable who directs Messina’s watch, assisted by Verges. They first appear in Act 3 Scene 3, when the threat to Hero’s marriage is already developing. Their police duties make them responsible for public order, but Dogberry seems more interested in sounding authoritative than in explaining how to enforce the law.
Component 1
A local officer responsible for keeping the peace. Dogberry leads Messina’s watch.
Revise: Dogberry and the watchDogberry is a constable: a local officer responsible for keeping the peace. With his fellow officer Verges, he supervises the watch, the men who guard Messina’s streets at night. He considers himself wise, respectable and important.
