A Night Watchman’s Duties?

“Why, you must be a long serving and quiet watchman; and I cannot see how you sleeping should offend anyone: only, have a care that your money is not stolen. If you meet a thief, you may suspect him, by virtue of your office, to be no true man; and, for such kind of men, the less you meddle or make with them, why the more is for your honesty. Truly, by your office, you may arrest him; but I think they that touch pitch will be defiled by it: the most peaceable way for you, if you do take a thief, is to let him show himself for what he is and ‘steal’ out of your company.”

These lines about the role of guard come from the mouth of Dogberry, a comical character in Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’. The speech is more about how to shirk your responsibility and duty than how to fulfil it. So what is the nature of a true or honest watchman? Who can we trust to be our guardian for our safe-keeping?