Much Ado about nothing
LEONATO - Governor of Messina
HERO - Leonato's Daughter
BEATRICE - Niece of Leonato
ANTONIO - Leonato's Brother
CLAUDIO - A young Lord of Florence
BENEDICK - A young Lord of Padua
URSULA - Waiting - gentlewomen
MARGARET - Waiting - gentlewomen
DON PEDRO - Prince of Arragon
BALTHASAR - Attendant on Don Pedro
DON JOHN - Don Pedro's Brother/ The "Bastard" Prince
BORACHIO - Follower of Don John
CONRADE - Follower of Don John
FRIAR FRANCIS - A Preist
DOGBERRY - A constable
VERGES- Deputy Constable/ Dogberry's Partner
LEONATO - Governor of Messina
HERO - Leonato's Daughter
BEATRICE - Niece of Leonato
ANTONIO - Leonato's Brother
CLAUDIO - A young Lord of Florence
BENEDICK - A young Lord of Padua
URSULA - Waiting - gentlewomen
MARGARET - Waiting - gentlewomen
DON PEDRO - Prince of Arragon
BALTHASAR - Attendant on Don Pedro
DON JOHN - Don Pedro's Brother/ The "Bastard" Prince
BORACHIO - Follower of Don John
CONRADE - Follower of Don John
FRIAR FRANCIS - A Preist
DOGBERRY - A constable
VERGES- Deputy Constable/ Dogberry's Partner
Act One, Scene Two
Plot/Action
The play is set in an idyllic royal setting in Messina, in Italy. Leonato wishes to find someone suitable for his daughter, Hero. He is looking for a suitor with status and is interested in men returning from the battle. Thi is evident when he says "How many gentlemen have you lost in the action" which he asks to inquire about the gentleman left as his motive is to find someone for his daughter and we can deduce he is looking for someone with a high ranking status since he only inquires about the gentleman. Don Pedro and his men arrive. Beatrice and Benedick seem to have a history together as they have a love-hate relationship. Beatrice is always insulting him but always finding a way to enquire about him. The plot is typical of a comedy as it has elements of comedy such as confusion and mistaken identity which occurs when Don Pedro offers to disguise himself as Claudio and woo Hero for Claudio, who is betrothed to Hero. There are multiple intertwining plots such as Leonato looking for a potential son-in-law, Beatrice and Benedick's merry war and Claudio and Hero's match. Language
There is the use of insincere poetry by Claudio who uses exaggerated language to show love for Claudio however it doesn't seem very authentic as it iis overly romantic and poetic. He also compares her to a 'jewel' and so he is objectifying her and is linking her to wealth, which is what he wishes to gain from her. Speaking in poetry conveys a sense of artificiality. There is also Stichomythia as there are many verbal battles, battles of wit between Benedick and Beatrice and so there are many short witty interactions and witty banter. |
Characterisation
Claudio is a flat character. He wears his heart on his sleeves. His motive seems to be money and inheritance as he's never talked to Hero yet wishes to marry her and he also ensures that she is the heir of her father's inheritance. He looks young and innocent however he is capable of violence as he is described as a lion with the appearance of a lamb. Leonato is a typical father figure who wants the best suitor possible for his daughter but in order to do this he is sly, and scheming as he has agenda for everything he does. Benedick and Beatrice are both rounded characters that are similar as they both have layers of personality. They are unaware of each other's suppressed feelings for each other and they are able to mask these by putting up a proud and arrogant front. Don Pedro is powerful and confident. He likes to meddle in other people's business and take matters into his own hands. He likes to take control of the situation and be in charge as he interferes in Claudio and Hero's matter and decides to woo Hero for him. Don John comes across as sinister character who is rather quiet. This is because he is a plain dealing villain, with an air of melancholy and bitterness about him. |
Act 2 Scene 1
Hero doesn't seem to speak very often in the text as of yet which gives the impression that she is not very significant and she is a submissive character, she may be representative of the conventional woman of the society that existed at the time as she was willing to let others dictate her life and she was a passive recipient of other people's wishes.
Don John is trying to use mistaken identity again to fool Claudio into thinking that Hero is sleeping with other men and is being disloyal. He wishes to sabotage Claudio and Hero's relationship. Claudio is easily provoked and has a quick temper as he was quick to believe what he's told and react. He is very gullible as he feels betrayed by Don Pedro, when he is under the impression that Don Pedro wants Hero to himself. Don Pedro resolves this and clears the confusion and makes his intentions clear. However this foreshadows later's events and shows how vulnerable Claudio is. We find out that Beatrice and Benedick had a past together and she had given him her heart but she felt that he did her wrong which is why she is bitter now. Don Pedro plans to get Benedick and Beatrice together as they are both too proud to confess their love for each other. |
Act 2, Scene 2
Don John is plotting to make Claudio believe that Hero is having an affair to get revenge on Claudio.
The dramatic importance of this scene in midst of the happy scenes is to balance out the comedic scene and it is important for something to be at stake as it creates tension and grips the audiences interest. Act 2, Scene 3
Benedick is frustrated at the fact that Claudio is no longer a Bachelor and has fallen in love when they both used to mock the idea of falling love lvoe together. It creates humour because it is ironic as we the audience know that Benedick is soon going to be with Beatrice himself.
Don Pedro and Leonato set the trap for Benedick by ensuring he is eavesdropping when they talk about how Beatrice is in love with Benedick and writes love letters t him but doesn't ever confess her lobe as she is afraid he will ridicule her. Benedick feels guilty due to this and takes the bait as he believes all this. This is a white lie since Beatrice really does love him but she covers it up with a front and Don Pedro and Leonato wish to reveal this by making sure both of them can avoid the confrontation of having to confess their feelings first. At the end of the scene, there is some happiness but this is tainted by the knowledge that something is going to go with Hero as Claudio is prepared to shame her if he comes to witness that she is having an affair. |