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Much Ado About Nothing An
Much Ado About Nothing An
1. Benedick, Claudio and Don Pedro return from the war and arrive at Leonato's house.
2. Benedick and Beatrice tease each other and Claudio falls in love with Hero.
3. Don John and Borachio plot to deceive Claudio at the masked ball.
4. Leonato, Don Pedro and Claudio trick Benedick into believing Beatrice loves him. A
similar trick is played on Beatrice by Hero and Ursula.
5. Don John tells Claudio his wife-to-be is unfaithful.
6. Claudio refuses Hero at the altar. The friar advises Leonato to announce that his daughter
is dead.
7. Don Pedro and Claudio discover they were wrong about Hero. Claudio agrees to make
amends by marrying Antonio's 'daughter' without seeing her.
8. At the wedding Claudio is delighted to unveil his new bride and find Hero.
9. Benedick and Beatrice agree to marry.
Detailed plot summary
The soldiers return from war
The play begins with the soldiers, Benedick, Claudio and Don Pedro, returning from the war.
When they arrive at Leonato's house in Messina, Beatrice meets them and she and Benedick
wittily banter back and forth. They appear to have known each other previously.
Claudio falls in love
Claudio falls in love with Leonato's daughter, Hero on sight as both her looks and her nature
appeal to him. Don Pedro offers to disguise himself as Claudio at a ball that evening to win
Hero's hand for his friend.
Don John plots to deceive Claudio
Borachio overhears Claudio's declaration of love and reports back to Don John, the villain of the
play. Don John plots to deceive Claudio.
Don Pedro plans to trick Benedick
The matchmaking plan for Hero and Claudio is a success and Leonato sets their wedding date for
one week's time. Don Pedro has an idea to make Beatrice and Benedick fall in love as well.
Detailed plot summary - Part 2
Don John plans to deceive Claudio
Meanwhile Borachio and Don John devise a plan to trick Claudio. They will persuade Margaret
to pretend she is Hero and invite Claudio to witness her expressing her love for someone else.
Tricking Benedick and Beatrice
Beatrice overhears Hero and Ursula discussing Benedick
Benedick hides in the orchard when his friends Leonato, Don Pedro and Claudio arrive. He
overhears them discuss how Beatrice is in love with him. He realises that he also has feelings for
her. Beatrice is also tricked by overhearing a conversation between Hero and Ursula about
Benedick's love for her. She admits to herself that she is in love with him.
Don John tells Claudio Hero is unfaithful
The night before the wedding, Don John tells Claudio his wife-to-be is unfaithful. Dogberry and
the Watch arrest Borachio and Conrade when they boast about their trick on Claudio.
Claudio rejects Hero
The next day, Claudio rejects Hero at the altar calling her a 'rotten orange'. Suspecting that foul
work is at play, the friar advises Leonato to pretend his daughter is dead.
Detailed plot summary - Part 3
Don Pedro and Claudio discover they were wrong
Beatrice and Benedick bicker good-naturedly
In response to Claudio's false accusations against Hero, Beatrice asks Benedick to 'Kill Claudio!'
and Leonato later challenges Claudio to a duel. When the Watch (led by Dogberry) appear with
Conrade and Borachio, Don Pedro and Claudio find out that they were mistaken. Claudio is
apologetic and agrees to make amends by proclaiming Hero's innocence and singing songs at her
tomb. He also consents to marrying Hero's uncle's unseen 'daughter'.
Claudio and Hero marry
At the wedding, Antonio's 'daughter' is revealed and Claudio is delighted to discover that his new
wife is in fact Hero.
Benedick and Beatrice agree to marry
Benedick asks for Beatrice's hand in marriage and after some more witty banter, she agrees.
News arrives via a messenger that Don John has been captured. The play ends with music and
dancing.
Much Ado About Nothing - Characters overview
There are two main love stories in this play. One shows Claudio falling in love with Hero, then
being tricked into thinking she is disloyal. He denounces her at the altar and later discovers he is
in the wrong. To make amends, he agrees to marry Antonio's daughter, who turns out to be Hero
in disguise.
The other story is that of Benedick and Beatrice. At the start of the play they tease each other and
bicker. Later, they are tricked into realising their love for the other and eventually they agree to
marry.
Main characters
Dogberry. Antonio. Borachio.. Conrade. Margaret. Ursula. The Watch. The Friar
Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing
Benedick is one of the main characters in this play and is initially presented as light-hearted
and carefree. In his banter with Beatrice he seems quick-witted and arrogant. When talking to his friend
Claudio, he scorns love and vows he will never marry. He is portrayed as mature and as having known
Beatrice previously.
However, he appears hurt by Beatrice's sharp words about him at the masked ball and he is quick
to give in to desire when he overhears his friends discussing Beatrice and her apparent love for
him.
By the end of the play we see Benedick transformed from soldier to lover and he asks for
Beatrice's hand in marriage. Their banter continues on less severe terms than at the start.
How is Benedick like
Evidence Analysis
this?
"they never meet
A 'skirmish' suggests a
Leonato explains to the but there's a
tussle or a fight, which
messenger that Beatrice skirmish of wit /
Witty shows us that Benedick and
and Benedick are both between
Beatrice are well matched
witty. them," (Act 1 Scene
in their cleverness.
1)
"But that my Lady Beatrice called him the
After dancing with
Beatrice should 'prince's fool' and this hurts
Beatrice at the masked ball
Proud know me, and not / Benedick's pride. His
he is offended by her
know me!" (Act 1 offence at her mistaking him
comments about him.
Scene 2) shows how full of self he is.
"When I said I
would / die a Despite his earlier claims
After eavesdropping on his
bachelor, I did not that he would never
friends in the orchard,
Changeable think I should live marry, he softens and
Benedick is quick to admit
till I / were changes when he suspects
his feelings have changed.
married." (Act 2 Beatrice loves him.
Scene 3)
The love between Beatrice
"Come, I will have
Even when he and and Benedick seems honest
thee; but, by this
Beatrice have agreed to and equal. They do not
Playful light, I take / thee
marry, he continues to change their playful
for pity." (Act 5
tease her. relationship after they have
Scene 4)
admitted their true feelings.
Social and historical context
Shakespeare's plays are generally organised into Comedy, Tragedy and History genres. Some of
the conventions of Shakespeare's comedies are seen in this play. For example, there is plenty of
misunderstanding and miscommunication that leads to comic moments. The characters of
Dogberry and the Watch play the classic comic-fool role, and Benedick too can be seen as
foolish at times.
However there are also elements of tragedy in Much Ado About Nothing. The way that Hero's
death is faked is similar to the way Juliet takes a potion to make her appear lifeless in Romeo
and Juliet.
Analysing the evidence
O, she misused me past the endurance of a block! / an oak but with one green leaf on it would
have / answered her; my very visor began to assume life and / scold with her. She told me, not
thinking I had been / myself, that I was the prince's jester, that I was / duller than a great thaw;
huddling jest upon jest / with such impossible conveyance upon me that I stood / like a man at a
mark, with a whole army shooting at / me. She speaks poniards, and every word stabs:(Act 2
Scene 1)
Question
"O, she misused me past the endurance of a block!" - this exclamation shows
Benedick's frustration with Beatrice. He compares himself to a block, unable to put up
with more abuse from her.
"my very visor began to assume life" - Benedick imagines that Beatrice was so
objectionable that even the mask he is wearing almost comes to life. It is ironic that he
refers to his mask in this way as we learn later that this 'merry war' between the two
characters masks their true feelings of love.
"every word stabs" - we see how Benedick is hurt by Beatrice's words. The imagery of
words that can 'stab' emphasises the pain he feels.
Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing
Beatrice is Benedick's equal, matching his wordplay in the opening scenes with clever retorts and
put-downs. Even from the start their lively banter seems to hide deeper feelings of desire.
When she overhears Hero and Ursula talking about how Benedick loves her, she is quick to
soften and acknowledge her own feelings for her former opponent.
She defends her cousin, Hero, when she is accused of being unfaithful and pleads with Benedick
to 'Kill Claudio!' She represents the inequality in society at the time, showing how, as a woman,
she is unable to take action and seek revenge.
In the end she agrees to marry Benedick, though she continues to tease him until he silences her
with a kiss.
How is Beatrice like
Evidence Analysis
this?
The sarcasm implied by
this nickname and the
"What, my dear Lady
Benedick greets her with question that Benedick
Disdain! Are you yet
Argumentative a nickname that means offers both show
living?" (Act 1 Scene
scornful. how their relationship is
1)
based on their quick-
witted arguments.
Beatrice speaks her
mind. When Benedick
"I wonder that you
returns from the wars,
will still be talking,
She puts Benedick down she shows her boldness
Bold Signior / Benedick;
in front of others. by speaking out against
nobody marks
him. She contrasts with
you." (Act 1 Scene 1)
Hero who is quiet and
well-behaved.
"By my troth, niece, Her outspokenness is
Leonato warns her that
thou wilt never get regarded as an
she will never be married
thee a / husband, if undesirable personality
Outspoken if she continues to be so
thou be so shrewd of trait. Women at the time
sharp in the way she
thy tongue." (Act 2 were expected to be
speaks.
Scene 1) discreet.
She claims she would
take revenge on Claudio
"O God, that I were a
She shows her if she were a man.
man! I would eat his
Frustrated by dissatisfaction with the The repetition of the
heart / in the market-
society role that society has phrase 'that I were a
place." (Act 4 Scene
dictated for women. man' in this scene
1)
emphasises her
frustration.
Social and historical context
The role of women in society was decidedly different during Shakespeare's time to today. Men
held a position of privilege and women were considered to be the property of their father or
husband. Beatrice shows her frustration with this injustice after Hero is left at the altar. She cries
out that she wishes she "were a man".
At the time, young male actors played all female roles, as the stage was not considered a suitable
place for women. This would have added further physical comedy to this play, as boys would
perform the parts of both Beatrice and Hero.
Analysing the evidence
As Beatrice is, cannot be commendable: / But who dare tell her so? If I should speak, / She
would mock me into air; O, she would laugh me / Out of myself, press me to death with wit. /
Therefore let Benedick, like cover'd fire, / Consume away in sighs, waste inwardly: / It were a
better death than die with mocks, / Which is as bad as die with tickling.(Act 3 Scene 1)
Question
"who dare tell her so?" - Hero's question shows that many people are afraid to speak
out against Beatrice. Even though she knows that Beatrice is listening in at this point,
there is truth in what she says.
"She would mock me into air" - Beatrice is known for her quick wit and sharp tongue.
Hero suggests that her ability to mock would make Hero vanish completely if she were
to tell her to her face about Benedick's love.
"like cover'd fire, / Consume away in sighs" - Shakespeare uses a simile to exaggerate
the women's talk of Benedick's love. They suggest that he would be better wasting away
from love than revealing his heart to Beatrice.
Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing
Claudio is an honourable soldier and friend to Benedick and Don Pedro. He falls in love with
Hero at first sight, showing his romantic nature (although it could be argued that this hastiness
reveals an immaturity).
He asks for Hero's hand in marriage but is then tricked by Don John into believing that his wife-
to-be has been unfaithful. His behaviour at the wedding is cruel as he accuses Hero of dishonesty
in front of the congregation.
Later, when he hears Borachio's confession and realises his mistake, he is repentant. He
apologises to Leonato and agrees to marry Hero's cousin without even meeting her. He is
delighted at the second marriage to unveil his new wife and find she is actually his beloved Hero.
How is Claudio like
Evidence Analysis
this?
Whereas Benedick will fall
in love with Beatrice and her
"Is she not a modest sharp wit, Claudio falls in
He admires Hero for her
Conventional young lady?" (Act 1 love with Hero who
modesty and beauty.
Scene 1) demonstrates all the
conventional aspects of the
ideal Elizabethan woman.
How is Claudio like
Evidence Analysis
this?
When Don John suggests Although he has agreed for
that Don Pedro is wooing Don Pedro to woo Hero on
"Farewell, therefore,
Easily Hero for his behalf he still reacts
Hero!" (Act 1 Scene
influenced himself, Claudio is quickly to Don John's
1)
quick to move to claim. This also shows his
jealousy. immaturity.
When he learns from Don "Give not this rotten
His rejection of Hero is
John that Hero has been orange to your
Hurtful made worse because he does
unfaithful, he denounces friend." (Act 4 Scene
it publicly.
her at the altar. 1)
Claudio claims that
When he admits his Leonato's generosity moves
"Your over-kindness
mistake, Claudio is him to tears. He agrees to
Repentant doth wring tears from
grateful for Leonato's marry Antonio’s daughter
me!" (Act 5 Scene 1)
understanding. to make up for his
mistake.
Social and historical context
Shakespeare often used plots and storylines from other writers and re-wrote his own versions. It's
a bit like the practice of turning a novel into a film today.
The story of Hero and Claudio is based on the Italian Matteo Bandello's tale of Sir Timbreo who
falls in love with Fenicia, the daughter of Lionato. In this version of the tale, Timbreo is tricked
into thinking his wife has been unfaithful to him. Where Shakespeare has Hero faint, Bandello's
story sees his leading lady fall into a death-like coma. Her father holds a funeral for her. Later
Timbreo discovers the truth and in a gesture of repentance he marries Fenicia's sister, who, of
course, turns out to be Fenicia herself.
Analysing the evidence
CLAUDIO
BENEDICK
CLAUDIO
Act 1 Scene 1
Question
CLAUDIO
Thou thinkest I am in sport: I pray thee tell me
truly how thou likest her.
BENEDICK
Would you buy her, that you inquire after her?
CLAUDIO
Can the world buy such a jewel?
"I pray thee tell me" - Claudio is well-mannered and polite in the way he speaks. He
has respect for Benedick and his measured talk differs from the wordplay and mocking
tones that characterise Benedick.
"Would you buy her, that you inquire after her?" - Benedick responds with a
question that seems to taunt Claudio. We can assume that Claudio is showing his love
for Hero.
"Can the world buy such a jewel?" - He questions whether there could be another
woman as beautiful as Hero, though of course, this is unrealistic.
Hero in Much Ado About Nothing
Hero and Beatrice are contrasting characters
Hero is the innocent and obedient daughter of Leonato. She contrasts with the more
outspoken and independent Beatrice and presents a conventional image of a suitable and
desirable wife.
Claudio describes her as a 'jewel' when he first meets her and praises her for being
'modest'. He accuses her on their wedding day of being unfaithful, and she faints. The
Friar advises her father to pretend she is dead, to give her a chance of a life.
At the end of the play, when Claudio has seen the error of his accusations, Hero is given
to him as a wife, in disguise as Antonio's daughter.
How is Hero like this? Evidence Analysis
"In mine eye she is the Claudio praises Hero for her
Hero is so beautiful that
sweetest lady that ever I beauty. She is also admired by
Beautiful Claudio falls in love with
looked on." (Act 1 Scene Don Pedro and is often referred
her at first sight.
1) to as 'fair Hero'.
We learn from about Hero from
the things that other characters
"Yes, faith; it is my
Beatrice tells Antonio say. Here Beatrice highlights
cousin's duty to make
that her cousin always how dutiful her cousin can be.
Obedient curtsy and say 'Father, as
does what her father She uses the words "duty",
it please you." (Act 2
asks. "curtsy" and "please" to
Scene 1)
emphasise Hero's obedient
nature.
When Claudio accuses her of
In comparison to
"I talk'd with no man at being with another man, he
Beatrice, Hero doesn't
Quiet that hour, my lord." (Act 4 uses elaborate language.
say much at all in the
Scene 1) However, Hero responds with
play.
simple, quiet truth.
How is Hero like this? Evidence Analysis
Even though Claudio "And when I lived, I was
She reveals herself to Claudio
humiliates her at the your other wife: / And
at the second wedding. Her
Forgiving altar, Hero is prepared when you loved, you were
speech is straightforward and
to give him a second my other husband." (Act 5
lacking in blame or resentment.
chance. Scene 4)
Дон Педро - принц Аррагона и брат Дона Джона. В начале спектакля он возвращается с
войны с Бенедиком и Клаудио. Когда Клаудио признается, что влюблен в Героя, дон
Педро предлагает ухаживать за ней на балу-маскараде. Он остается верным своему слову,
даже несмотря на то, что Клаудио становится подозрительным.
Он участвует в обмане Бенедика с Леонато и Клаудио. В сцене с садом он выглядит
остроумным и беззаботным, играя словами и подставляя Бенедика.
Он поддерживает Клаудио в разоблачение Герой на свадьбе, а затем присоединяется к
своему другу, чтобы загладить вину, помолившись у ее могилы.
Как Дон Педро такой? Свидетельство Анализ
Когда Клаудио
стесняется Дон Педро показывает
«Вот, Клаудио, я ухаживал
приближаться к Геро, свою уверенность, а также
за твоим именем, и
Уверенный Дон Педро свою
честный Герой
вмешивается, чтобы надежность, выиграв
выиграл». (Акт 2, сцена 1)
ухаживать за ней от руку Героя для Клаудио.
имени своего друга.
Он клянется
присоединиться к Клаудио
в опозорении Героя, если
Когда дон Джон «И поскольку я уговаривал они обнаружат, что она
заявляет, что знает, что тебя заполучить ее, я лгала ему. Это можно
Верный Герой неверен, дон присоединюсь к тебе, рассматривать как
Педро клянется в чтобы опозорить ее». (Акт лояльность, а также как
верности Клаудио. 3, сцена 3) заблуждение. Мужчины
готовы подавить Героя, не
спрашивая ее стороны
истории.
Скромный Дон Педро «Волки охотятся; и Он резюмирует события
присоединяется к посмотри, нежный день, / спектакля, используя
Клаудио, чтобы Перед колесами Феба, образы природы и
загладить вину в вокруг / Засыпает сонный мифа. Кажется, это
конце пьесы, и восток серыми проявляет
Как Дон Педро такой? Свидетельство Анализ
снисходительный
публично оплакивает характер, достаточно
пятнами». (Акт 5, сцена 3)
его у могилы Героя. скромный, чтобы дать
другим новый шанс
nothingness
love
appearances and reality
On the surface Much Ado About Nothing is a light-hearted comedy, but there are darker themes
of dishonour, death and deceit running beneath the humour.
Nothing and noting in Much Ado About Nothing
The title of this play refers to one of its main themes. 'Nothing' implies that the concerns of the play are
trivial.
The word 'nothing' in Shakespearean times was pronounced 'noting' and so the title itself is
a pun. There are many instances of 'noting' throughout the play: Claudio notes Hero's beauty,
both Benedick and Beatrice note the words of their friends that lead them to love, Claudio and
Don Pedro note Don John's trick to make them believe Hero is unfaithful. 'Noting' implies that
the play deals with characters paying attention to each other and listening to what each other has
to say.
'Nothing' was also a euphemism in Elizabethan times, referring to the female genitalia. The
theme also refers to sexual desire and the quest for love.
How is 'noting'/'nothing' shown in the play?
In Much Ado About Nothing, William Shakespeare shows the theme of nothing and noting
through:
the title
Claudio's noting of Hero
Beatrice and Benedick's eavesdropping
How does Shakespeare show
Evidence Analysis
this?
The theme of the play is clear
The play opens with light- This comedic opening seems
from the title, which can imply
The title hearted banter between to support the trivial nature
that the events of the play are
Beatrice and Benedick. of what will follow.
ultimately trivial.
The theme of 'noting' is
Claudio falls instantly in love "Benedick, didst thou note
Claudio's made clear from the start
with Hero and asks Benedick the daughter of Signior
noting of Hero when Claudio seeks
whether he too has noted her. Leonato?" (Act 1 Scene 1)
approval from his friend.
Don Pedro plays on the
word 'note' before Balthasar
"Why, these are very
Beatrice and When Benedick is deceived and sings in the orchard. He
crotchets that he speaks; /
Benedick's Beatrice is tricked, both 'note' knows that Benedick is
Note, notes, forsooth, and
eavesdropping the words of their friends. hiding and will 'note'
nothing." (Act 2 Scene 3)
everything that Don Pedro
and the others have to say.
Analysing the evidence
Question
How does Shakespeare use the theme of nothing and noting in Much Ado About Nothing?
answer
To create comedy, highlighting the trivial nature of the action.
To show how foolish men can be in their pursuit of love.
To explore how 'noting' can cause problems.
Love is a main idea in this play and is shown through the partnerships between Claudio and
Hero, Benedick and Beatrice and also through the paternal love that Leonato shows for his
daughter and niece.
Claudio's love for Hero is often regarded as superficial. He seems to fall in love with her because
she fits the model of an ideal woman: modest, beautiful and obedient. Beatrice and Benedick, on
the other hand, are each in denial of their love and need to be tricked by their friends into
realising their true feelings. Ultimately their love seems more real and true.
In the end, both pairs are married and love is triumphant.
How is the theme of love shown in the play?
In Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare shows the theme of love through:
Shakespeare uses this play to show how appearance and reality are not always the same thing.
At the beginning we see the apparent enemies, Benedick and Beatrice, engaging in witty banter that
verges sometimes on the cruel. However, they are tricked into acknowledging their real feelings of love
for one another.
Other examples of this theme can be seen in the masked ball, where mistaken identity is the
cause of confusion and upset for both Claudio and Benedick. In the gulling scene, Benedick
appears to hear his friends talk about Beatrice's love for him, but in reality the audience knows
they are playing a trick.
In darker examples of the theme, Don John fools Claudio into believing his wife-to-be is
untrustworthy by apparently showing him a scene of unfaithfulness. When Hero is accused,
Leonato makes it appear that his daughter is dead.
How is the theme of appearances and reality shown in the play?
In Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare examines how appearances can sometimes be
deceptive. Some of the key aspects are:
What elements of appearance and reality does Shakespeare highlight in this Much Ado
About Nothing?
Shakespeare shows that appearances can be deceiving and that the reality can
be something quite different.
He shows that the reality of love depends on more than appearances. Benedick
and Beatrice's connection, with their equal wit, seems more reliable than that of
Claudio and Hero which relies on looks.
The truth seems to be hidden at times, as we see in the cruel trick that Don John
and Borachio set up.
Use of form in Much Ado About Nothing
Much Ado About Nothing is a play and so is intended for performance. The script makes more
sense when read aloud and coupled with stage directions.
It is largely written in blank verse. Most lines use iambic pentameter (ten syllables) which are
organised in five pairs. The first syllable is weak, the second stronger. So if we look at a typical
line, we can show the weak or unstressed syllable with an 'x' above it, and the stressed syllable
with an '/' above it.
In this example Claudio is saying goodbye to Hero:
This follows the patterns of natural speech and is used by Shakespeare to draw attention to
particular words and ideas.
When describing form in Much Ado About Nothing, you can refer to:
The play is set out in five acts. This is a typical structure that follows a pattern of building to a
climax or important turning point – in this case, the rejection of Hero at the altar. The final act
sees the truth come out, everyone reconciled and ends with happy marriages, music and dancing.
When writing about structure, think about:
The structure builds tension and keeps the audience engaged – we want to find out how
everything will turn out.
It has parallel plots that mirror each other.
How does it reflect the themes of the text?
Everything is reconciled in the end, leaving the audience satisfied that all is again well in the
world.
Use of language in Much Ado About Nothing
Shakespeare uses language to create both comedy and tragedy in this play and to present
characters and scenes that are entertaining. The witty banter between Beatrice and Benedick is
lively and amusing. This contrasts with the dark, brooding language of Don John and the caring,
wise words of Don Pedro.
Shakespeare uses original language and wordplay to keep the audience engaged.
When analysing the language Shakespeare has used, aim to:
examine words and phrases
think about the sorts of words he chooses (positive, negative, descriptive)
explore layers of meaning (what else could a phrase refer to or suggest?)
notice any literary techniques (simile, metaphor, alliteration)
explain the effects of the language used – how does it make you feel?
Evidence and explanation of the language used
Here are some examples of language choices which Shakespeare makes.
Wordplay
How and why does Shakespeare use wordplay?
Shakespeare's characters often play on the different meanings of words. Dogberry, for example,
uses his words incorrectly. This shows how words are open to interpretation and that nothing is
as it seems. It also provides comic relief for the audience.
Simile
How and why does Shakespeare use similes?
Beatrice says that Benedick 'will hang upon [Claudio] like a disease'. The simile suggests that
Benedick will be a bad influence on Claudio. From this, we learn that Beatrice dislikes Benedick
from the start.
Metaphor
How and why does Shakespeare use metaphors?
Claudio rejects Hero at the altar by calling her a 'rotten orange'. The phrase creates an image of
something that should be fresh and delightful as ruined. The effect on the audience is that they
feel sympathy for Hero, who they know to be far from 'rotten'.
Personification
How and why does Shakespeare use personification?
In Act 1 Scene 1, Leonato says that when Don Pedro departs, 'sorrow abides and happiness takes
his leave'. The personification of 'sorrow' and 'happiness' make them seem like characters that
accompany Don Pedro. Leonato's love for his friend is therefore emphasised by the language he
uses.
Repetition
How does Shakespeare use repetition?
After the failed wedding in Act 5 Scene 2, Beatrice says 'Foul words is but foul wind, and foul
wind is but / foul breath, and foul breath is noisome.' The repetition of the word 'foul' emphasises
Beatrice's upset. Whereas her language has been eloquent and varied up to this point in the play,
when Beatrice is distressed she repeats herself.
How to analyse language in Much Ado About Nothing
Here is an example of Shakespeare's word play. It is from Act 1 Scene 1, when Beatrice and
Benedick first meet.
BEATRICE
I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior
Benedick: nobody marks you.
BENEDICK
What, my dear Lady Disdain! are you yet living?
BEATRICE
Is it possible disdain should die while she hath
such meet food to feed it as Signior Benedick?
Courtesy itself must convert to disdain, if you come
in her presence.
BENEDICK
Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certain I
am loved of all ladies, only you excepted: and I
would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard
heart; for, truly, I love none.
Act 1 Scene 1
Analyse this quotation and explore how the language creates a sense of place:
"nobody marks you" - creates a sense of her disrespect for him. The word 'mark' could
also refer to his role as a soldier, playing on the idea of being a 'marksman'.
"my dear Lady Disdain" - the contrast between 'my dear', a loving term, and 'Lady
Disdain' highlights Benedick's conflicting feelings for Beatrice.
"such meet food to feed it" - the related words 'food' and 'feed' suggest that their
relationship is essential.
"Then is courtesy a turncoat" - this personification of 'courtesy' suggests betrayal,
which hints at later themes in the play.
"heart that I had not a hard heart" - alliteration implies that his heart is not as hard as
Benedick insists. The 'h' is a soft sound.