English - Much Ado About Nothing PDF

ENGLISH- MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING CHARACTERS ➔ LEONATO: Hero’s father, Beatrice’s uncle. Governor of Messina. Is kind of emotionally immature. ➔ BEATRICE: Very stubborn, cold and passionate. She is the cousin of hero, and niece of Leonato and she has a love/hate relationship with Benedic...

ENGLISH- MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING CHARACTERS ➔ LEONATO: Hero’s father, Beatrice’s uncle. Governor of Messina. Is kind of emotionally immature. ➔ BEATRICE: Very stubborn, cold and passionate. She is the cousin of hero, and niece of Leonato and she has a love/hate relationship with Benedick. ➔ HERO: A quiet, shy individual. She is the cousin of Beatrice and Daughter of Leonato. She is the love interest of Claudio. ➔ DON PEDRO: The prince, Don John's half-brother. Another one of the soldiers is seen as a figure of authority. ➔ CLAUDIO: One of the soldiers, Heros love interest. Quite gullible and believes whatever he is told. ➔ BENEDICK: One of the soldiers, comedic relief, a player who is not faithful/ committed to women. He has a love/hate relationship with Beatrice. ➔ DON JOHN: Don Pedro’s half-brother. The antagonist/ main villain. He starts the plot to ruin Claudio and Hero’s wedding. ➔ BALTHASAR: One of Leonato’s allies. Has relations with Margaret. ➔ ANTONIO: Leonatos brother. In a relationship with Ursula. ➔ CONRAD: One of Don John’s allies, he helps him plot to mess up Claudio and Hero’s wedding. ➔ BORACHIO: One of Don John’s allies, helps directly with the plot to mess up Claudio and Hero’s wedding. He is in a relationship with Margaret. ➔ MARGARET: She is one of Hero’s maids/ helpers. She is in a relationship with Borachio. ➔ URSULA: One of Hero’s maids/ helpers. Is in a relationship with Balthasar. ➔ DOGBERRY: One of the watchmen/ detectives. He is not very smart and gets his words mixed up a lot. ➔ VERGES: One of the watchmen/ detectives. Second in command to Dogberry. Another comedic relief character who mixes up his words a lot. ➔ SEACOLE: One of the watchmen, not as important as Dogberry or Verges. ➔ FRIAR FRANCIS: The priest, used to marry Hero and Claudio. He helps Leonato come up with the plan to fake Hero’s death. ➔ THE SEXTON: Their job is to look after the church. He is a stenographer in the investigation of Conrad and Borachio. TEST INFO CHARACTERS THAT CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE BOOK: ❖ Benedick In the beginning, Benedick is a bachelor and opposes marriage/ love strongly. Hearing that ‘Beatrice is in love with him’ causes him to have a change of heart and rethink love Benedick is kind of a joker and his personality does a full 180 by the end of the book, he matures a lot. ❖ Beatrice In the beginning, Beatrice is very against marriage, she does not believe that there is anyone suitable for her. Her opinion starts to change when Hero and Claudio get engaged Hearing that ‘Benedick is in love with her’ fully changes her opinion, and she thinks that Benedick might be the one for her She hears people talking about how she is cold and scornful and that she would turn down Benedick immediately, so she wants to prove the people wrong and love Benedick back ❖ Claudio In the beginning, Claudio is madly in love with Hero, he proclaims it to anyone who will listen. Although he may not be as in love with her as he seems because his opinion of her changes immediately when he hears one bad thing about her His opinion changes once again after she dies and he knows that what he believes about her is a lie. COMIC AND TRAGIC ELEMENTS IN THE PLAY ❖ Comic elements: The plot to get Beatrice and Benedick together They ‘overhear’ other people talk about their love for each other Dogberry & Verges’s character They act as a sort of comedic relief in serious scenes. They speak nonsense and believe that they are smart Beatrice and Benedick arguing It's always lighthearted and comedic ❖ Tragic elements: Hero’s death Claudio believes that he has killed her Hero’s public shaming  It is tragic because Hero didn’t even do anything wrong, she is being falsely accused and berated by her father and Claudio. Leonato wants Hero to die. He believes that it is better for his daughter to be dead with a good reputation than alive with a bad reputation. Don John’s character He is a melancholic, sneaky character with no redeeming qualities, every time he appears in a scene he is there to cause trouble. Beatrice orders Benedick to kill Claudio. She orders him to kill him to prove his love for her. Knowing that Benedick and Claudio are really close friends 1.1 ❖ SUMMARY: Open with Leonato saying that the soldiers are returning from their battle to Messina in Sicily (their battle was victorious). Claudio develops an attraction towards Leonato's daughter; Hero. Claudio is from Florence Beatrice and Benedick have a tension between them (sort of love-hate relationship) Don John and Don Pedro had been fighting but were reconciled at this point. Benedick does not believe in marriage or exclusivity ❖ QUOTE: 122-123: “Benedick- But it is certain I am loved by all ladies, only you except.” Character: Benedick is a player. He gets lots of girls, and he may not always treat them the kindest. Translation: All ladies love me except for you Context: Benedick and Beatrice are arguing when he says this. It is just after he has returned from the battle with everyone else. ❖ QUOTE: 290-300: “Claudio- O my lord. When you went onward on this ended action, I looked upon her with a soldier's eye that liked but had a rougher task in hand than to drive, liking to the name of love. But now I am returned and that war thoughts have left their places vacant, in their rooms come thronging soft and delicate desires. All prompting me how fair young Hero is, saying I liked her ere I went to wars.” Plot: Claudio confesses that he is in love with Hero. Character: Claudio has matured since the battle Translation: Oh my lord, when we left to fight the war that's now over, I looked at Hero with a soldier's eyes. And I liked her, but my mind was too  filled with the rough tasks ahead to change liking into loving. But now that I've returned and my thoughts of war are gone, they've been replaced with soft and delicate desires that all lead me to one thing: how beautiful young Hero is, and how I must have liked her even before I went off to war. Context: Claudio is asking Don Pedro for help when he confesses to being in love with Hero. 1.2 ❖ SUMMARY: Antonio tells Leonato that he overheard Claudio confessing his love for Hero and his intent to marry her. Leonoto tells Antonio to tell Hero about Claudio’s confession so that she can be prepared for his proposal. 1.3 ❖ SUMMARY: Don John and Conrad are talking, and they discuss Don John's personality (selfishness). Borrachio tells Don John that while he was perfuming Leonato's house, Claudio and the prince entered. He hid behind a tapestry and that is when he heard Claudio’s confession and his wish to marry Hero. He also tells him about Don Pedro's plan to act as Claudio to woo Hero. Don John, Borrachio and Conrad all plan to ruin Don Pedro and Claudio's plan. ❖ QUOTE: 32-34: “Don John- If I had my mouth, I would bite; if I had my liberty, I would do my liking. In the meantime let me be that I am, and seek not to alter me” Character: Don John is a selfish man and he refuses to see reason Translation: If I had my mouth free, I would bite. If I had my liberty, I would do as I please. In the meantime, let me be who I am, and don't try to change me. Context: Conrad and Don John are talking. Conrad is inquiring as to why he is so sad. Don John says his sadness is limitless which prompts Conrad to ask him to see reason. After that, Don John delivers this monologue. 2.1 ❖ SUMMARY: At a masquerade ball. There is a flirtatious exchange between, hero & don Pedro, Margaret & Balthasar, Ursula & Antonio and Benedick and Beatrice talk, in which Beatrice insults Benedick to his face, not knowing that he is Benedick. ❖ QUOTE: 303-305: “Beatrice- Good Lord, for alliance! Thus goes everyone to the world but I, and I am sunburnt. I may sit in a corner and cry ‘Heigh-Ho for a husband!’” Character: This shows that Beatrice might want to get married after all.  Translation: Thank the good Lord for alliances! And so everyone goes off into the world of marriage except for me. I stay in, sunburned and unattractive. I ought to sit in a corner and cry, "Heigh-ho for a husband!" Context: Hero and Claudio have just gotten together and now plan to get married, Beatrice seems envious of their love ❖ QUOTE: 366-369: “Don Pedro: If we can do this, Cupid is no longer an archer; his glory shall be ours, for we are the only love gods. Go in with me, and I will tell you my drift.” Plot: Hero, Leonoto, Claudio & Don Pedro are plotting to get Beatrice and Benedick together. Translation: If we can do this, then we'll steal all of Cupid's glory. He won't even be able to call himself an archer anymore, we will be the only gods of love! Now come inside with me, and I'll tell you my plan. Context: Leonato, Claudio, Don Pedro and Hero are all plotting to get Benedick and Beatrice together after talking about getting Beatrice a husband following her outburst about wanting one. 2.2 ❖ SUMMARY: Borrachio and Don John are trying to screw up Claudio's marriage. They form a plan. Don John will tell Claudio that Hero is having sexual relations with Borrachio. Margaret will meet with Borrachio as they are in a relationship. Don John will then show Claudio and Don Pedro that Margaret and Borrachio are together, but he will tell Claudio that Margaret is Hero. If this plan is successful, Don John will pay Borrachio a thousand ducats (Equivalent to 150k). 2.3 ❖ SUMMARY: In Leonato's garden. Benedick starts a soliloquy, he begins complaining about Claudio being turned into a lover-boy he wonders when he had turned from a tough soldier to a man in love. He wonders if he could also end up like that. He has never been in love so he doesn't believe that it is possible. He has incredibly unrealistic expectations. ❖ QUOTE: 21-25: “Benedick- May I be so converted and see with these eyes? I cannot tell; I think not. I will not be sworn but Love may transform me to an oyster, but I’ll take my oath on it, till he have made an oyster of me, he shall never make me such a fool.” Character: Benedick wonders whether can be in love Modern translation: Could I be transformed like this, and see everything through a lover's eyes? I can't be sure, but I don't think so. I can't promise that love won't change me. But until I have fallen in love, I'll never act like such a fool.  Context: In Benedick's soliloquy. 3.1 ❖ SUMMARY: Margaret, Hero and Ursula make a plan to trick Beatrice into thinking Benedick is in love with her. They plan to do this by having Margaret walk with Beatrice and have her overhear them talking about Benedick's love for her. It works and Beatrice says that she will try to tame her scornful heart for his sake. 3.2 ❖ SUMMARY: Claudio, Don Pedro and Leonato make fun of Benedick for being in love. After Leonato and Benedick leave the room Don John enters. Don John tells Don Pedro and Claudio that Hero is being unfaithful to him. He says that he will bring them tonight to show proof that Hero is meeting up with another man. Claudio says that if he sees anything that convinces him not to marry Hero he will shame her rather than marry her the next day. 3.3 ❖ SUMMARY: Dogberry, Verges and the watchmen all talk together. After the watchmen leave, Borachio and Conrad enter. Borachio confesses to Conrad about what he and Don John did to Claudio and Hero. The watchmen arrest Borachio and Conrad. 3.4 ❖ SUMMARY: Hero is getting ready for her wedding alongside Margaret and Beatrice. All of whom tease her about Claudio. Margaret also makes fun of Beatrice for loving Benedick. 3.5 ❖ SUMMARY: Dogberry and Verges inform Lenonato of the fact that they have arrested Conrad and Borachio- though they don't say their names. They want Leonato to examine/ question them but he says that he is very busy and they should simply do it themselves. 4.1 ❖ SUMMARY: Everyone is gathered for Claudio and Hero’s wedding. Claudio “exposes” Hero for being unfaithful to him. Hero faints, and Claudio, Don John  and Don Pedro exit. Leonato believes what Claudio has told him and is ashamed of his daughter. Beatrice does not believe this though. Friar, the priest suggests to Leonato that they pretend that Hero has died, to repair her reputation from one of scandal to one of grief. Then, she may be able to live her life peacefully as a nun or something of the sort. Friar and Leonato, along with Hero, exit to begin their plan. Beatrice and Benedick declare their love to each other after everyone else has left. Beatrice asks Benedick to kill Claudio for her. Benedick accepts to prove his love for Beatrice. ❖ QUOTE: 31-34 “Claudio- There, Leonato, take her back again. Give not this rotten orange to your friend. She’s but the sign and semblance of her honor. Behold how like a maid she blushes here! Oh, what authority and show of truth Can cunning sin cover itself withal! Comes not that blood as modest evidence To witness simple virtue? Would you not swear, All you that see her, that she were a maid By these exterior shows? But she is none. She knows the heat of a luxurious bed. Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty.” Plot: Claudio ‘exposes’ Hero for being unfaithful and refuses to marry her. Modern translation: There, Leonato. Take your daughter back again. Don't give this rotten orange to your friend. She has only the outward appearance of honour. See how she blushes like a virgin now! Oh, how masterfully sin can disguise itself! Doesn't her blush seem like natural evidence of simple virtue? Wouldn't you swear, all of you who see her now, that she's a virgin, based on her exterior? But she is no virgin. She has known the heat of a lustful bed. Her blush is from guilt, not modesty. Context: They are at the altar and Claudio refuses to marry Hero ❖ QUOTE: 131-132: “Leonato- Do not live, Hero, do not ope thine eyes,” Character: Leonato believes that what Hero has supposedly done is so horrible that she would simply be better off dead Modern translation: Do not live, Hero. Do not open your eyes. Context: Hero has just fainted after everyone else was arguing about whether the accusations against her were true or not ❖ QUOTE: 303: “Beatrice- Kill Claudio” Plot: Beatrice is asking Benedick to kill Claudio to prove his love to her. Modern Translation: N/A Context: Beatrice and Benedick have just confessed their love to each other and Beatrice insists that if Benedick truly loves her he will kill Claudio for her. 4.2 ❖ SUMMARY: Dogberry, Verges and the Sexton all interview Conrad and Borachio. They recount what Borachio did to Hero and Claudio’s wedding, as they  overheard him bragging to Conrad. Don John has fled secretly to Messina. They arrest Conrad as well as Borachio. 5.1 ❖ SUMMARY: Leonato and Antonio are talking, and Leanato is complaining about Hero disgracing him. Antonio is criticizing him for acting this way. Don Pedro and Claudio enter and Leonato gets mad at them and tells them that Hero is dead. Leonato challenges Claudio to a duel. Claudio refuses which causes Antonio to join Leonato in antagonizing him. Leonato and Antonio exit, and Benedick enters. Benedick challenges Claudio to a duel, which he accepts. Claudio and Don Pedro start to joke around with Benedick about Beatrice as they believe that he is not seriously challenging them to a duel. They then realize that Benedick is serious and he leaves. They realize that Beatrice must have made Benedick challenge Claudio to a duel to kill him. Dogberry, Verges, Borachio, Conrad and the watchmen all enter. Don Pedro is confused as to why Borachio and Conrad are in handcuffs. Borachio tells Don Pedro what he has done. Leonato, Antonio and the sexton enter. Leonato confronts Borachio, Claudio and Don Pedro about inadvertently killing his daughter with their words. He asks Claudio to pay Hero tribute by making her an epitaph and song to put on her tomb. Leonato tells Claudio that he shall marry his brother’s daughter- who is the spitting image of Hero (because she is Hero). Leonato takes the prisoners off of Dogberry and Verges’s hands and they exit. ❖ QUOTE: 4-6 “Leonato- I pray thee, cease thy counsel, Which falls into mine ears as profitless as water in a sieve.” Context: Antonio is trying to comfort Leonato because of Heros’ death Simile: which falls into mine ears as profitless as water in a sieve. (your advice falls on deaf ears) Character: Leonato is emotionally immature ❖ QUOTE: 157-158 “Benedick- You have killed a sweet lady, and her death shall fall heavy on you. Let me hear from you.” Context: Benedick is challenging Claudio to a duel, following Beatrice’s instructions to kill him Character: Benedick is no longer a playboy, he’s a loverboy willing to do anything for Beatrice Plot: There is an expected duel between Claudio and Benedick ❖ QUOTE: 226-229 “Don Pedro- Who have you offended, masters, that you are thus bound to your answer? This learned constable is too cunning to be understood. What’s your offense?” Context: Don Pedro is speaking to Borachio after Dogberry and Verges have brought him and Claudio in handcuffs  Verbal Irony: Dogberry is not a “learned constable” nor “cunning” Character: Dogberry, is not very smart/ perceptive Character: Don Pedro, he insults Dogberry a lot ❖ QUOTE: 232-233 “Borachio- What your wisdoms could not discover, these shallow fools have brought to light,” Context: Borachio is saying that Don Pedro and Claudio were not smart enough to discover what Dogberry and Verges brought to life Theme: Appearances can be deceiving, the “Smarter” people were not able to figure out the scheme but the “Dumb” people had more wisdom in this scenario and did figure it out 5.2 ❖ SUMMARY: Benedick and Beatrice talk. Beatrice wants to know what happened between him and Claudio. Benedick tells her that he has challenged Claudio to a duel and he is waiting for him to accept. If he does not he will proclaim him a coward. Benedick and Beatrice flirt. Benedick knows that Hero is not dead, he asks Beatrice about her and she says that she is sick. Ursula enters and informs them both that they have to go to Leonatos as it has finally come to light that Hero has been falsely accused. She exits. Beatrice and Benedick go together to Leonato’s house. ❖ QUOTE: 63 “Benedick- Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably.” Context: Benedick and Beatrice are talking right before the wedding at the end Character: This shows that Benedick is aware that he and Beatrice are meant to be together, very similar people Theme: Wisdom? Maybe 5.3 ❖ SUMMARY: Don Pedro, Claudio and three or four Lords enter. Claudio reads his epitaph for Hero aloud and then places it on her grave. He then proceeds to sing her a song. Don Pedro and Claudio leave to put on better clothes before going over to Leonato’s house. 5.4 ❖ SUMMARY: Leonato, Antonio, Benedick, Beatrice, Margaret, Ursula, Friar Francis, and Hero enter. Leonato says that the only people at fault for what tragically happened to Hero are Conrad, Borachio and Don John. He believes that Claudio, Don Pedro and Margaret are innocent as they had no part in the scheme. Leonato tells Hero and Beatrice to go put veils on. Benedick asks for Leonato’s blessing for him to marry Beatrice. Leonato gives him his blessing. Claudio and Don Pedro arrive. Antonio, Hero, Beatrice, Margaret and Ursula enter. Claudio is being given Hero, he asks her to unveil. Claudio is taken aback because it is indeed Hero. They decide to marry. Benedick asks Beatrice to unveil. Beatrice and Benedick swear that they do not love each other, but the letters they have written to each other prove them wrong. They decide to get married, and they all dance. A messenger enters and informs the guests that Don John has been arrested.