Much Ado About Nothing, Act 1

League a unit distance equal to 3.0 statue miles
Victuals food supplies, provisions
Betwixt in the middle, between
Squarer swashbuckler, one who delights in fighting
Pestilence a deadly or virulent epidemic disease
Turncoat person who changes to an opposing idea or reverses principles
Pernicious causing harm or ruin
Flouting showing contempt for
Obstinate stubbornly adhering to one’s purpose or opinion
Liege feudal lord entitled to allegiance and service
Pleached shaded or bordered with interlaced branches or vines
Accordant agreeable, compatible
Peradventure by chance, with doubt or uncertainty
Mortifying humiliating or shameful, injures one’s pride
Canker fungal disease in plants and animals
Disdained treated with hate; despised
Enfranchised freed as from bondage
Betroths promises to give in marriage
Perfumer one who makes or sells perfume
Arras a wall hanging (i.e tapestry)
The messenger tells Leonato someone will be arriving to Messina. Who is coming? Don Pedro of Aragon
Beatrice questions the messenger about who? Signior Benedick
According to Leonato, who is fighting a “merry war.” Beatrice and Benedick
Describe Beatrice’s greeting to Benedick upon his arrival. She immediately begins to insult him
How long does Don Pedro and his company plan on staying in Messina? One month
Who is Don John? He is Don Pedro’s scheming brother who was recently taken back.
Who catches Claudio’s eye? Hero
What does Benedick swear will never happen to him? He will get married.
Where has Claudio been before coming to Messina? He was at war
What does Don Pedro intend to do for Claudio? He intends to woo Hero for Claudio
Who is Antonio? Leonato’s brother
What did Antonio claim to hear from one of his servants? Don Pedro intends to woo Hero
What is Leonato’s reaction to hearing the news that Don Pedro will woo Hero? He is delighted/surprised.
What are Don John’s feelings toward Don Pedro? He resents Don Pedro.
Who is Borachio? Don John’s companion.
What news does Borachio bring to Don John? Don Pedro plans to woo Hero for Claudio
What does Don John do regarding Claudio and Hero? He plans to ruin the relationship between Claudio and Don Pedro by foiling plans surrounding Hero
At the beginning of Act 1, Don Pedro and his men return from what? A war with Don John
In the war, Claudio has served Don Pedro well despite what? His youth
What does Beatrice refer to Benedick as? Signior Mountanto, a “stuffed” man or scarecrow, and a person who changes best friends frequently
The audience realizes what from Beatrice’s remarks? She enjoys poking fun at Benedick
Beatrice claims that Benedick is as changeable as what? The weather
“Hot January” is an example of what? Oxymoron
An example of Don Pedro’s magnanimity is what? His forgiveness of Don John
When Beatrice taunts Benedick what does he do? Taunt her back
What do Beatrice and Benedick both insist? They never want to marry
What does Benedick say about Hero? She is too short, too dark, and uninteresting
If Benedick is attracted to a woman the opposite of Hero, who must he be attracted to? Beatrice
What does Don Pedro insist he will live to see? Benedick in love
Cuckold A husband whose wife commits adultery
There is a kind of merry war betwixt Signior Benedick and her. Leonato is speaking to the Messenger, he is talking about Beatrice and Benedicks little “battle” between one another
God help the noble Claudio! if he have caught the Benedick, it will cost him a thousand pound ere a’ be cured. Beatrice is saying this to the Messenger saying how Claudio is burdened because Benedick is always with him.
What, my dear Lady Disdain! are you still living? Benedict says this to Beatrice upon first speaking with her comparing her to Lady Disdain (a typical Shakespearean spinster who falls in love by the end of the play)/
You always end with a jade’s trick: I know you of old. Beatrice is saying this to Benedick after they have an argument saying how he always leaves before the job is done.
[S]he’s too low for a high praise, too brown for a fair praise, and too little for a great praise. Benedick says this to Claudio after Claudio asks what he (Benedick) thinks of Hero, stating that she’s just okayish.
I shall see thee, ere I die, look pale with love. Don Pedro says this to Benedick saying that he will make sure the Benedick does not die a bachelor (even though that is what Benedick wanted)
With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord; not with love. Benedick says this to Don Pedro, saying that he would rather die of sickness than love, saying again that he would rather die a bachelor.
I will assume thy part in some disguise,/ And tell fair Hero I am Claudio. Don Pedro says this to Claudio saying that he will speak highly of Claudio to Hero so that Hero will fall for him (Claudio)
I’d rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his garden. Don John says this to Conrade saying that he (Don John) will reduce himself to get into society’s graces; he would rather show his true, villainous character than hide in his brother’s (Don Pedro, the prince) shadow.
Don Pedro is coming to Messina What news does the messenger bring Leonato?
Beyond the promise of his age What praise does the messenger offer young Claudio?
Benedick Who is Beatrice referring to when she inquires “Signior Mountanto”?
a month How long will Don Pedro and his party stay in Messina?
Too low for a high praise, I do not like her How does Benedick respond when Claudio asks his opinion of Hero?
He does not trust himself to keep it How does Claudio feel now about his oath to remain a bachelor?
The lady is very well worthy How does Don Pedro regard Hero?
his mother For what does Benedick offer women thanks?
married and pale with love Don Pedro prophecies that before he dies he shall see Benedick in what position?
He will disguise himself and say he is Claudio and woo her for him Describe Don Pedro’s plan to win Hero to Claudio
Don Pedro loves Hero What misunderstood message does Antonio relay to his brother?
Hath the fellow any wit How does Leonato reply? What action does he think they should take?
He hates his brother, he’s sad and not fake, he is a villain What do we learn about Don John from his conversation with Conrade?
Borachio Who brings Don John news about Claudio and Hero?
Try to stop it What will Don John do now that he has heard this news?
He’s Don Pedro’s friend Why does Don John dislike Claudio?
July 11, 2019