Shakespeare – Much Ado About Nothing

Don Pedro -Prince of Aragon-made a plan to help Claudio win over Hero-judging especially off of the movie, everyone seems to respect him well-when everyone heard that Don Pedro had come they got so excited-a witness to Don John’s plan against Hero
Leonato -father of Hero-Beatrice’s Uncle-the governor of Messina-the play is based around his home
Claudio -falls in love with Hero-from the city of Florence-tricked into thinking Hero cheated, and then that she was dead
Don John -doesn’t like Claudio-plans to separate Claudio and Hero
Borachio -overhears Don Pedro and Claudio’s plan-part of Don John’s plan against Hero-had a relationship with Margaret (Hero’s servant)-he used the relationship in favor of Don John’s plan
Friar Francis -supposed to marry Hero and Claudio-suggests the idea to hide Hero after being accused and pretend she is dead
Verges -the deputy constable-always with Dogberry
Beatrice -does not get along most of the time with Benedick-Leonato’s niece-She is close friends with her cousin Hero-She overhears Hero saying that Benedick is in love with her-eventually they fall back into love-tells Benedick to prove his love by killing Claudio-does not want to confess her love for Benedick
Ursula -a maid to Hero-takes part in tricking Beatrice about Benedick’s love
The masque -they wore them at the party
Padua
Signior Mountanto -Beatrice calls Benedick by this name-mocks him
Antonio -Leonato’s brother-Lives at Leonato’s home-he tells Leonato about Claudio and Don Pedro’s plan
Benedick -does not get along with Beatrice most of the time-recently returned from fighting the wars-referred to as “signor”-falls in love again with Beatrice
Conrade -a servant-also follows along with Don John’s plan
Balthasar -sang
Dogberry -constable of Messina-in charge of the night watch-sarcastic-always seen with Verges
Hero -daughter of Leonato, cousin of Beatrice-falls in love with Claudio, eventually marries him-she is quiet, innocent, and obedient-She is the victim of Don John’s plot to separate her and Claudio
Margaret -a maid to Hero-misled into the plot by Don John on Claudio
Messina -Where the play takes place-In Italy-Leonato is the governor of Messina
Aragon -Don Pedro is the prince here
Florence -Claudio is from here
blank verse -does not rhyme-uses iambic pentameter
Iambic Pentameter -does not rhyme-consists of a line that is ten syllables long-accented on every second beat
tragedy
comedy -Much Ado About Nothing is considered a comedy
history
tragic-comedy -Much Ado About Nothing is this – some tragedy but is comedy
romance -Much Ado About Nothing is all about love-Romance between Claudio and Hero-Romance between Beatrice and Benedick
genre -French word-Classical genres: epic, tragedy, comedy, lyric, and pastoral-Modern genre: fiction, non-fiction, novel, short story, poetry, drama, essay, television show, film
“He hath every month a new sworn brother” Beatrice
“Are you come to meet your trouble? The fashion of the world is to avoid cost, and you encounter it.” Don Pedro
“Is it possible Disdain should die while she hath such meet food to feed on?” Beatrice
“You should hear reason.” Conrade
“If I can cross him any way I bless myself every way.” Don John
“When I like your favor, for God defend the lute should be like the case.” Hero
“Indeed, my lord, he lent it me awhile, and I gave him use for it, a double heart for his single one.” Beatrice
“Silence is the perfectest herald of joy. I were but little happy if I could say how much.” Claudio
Good Lord, for alliance! Thus goes every one to the world but I, and I am sunburnt.” Beatrice-talking to Benedick
“Tomorrow, my lord. Time goes on crutches till Love have all his rites.” Claudio
“Sigh no more, ladies, sign no more, men were deceivers ever, one foot in sea, and one on shore, to one thing constant ever.” Benedick-talking to himself
“Bait the hook well! This fish will bite.” Claudio
“For the man, as you know all, hath a contemptible spirit.” Don Pedro
“Why it must be requited.” Benedick
“Doth not the appetite alter?” Benedick
“By this day she’s a fair lady. I do spy some marks of love in her.” Benedick
“Disdain and Scorn ride sparkling in her eyes, Misprizing what they look on.” Hero
“Lady, as you are mine, I am yours. I give myself away for you and dote upon the exchange.” Claudio
“For Man is a giddy thing, and this is my conclusion.” Benedick
“A miracle! Here’s our own hands against our hearts! Come, I will have thee; but by this light, I take thee for pity.” Benedick
“Troth, no; no more than reason.” Benedick
“Now unto thy bones good night. Yearly will I do this rite.” Claudio
“So are the Prince and Claudio who accused her.” Leonato
“Enough, I am engaged. I will challenge him.” Benedick
“Come lady, die to live. This wedding day perhaps is but prolonged. Have patience and endure.” Friar
“Truly, by your office you may; but I think they that touch pitch will be defiled. The most peaceable way for you, if you do take a thief, is to let him show himself what he is, and steal out of your company.” Dogberry