Introduction to Much Ado

Much Ado About Nothing

William Shakespeare

Introduction

Much Ado About Nothing one of Shakespeare's comedy plays, written in the later years of the 16th century during the middle of Shakespeare's career. It is centered around the farcical business of courtship and love and shows some truths about society to reveal comedy for example Beatrice, the heroine, is portrayed very differently from the ideal women of the time in order to show how incorrect the stereotype is. The play is also made to appeal on different levels with bawdy and simple jokes mixed in with witty and well thought out jokes and also makes fun of itself by showing that it is not real and is just a play. This means that no matter which level the audience sees and even if they are unsure or do not understand certain parts there is still humor to be found as well as comedic and dramatic techniques that are still around today.

The Basics

Setting- The play is set in Italy, which at the time was considered very exotic and popular but also meant that Shakespeare could take away the normal rules of society to cause chaos and ridiculous situations to occur in the plot. 

Plot- The story starts with Leonarto greeting visitors to his house, these turn out to be Don Pedro, a Prince, his soldiers, Benedick and Claudio and his illegitimate brother (the main antagonist of the play). Claudio instantly falls in love with the quiet daughter of Leonarto and asks Don Pedro for help. Despite Benedick's moaning about marriage Don Pedro forms a plan to woo Hero on Claudio's behalf which instantly forebodes a misunderstanding. However when Don John finds out about this he plots to make mischief.
At the feast that Leonarto has prepared for his guests the act of courtship is seen and Shakespeare has purposely put the men in masks despite the fact they aren't needed to show the unnecessary rules of wooing. Everybody pairs up including Don Pedro, pretending to be Claudio, and Hero, as well as Beatrice and Benedick who use this as an opportunity to insult each other. Don John however deliberately tells Claudio that Don Pedro wants Hero for himself and Claudio believe him however this is sorted out and the marriage is arranged much to Don John's dismay. More scheming happens as everybody plans to match Beatrice and Benedick together and Don John plots to ruin the wedding.

Later Leonarto, Don Pedro and Claudio talk about Beatrice when they know that Benedick is eavesdropping. They say that Beatrice really loves Benedick but would never admit it, this leads to Benedick secretly admitting to himself that he likes Beatrice back but also fuels his ego.

Beatrice also overhears a conversation this time from Hero, her cousin where they say that Benedick secretly likes Beatrice, kindling a secret love between them despite their usually bickering which turns into an act.

Don Pedro's plan to deceive Claudio and Don Pedro into thinking that Hero is unfaithful works, however the critical part of the plan is not seen and is only talked about. Once they are fooled Borachio, one of Don John's men who played a large role in the plan was caught by the village watch bragging and was arrested.

More hints to Beatrice and Benedick as a couple are dropped into the conversations as everybody prepares for the wedding of Hero and Claudio.

However during the ceremony Claudio accuses Hero of being unfaithful after fooling for Don John's plan, he is backed up by Don Pedro and Hero faints at the accusations. Beatrice and Benedick stick together and support Hero instead of Claudio. From this the friar comes up with a plan to rid Hero of the slander by pretending she is dead in a hope that Claudio would feel guilty and revoke the accusation.

At this point the village watch had interviewed Borachio and found out about the plot which they tell Leonarto, Claudio and the Prince. While Beatrice and Benedick slowly become more forward in their love, Claudio and Don Pedro visit Hero's supposed tomb to pay respects. Leonarto reveals that Hero had a cousin who was exactly the same as Hero and would inherit his wealth just like Hero and Claudio promises to marry her.

At the wedding Hero reveals herself to be still alive and Beatrice and Benedick reveal their love and a double marriage occurs, followed by a celebration typical to a comedy play. The play actually ends on a dark moment that is quickly dismissed in the party as a messenger brings new of Don John raising an army.

Characters
Benedick- The Bragging Soldier character. Benedick enters the play very arrogantly yet it soon turns out to be the opposite as whenever he is challenged Benedick is the sort of man to run away to sulk. He swears that he will always be a bachelor despite his claims of being loved by all women. Whereas Don Pedro and Claudio support love Benedick is the character to talk down about it and turning it into farce. Due to his exaggerated nature it has been said that Benedick is the entertainer of the group yet because of his mannerisms its hard to tell if he always loved Beatrice or if he falls in love with her after a crucial moment, all that is known is that he has always admired her as he described her as being almost perfect in the first scene.