Much Ado About NothingBy William Shakespeare

Components of a Shakespearean Comedy

1. A greater emphasis on situations than characters (this numbs the audience's connection to the characters, so that when characters experience misfortune, the audience still finds it laughable)

2. A struggle of young lovers to overcome difficulty, often presented by elders3. Separation and re-unification4. Deception among characters (especially mistaken identity)5. A clever servant6. Disputes between characters, often within a family7. Multiple, intertwining plots8. Use of all styles of comedy (slapstick, puns, dry humor, earthy humor, witty banter, practical

jokes)9. Pastoral element (courtly people living an idealized, rural life), originally an element of Pastoral

Romance, exploited by Shakespeare for his comic plots and often parodied therein for humorous effects

10. Happy Ending

Setting – Messina, Italy Around the end of the 15th century 1479

What does the title actually mean?

That everyone is upset and/or excited over things that really

are NOT a big deal or a problem.

Basic Plot or Storyline The story revolves around 2 couples: Beatrice and Benedick & Hero and

Claudio

Beatrice and Benedick: the seem to hate each other at the beginning of the play Hero and Claudio -- they are truly innocent and in love for real

But, does the course of love ever really run smoothly?

Don’t forget to look for the elements of a comedy as you watch!

Leonato

The father of Hero and the uncle of Beatrice. He is the governor of Messina and a respected, well-to-do, elderly

nobleman. The action of the play takes place in his home. He isthe second in status only to Don Pedro, the Prince.

Hero

The beautiful young daughter of Leonato and cousin to Beatrice. She is lovely, gentle, and innocent.

She loves Claudio.

Antonio

• Leonato’s elderly brother.

• Uncle to Hero and Beatrice.

Ursula

One of Hero’s waiting women. She is older, wiser, and of a higher class than

Margaret.

Beatrice The niece of Leonato and cousin to Hero. She is extremely quick-witted and sarcastic. She frequently amuses her friends and

relatives with elaborate stories and jokes. She is generous and good-hearted and has a

tendency to use her wit to mock and tease others.

Benedick is the target of her harshest mockery

Don Pedro A very important nobleman from Aragon.

He is often referred to as The Prince. He is a longtime friend of Leonato, Hero’s

father. He is close to the soldiers he leads

(Benedick and Claudio) He is generous, courteous, and intelligent Very loving to his friends but is quick to

believe evil wrongdoings and very hasty to take revenge

The most politically and socially powerful character in the play

Verges The deputy to Dogberry

Don John Don Pedro’s illegitimate half brother. Sometimes referred to as The Bastard. He is melancholy and sullen He creates He has a dark scheme to ruin the

happiness of Hero and Claudio. He is the Villian of the play He is motivated mainly by his envy

and jealousy for his brother’s power and authority.

Claudio A young soldier who has won great

honor fighting in wars under Don Pedro.

He falls in love with Hero upon his return to Messina.

He is valiant and loving He is gullible and quick to believe

nasty rumors. He is quick to feel betrayed by those

close to him.

Benedick A gentleman and soldier who has recently been

fighting at war along with Don Pedro. He is a close friend to Don Pedro and Claudio. He is like Beatrice in that he is very witty and

mocking of others He is full of elaborate jokes, comparisons, and

puns. He swears he will never marry. He is critical of women and does not trust that they

won’t cheat on him.

Dogberry The chief of police of Messina. He is in charge of the watch. He is very sincere and takes his job

very seriously. He has a habit of using the wrong

word when speaking. One of the few middle class characters He has a desire to speak formally and

elaborately like a nobleman (many parodies and humorous exchanges are based on this quality)

Margaret and Borachio Hero’s serving woman She unknowingly helps Borachio and Don

John to deceive Claudio into thinking Hero cheated on him.

She is lower class, honest, loves to break decorum

Tells dirty jokes Borachio conspires with Don John to trick

Claudio and Don Pedro into thinking that Hero cheated on Claudio.

He is mistrustful and easily bribed His name means drunkard in Italian Lovers

Conrade One of Don John’s intimate

associates. Devoted to Don John and his

schemes.