Much Ado About

NothingSession 3

Learning Goals

• To explore how Shakespeare establishes character and setting in Act One Scene One

• To identify how Shakespeare creates comedy in Act One Scene One

Agree or Disagree?

• Love at first sight is possible

• Love is for fools

• Women should be submissive in relationships

• If is worse for a women to be unfaithful than a man

• Arranged marriages are best

The World of Messina

“The Merry War”

Beatrice and Benedick

• http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/video/beatrice-and-benedick-in-much-ado-about-nothing

Lines 23-69

• What are your first impressions of Beatrice?

• She offers a biting critique of Benedick’s character. What aspects of his personality does she critique?

• How does her language contrast with that of the messenger?

• How does her use of word play create humour (consider the reaction of the messenger)?

Wordplay

Wordplay

Wordplay

Wordplay

David Tennant and Catherine Tate

• https://www.digitaltheatre.com/account/library

The Merry War

• Read lines 86-107

• How would you perform this scene?

• How does Shakespeare create comedy through word play here?

• Is there a more sinister undertone to the language?

• How would you describe the relationship?

Claudio v Benedick

• Read lines 119-150

• How do Claudio and Benedick’s attitudes towards love contrast?

• Which character do you have most sympathy for and why?

Home Learning

• How does Shakespeare create comedy in Act One Scene One? Consider:

• The exchange between Beatrice and the messenger

• Beatrice and Benedick’s repartee• Claudio and Benedick’s contrasting views

of love• Dramatic irony (structure of play- we know

they will fall in love!)