ENG2403 Axel-Lute

SHAKESPEARE’S MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

STUDY GUIDE

Know who all the characters are, especially:

• Hero & Claudio
• Beatrice & Benedick
• Leonato
• Don Pedro (The Prince)
• Don John
• Dogberry

Know their relationships with each other.

What are they like? What are their personalities?

What are their motivations? Why do they do what they do?

What are their flaws and strengths?

Three things to be aware of when reading this play:

1. The importance of eavesdropping and overhearing things. Who overhears what? What is the result?

2. What part deception plays in this plot. Who lies? Who creates a false impression? Why? Notice how often characters wear masks or veils. What does this symbolize?

3. Wordplay. Puns and malapropisms. Use and abuse of language.

What are the different characters’ attitudes towards love?

Why are Don Pedro and Claudio so easily convinced that Hero has been unfaithful?

Why are Beatrice and Benedick so easily convinced that the other is in love?

What are the power dynamics in the society of Messina? Who’s in charge? Who can tell whom what to do?

At the end, has anyone actually learned anything? Been changed?