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Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare Act I, scenes i-iii. “He hath borne himself beyond the promise of his age; doing, in the figure of a lamb, the feats of a lion: he hath, indeed, better bettered expectation than you must expect of me to tell you how” (I.i.13-17).
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Much Ado About Nothingby William ShakespeareAct I, scenes i-iii
“He hath borne himself beyond the promise of his age; doing, in the figure of a lamb, the feats of a lion: he hath, indeed, better bettered expectation than you must expect of me to tell you how” (I.i.13-17). • About whom is the speaker speaking? Claudio in battle fighting for Don Pedro • What does the speaker mean that “He hath borne himself beyond the promise of his age?” Claudio fought much better than anyone expected him to fight since he is so young. • What does he mean that he did “in the figure of a lamb, the feats of a lion?” Claudio seems young and weak, but he fought with ferocity and strength. He fought like an experienced soldier.
“You must not, sir, mistake my niece: there is a kind of merry war betwixt Signior Benedick and her: they never meet but there is a skirmish of wit between them” (I.i.59-62). • Between whom is there a “merry war?” Benedick and Beatrice are always fighting. • What is this word “merry?” What does this adjective suggest? Because the word “merry” means enjoyable or full of fun, the word suggests that Beatrice and Benedick enjoy fighting with each other. They like their “skirmishes.”
“That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that she brought me up, I likewise give her most humble thanks....Because I will not do them the wrong to mistrust any, I will do myself the right to trust none. And the fine is, for the which I may go the finer, I will live a bachelor” (I.i.234-242). • Who is speaking? Benedick • What is the speaker explaining to the audience when he says “I will live a bachelor?” He is explaining that he will never marry; he will live his entire life as a bachelor. • For what two things does the speaker thank women? He thanks his mother for giving birth to him (for actually “making” him in her womb) and for raising him. • When the speaker says “I will do myself the right to trust none,” what does the speaker suggest about why he refuses to ever marry? Benedick is suggesting that he knows that he doesn’t trust women and as a result, he has decided not get married.
“I cannot hide what I am. I must be sad when I have cause, and smile at no man’s jests; eat when I have stomach, and wait for no man’s leisure; sleep when I am drowsy, and tend on no man’s business; laugh when I am merry” (I.iii.12-17). This is Don John speaking. What does he explain about his character? Don John is explaining that he doesn’t like to change his behavior because of other people. He wants to be able to do what he wants when he wants. This desire isn’t practical because Don John is a bastard—he must think about pleasing others, because he has no legitimate claim to power. Don John needs Don Pedro’s favor.
Don Pedro tells Claudio that “I know we will have reveling tonight.I will assume thy part in some disguiseAnd tell fair Hero I am Claudio,And in her bosom I’ll unclasp my heartAnd take her hearing prisoner with the force And strong encounter of my amorous tale.Then after to her father will I break,And the conclusion is, she shall be thine” (I.i.315-323). • What is Don Pedro’s plan to help his friend, Claudio? At the party that night, Don Pedro plans to pretend to be Claudio. In this disguise, he will tell Hero how much he loves her using the most persuasive language possible. Then, Don Pedro will go to Leonato and explain that Claudio wants Hero. Don Pedro feels absolutely confident that Leonato will then give Hero to Claudio. • Is this plan very considerate of Hero’s feeling? Don Pedro’s plan seems to treat Hero as a prize to be won and then shared with friends. Don Pedro’s words actively objectify Hero—turn her into an object.
