Much Ado About Nothing- Reader's Journals (Act I, II)

Act I introduces to us all the characters* of the play, the comedic aspects to be expected, as well as the general plot of the play.
*Innogen, Leonato's wife is present but has no part in the play here after. Don Peter of Arragon is also called Don Pedro hereafter.

Men have returned to Messina from some battle or other; a man of particular honour named Claudio is with them, and Beatrice asks for Benedick -referring to him as Signior Mountanto. The comedy has begun, as this nickname has two meanings:
1. master of fencing
2. master of thrusting (Italian for copulation between animals.) This is an essential innuendo as later in the play, the symbolism of a bull is greatly explored, and we consider the past between Benedick and Beatrice.

Beatrice begins to talk about Benedick in quite an insulting way, thus making a dramatic contrast between herself and the 'reserved' Hero.
BENEDICK: were you in doubt, sir, that you asked her?
LEONATO: Signior Benedick, no, for then were  you a child

This is referring to Hero being Leonato's daughter- the suggestion that Benedick is the father as he is hereby classed as a womaniser. This arises a debate between Benedick and Beatrice. Claudio confesses his love for Hero, much to Benedick's disappointment as he continues defending that he will never settle down. Nevertheless, intentions of marriage are mentioned.

Act I, scene I is in prose, until Claudio and Don Pedro start to talk about deeper emotions of love at the end, when it changes to poem style. Scene ii is very brief, regarding Antonio and his gossip about one of his men overhearing Don Pedro and Claudio talking in the enclosed garden area. Antonio reports that his man heard Don Pedro declare his love for Hero, and his intention to reveal his love for Hero that night. If Hero accepts Don Pedro’s love, then Don Pedro will tell Leonato right away, so they can be married (information is distorted, as Don Pedro will be wooing on Claudio’s behalf.) Leonato decides he’ll spring this news on Hero, so she can be prepared to deliver an answer. #The theme of eavesdropping and gossip is introduced.
It can also be anticipated that Much Ado About Nothing is the play revolving around the idealism of ''love'': primarily between Hero and Claudio, as well as Benedick and Beatrice.

Scene iii is also brief, revolving around the mood of Conrade and Don John and how they plot to cause mischief.



Act II starts with the general talk of marriage. the masquerade ball, whereby people are paired off. No surprise as to how things fall into place, and the revelation of the affair between the servants. Don John spills poison into Claudio's ear about Don Pedro and Hero. Claudio believes, and mopes around. Beatrice teases that he looks civil as an orange (punning on the fact that oranges from Seville, which sounds like "civil," were rather bitter. Also, orange is close to yellow, and yellow was a colour associated with jealousy). This is the opening of how Claudio's character is likely to develop.
Scene ii centres around the ball, and the conversations that ensue amongst the characters. We learn that Beatrice is rather oblivious (as she does not know who she's talking to) and continuously finds a way to talk about Benedick.

The marriage between Claudio and Hero is back on track, after little persuasion. Further evidence that Hero allows anything be said about and/or to her, while Claudio is gullible -perhaps a form of humour, particular to how easily fooled people can be. Don John is displeased about everything, and continuously insists on the breaking of the relationship between Claudio and Hero.

Scene iii is a very jokey scene, revolving around the inequalities of men and women -how women should not be judgemental about the promiscuities of men (ironic, considering the tumult to follow was about a woman's promiscuity). There is also the jape pulled off on Benedick, when he is led to believe Beatrice is in love with him