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Overview
Synopsis
The Bard’s famous comedic romp known for the brilliant war of words between the feisty Beatrice and the staunch bachelor Benedick, Much Ado About Nothing plays out amidst the brittle high spirits of a post-war house party. When Don Pedro Prince of Aragon visits Leonato, Duke of Messina, love antics ensue. War hero Claudio falls in love with Leonato’s daughter, Hero and their marriage is agreed upon. While marriage preparations ensue, Don Pedro schemes up a plan to make old flames and longtime bantering partners Benedick and Beatrice fall in love. Despite Beatrice’s ire against Benedick and his claims to being a confirmed bachelor, when each overhears that the other is in love with him/her, he/she begins to wonder whether love between them is possible. Meanwhile Don John, the prince's misanthropic bastard brother, contrives a more malicious plot to make Claudio believe his betrothed is unfaithful. The wedding day arrives, and Claudio denounces Hero at the altar. When Hero faints, the men abandon the wedding party, and she takes the advice of the Friar – who is convinced of her innocence – to pretend to be dead until the truth can be revealed. The foolish constable Dogberry and his watchmen overhear Borachio boasting of his exploit and the plot is exposed. Claudio promises to make amends to Leonato: he is required to marry a cousin of Hero's in her place. When unmasked, she is revealed as Hero. Claudio and Hero plan to marry, and Benedick and Beatrice do the same. This charming exploration of love and marriage, friendship and honor, features some of Shakespeare’s wittiest and most poignant dialogue.
Show Information
- Book
- William Shakespeare
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 5
- First Produced
- 1599
- Genres
- Comedy, Romance
- Settings
- Multiple Settings, Period
- Time & Place
- messina, italy
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Ensemble Cast, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Elderly Characters
Context
Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing was published in 1600, although evidence suggests it was written and performed at least a year prior, possibly starring the popular Elizabethan comic actor William Kempe as Dogberry. However, the earliest definitively documented performance was at King James' court in 1612-1613, incorporated into the celebrations before the wedding of Princess Elizabeth.
The plot in Much Ado About Nothing of young lovers kept apart was a common one in Renaissance
to read the context for Much Ado About Nothing and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act 1, Scene 1
Leonato, the governor of Messina, reads a letter from a messenger that announces the arrival of Don Pedro, the Prince of Aragon. Don Pedro and his army are returning victorious from a battle and a young soldier named Claudio has been bestowed with honors for his valiant deeds. Leonato’s daughter Hero and his niece Beatrice are listening and Beatrice asks the messenger if a man named Benedick has returned from war. It is clear that Beatrice dislikes Benedick by her constant use
to read the plot for Much Ado About Nothing and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Either or Both |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Either or Both |
Spoken |
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Ensemble |
Either or Both |
Spoken |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A poetic or dramatic listing of a person's attributes or characteristics, often used to praise or mock.
An Italian theatrical form featuring masked stock characters, improvisation, and physical comedy, influential in modern comedy and clowning.
To deceive or trick; used in older dramatic works to describe manipulation or con artistry.
To conceal one's true motives or feelings, a frequent tactic in English Renaissance drama.
An archaic word meaning 'gladly' or 'willingly,' often found in English Renaissance plays.
Used in classical texts to describe beauty or fairness; also used in dialogue to suggest sincerity or justice.
A term in classical medicine and drama referring to bodily fluids that affect temperament; also used to mean comedy. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.
A comedic device where a word is mistakenly replaced with a similar-sounding but incorrect one, leading to humorous misunderstanding. Frequently used in English Renaissance comedy to reveal character ignorance.
A designated spot on the stage where an actor is to stand, aiding consistency and lighting accuracy during performances. Hitting one's mark is crucial for blocking and technical alignment.
A speech delivered by a character alone on stage, revealing inner thoughts or emotions to the audience. Common in Shakespearean plays.
Recognizable character types used across theatrical traditions, such as the fool, villain, or ingenue.
An old English word meaning 'why,' famously used in Shakespeare’s 'Romeo and Juliet' to express inquiry, not location.
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