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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 |
Female |
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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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 |
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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Featured |
Male |
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 description or declaration; a display on a coat-of-arms
In the Italian Renaissance, a form of popular theatre emerged where a professional troupe of actors that used colorful stock characters, improvised dialigue, and lazzi to create entertaining stories.
Cheat
Disguise or deceive
Gladly, willing to do something
Beautiful
Temperament, mood
The use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, done mistakenly and unintentionally creating a comic effect.
(verb) Pay attention to; (noun) a distinctive blemish or image worth noting
A speech given by a character that reveals inner thoughts only shared with the audience.
The same stereotypical characters that usually appeared in every play.
Archaic form of "why"
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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