Instructions: Type right on this document. Use blue or black font. Much Ado About Nothing
Study Guide
Characters Label the following characters and give evidence from the text for you choice. Mark the protagonist and the antagonist. (Hint there is only one of each.) Give evidence. Name
Round/Flat
Evidence
Static/Dynamic
Evidence
Protagonist
Antagonist
Evidence
Beatrice
Benedick
Claudio
Hero
Don Pedro
Leonato
Don John
Margaret
Borachio
Conrad
Dogberry
Verges
Antonio
Balthasar
Ursula
Design a Facebook page for three of the characters. This can be done in presentations and submitted separately. (30 points) Vocabulary ● Disdain ● Manent ● Hey nonny nonny ● Knavery ● Valiant ● Virtue ● Wit ● Reechy ● Smirched ● Coxcomb Scene 1
1.
Act I
When Leonato asked how many gentlemen were killed, who or what was he referring to? 2.
What does the following proverb mean? How much better is it to weep at joy than to joy at weeping. 3.
What does Beatrice say about Benedick’s friendships? 4.
How does the messenger respond to her accusations about Benedick? 5.
What does Don Pedro say about Leonato and money? 6.
Beatrice talks about a preference is hearing two sounds. What are they, and what does she mean by that? 7.
What does Benedick swear regarding women? 8.
What does Benedick tell his friends to do if he ever falls in love? 9.
Has Claudio met Hero before? What is different this time? 10.
How does Don Pedro plan to get Gero for Claudio? Scene 2
11.
Predict: How will Don Pedro’s conversation with Hero create confusion? Scene 3
12.
What kind of personality does Don John have? Cite lines and examples that show us this. 13.
Why is Don John jealous of Claudio? Act II
Scene 1
14.
According to Leonato, why won’t Beatrice get a husband? How do you feel about this? 15.
Interpret Beatrice’s speech line 3035. 16.
According to Beatrice, what are the three stages of romance? 17.
Starting in line 113, how does Beatrice tease/ insult Benedick? 18.
Why does Claudio lie to Don John and say he is Benedick? 19.
How is Don John creating tension in this scene? 20.
What does he mean when Benedick says the following to Claudio? Ho, now you strike like the blind man. ‘Twas the boy that stole your meat, and you’ll beat the post. 21.
Do you think Beatrice and Benedick really can’t stand each other? Justiy for anser. 22.
Interpret what Benedick is saying in lines 220227. 23.
Do you agree with Don Pedro’s match for Beatrice and Benedick? Why? Why not? Scene 2
24.
What plan does Borachio hatch? Scene 3
25.
When Benedick talks about Claudio, he refers to the symbols of the drum and the fife, and the tabor and the pipe. What do the two sets represent? 26.
What will be different for Benedick than for Claudio if Benedick ever falls in love? 27.
What is Benedick talking about when he says, Is it not strange that sheeps’ guts should hale souls out of men’s bodies? (Think about the stage direction just before Benedick’s line.) 28.
When Don Pedro and the others lay the trap, why does Benedick take the bait? 29.
Why would Don Pedro say he wishes Beatrice loved him instead of Benedick? 30.
How is that manipulating Benedick? 31.
When Beatrice and Benedick next meet, how has his attitude changed toward her? 32.
How does he misinterpret her words? 33.
How is this comedy? 34.
What kind of irony is this? Act III
Scene 1
35.
According to Hero, what does Cupid use to make arrows? 36.
To what sport does Ursula compare their scheme? 37.
What kind of reverse psychology are the friends using on Beatrice and Benedick? (Beatrice would never love Benedick and visa versa) 38.
Cupid doesn’t just use arrows. What else does he use? Scene 2
39.
When Benedick tells Don Pedro he has a toothache, what does the toothache represent?
40.
What did Benedick do to himself? What does that reveal about him? 41.
If Claudio sees something bad what is his plan for Hero? Scene 3
42.
Who is Dogberry? 43.
Why does he use made up words like desartless? 44.
What orders does Dogberry give the watch? 45.
What are they to do if they encounter any of these offenders? 46.
How effective will this make the watch? 47.
Now that the watch has their orders? What are they going to do? (Line 76) 48.
In line 86, how does Borachio insult Conrade? 49.
What does this show us about Borachio’s character? 50.
Predict: How could Seacole’s new knowledge affect the plot? 51.
Find three examples of allusion and explain them. 52.
Interpret Conrade’s quote: “All this I see, and I see that the fashion wears out more apparel than the man.” 53.
What rotten thing did Borachio do? What’s the story he’s recounting? 54.
How did Claudio react? Act IV
Scene 1
55.
Why is Benedick joking at such a serious moment? 56.
What is virtue? 57.
Why is virtue so important to these characters? 58.
In line 107 what does Leonato want to do, and why? 59.
What hurtful things does Leonato say to Hero? 60.
Who calms Leonato down? 61.
Who does Benedick suspect is behind all this? Why? 62.
What is Friar Francis’ plan? 63.
What is the purpose of this plan? 64.
Interpret what Leonato says: “Being that I flow in grief, The smallest twine may lead me.” 65.
What will Benedick do to prove his love for Beatrice? How will this prove his love? Scene 2
66.
Explain the pun Dogberry uses, “Is our whole dissembly appeared?” 67.
Why is Dogberry trying to do the Sexton’s job? 68.
Why did Shakespeare put a comedic scene after the one where Claudio rejects Hero? Act V
Scene 1
69.
Why does Leonato say Antonio can’t comfort him? 70.
Why does Antonio compare Leonato to a child? 71.
Why won’t Claudio duel with Leonato? 72.
What does this show us about Claudio’s character? 73.
Why are Don Pedro and Claudio looking for Benedick? 74.
How does Claudio react to Benedick’s challenge? 75.
Why does Claudio suspect Benedick challenged him? 76.
What are the charges Dogberry accuses the prisoners of when he brings them to Don Pedro? 77.
In line 256, what does Claudio ask Leonato to do? 78.
What does Borachio say about Margaret? 79.
Do you think she shares in the blames? Why or why not? Scene 2
80.
In lines 1730 what is Benedick doing? 81.
What reward does Benedick want from Beatrice? 82.
Why won’t she kiss him? 83.
Interpret Benedick’s line: “Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably.” Scene 4
84.
Why does Leonato want the women all masked? What is he up to? 85.
What does Benedick ask of Leonato? 86.
Why is Leonato’s reply? 87.
How did Hero “die”? (Think symbolically, figuratively) 88.
Why won’t Benedick and Beatrice just admit they’re in love? 89.
How does Benedick stop their quarrelling? 90.
What advice does Benedick give Don Pedro? 91.
Predict: Which relationship will last longer? Explain. 92.
Did the right people get married? Explain.