1.1.1

Key Terminology

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Key Terminology

In Section A of AQA’s English Literature Paper 1 (Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel), students are assessed on their use of spelling, punctuation and grammar: the following terms may prove useful.

Comedy and tragedy

Comedy and tragedy

  • Comedy and tragedy are the two original forms of classical Greek drama.
  • Comedies are often light-hearted and whilst the protagonists (main characters) are presented with plot obstacles that they must overcome, they do so and these plays end happily, often in marriage.
  • Tragedies are much more serious in tone and the Greek writer and philosopher, Aristotle, felt that in watching them, the audience should experience feelings of both fear and pity.
Bachelor

Bachelor

  • A bachelor is an unmarried man.
  • In Much Ado About Nothing, the character of Benedick is a sworn bachelor and vows to never marry.
Spinster

Spinster

  • A spinster is an unmarried woman, such as Beatrice at the beginning of the play.
  • This term often carries more negative connotations (associated meanings) than its male equivalent (bachelor).
  • This is known as lexical asymmetry.
Misogyny

Misogyny

  • Misogyny is a strong dislike or prejudice towards women.
  • Claudio’s treatment of Hero at their wedding in Act 4, Scene 1 could certainly be described as misogynistic.
Patriarchy

Patriarchy

  • Patriarchy is a system or society that in controlled and/or dominated by men.
  • The society of Messina in Much Ado About Nothing is patriarchal; its most senior figures are both male (Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon and Leonato, the Governor of Messina).
  • The fact that the villainous Don John’s lies are believed over Hero also illustrates the inferior social standing of women in the play.

Nothing and Noting

In Shakespeare’s time, the words nothing and noting were pronounced in a similar way. This holds some significance in terms of Much Ado About Nothing, giving the title three different possible meanings.

1. Much Ado About Nothing

  1. Much Ado About Nothing

  • Much Ado About Nothing = a lot of fuss over something trivial.
  • A concept well suited for a Shakespearean comedy.
  • The nothing in the title relates to the lack of actual proof in the accusations against Hero.
2. Much Ado About Noting

  1. Much Ado About Noting

  • Much Ado About Noting = the importance of looking closely and taking note of things.
  • Deception and appearances is a key motif (recurring idea) throughout the play.
3. Nothing (No Thing)

  1. Nothing (No Thing)

  • Nothing (No Thing) was also an Elizabethan euphemism (a milder way of referring to something unpleasant) for the female genitals.
  • In this way, Much Ado About Nothing also relates to the value Shakespeare’s society placed on a woman’s virginity before she was married.
Jump to other topics
1

Key Terminology

1.1

Key Terminology

1.1.1Key Terminology1.1.2End of Topic Test - Key Terminology
2

Structure & Form

2.1

Structure

2.1.1Structure2.1.2Acts 1 - 32.1.3Acts 4 - 5
2.2

Form

2.2.1Tragicomedy2.2.2End of Topic Test - Structure & Form
3

Act 1: Plot Summary

3.1

Act 1, Scene 1

3.1.1Summary3.1.2Key Lines3.1.3Key Lines 23.1.4End of Topic Test - Act 1, Scene 1
3.2

Act 1, Scene 2

3.2.1Summary3.2.2Key Lines
3.3

Act 1, Scene 3

3.3.1Summary3.3.2Key Lines3.3.3End of Topic Test - Act 1, Scenes 2-3
4

Act 2: Plot Summary

4.1

Act 2, Scene 1

4.1.1Summary4.1.2Key Lines4.1.3Key Lines 24.1.4Key Lines 34.1.5End of Topic Test - Act 2, Scene 1
4.2

Act 2, Scene 2

4.2.1Summary
4.3

Act 2, Scene 3

4.3.1Summary4.3.2Key Lines4.3.3Key Lines 24.3.4End of Topic Test - Act 2, Scenes 2-3
5

Act 3: Plot Summary

5.1

Act 3, Scene 1

5.1.1Summary5.1.2Key Lines
5.2

Act 3, Scene 2

5.2.1Summary5.2.2Key Lines
5.3

Act 3, Scene 3

5.3.1Summary
5.4

Act 3, Scene 4

5.4.1Summary
5.5

Act 3, Scene 5

5.5.1Summary5.5.2End of Topic Test - Act 3
6

Act 4: Plot Summary

6.1

Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 1)

6.1.1Summary6.1.2Key Lines6.1.3Key Lines 2
6.2

Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 2)

6.2.1Summary6.2.2Key Lines6.2.3Key Lines 2
6.3

Act 4, Scene 2

6.3.1Summary6.3.2End of Topic Test - Act 4
7

Act 5: Plot Summary

7.1

Act 5, Scene 1

7.1.1Summary
7.2

Act 5, Scene 2

7.2.1Summary7.2.2Key Lines
7.3

Act 5, Scene 3

7.3.1Summary
7.4

Act 5, Scene 4

7.4.1Summary7.4.2End of Topic Test - Act 5
8

Key Themes

8.1

Key Themes

8.1.1Love & Marriage8.1.2Deception, Appearances & Noting8.1.3Gender8.1.4Reputation8.1.5End of Topic Test - Key Themes
9

Recap: Main Quotes

9.1

Characters Quotes

9.1.1Beatrice9.1.2Beatrice 29.1.3Benedick 19.1.4Benedick 29.1.5Benedick 39.1.6Benedick 49.1.7Benedick 59.1.8Beatrice & Benedick9.1.9Beatrice & Benedick 29.1.10Beatrice & Benedick 39.1.11Claudio9.1.12Claudio 29.1.13Claudio & Benedick9.1.14Don John9.1.15Don John 29.1.16Don Pedro9.1.17Hero9.1.18Leonato9.1.19Leonato & Messanger
9.2

Text Structure - Quotes

9.2.1Deception, Appearances & Noting9.2.2Gender9.2.3Reputation

Practice questions on Key Terminology

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  1. 1
    In _Much Ado About Nothing_, which character is a sworn bachelor and vows to never marry?Multiple choice
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End of Topic Test - Key Terminology