Acts 4 - 5
English Lit: AQA GCSE Much Ado About Nothing, topic 2.1.3
Act 4: Falling Action
Building towards resolution of the climax where the protagonist will either ‘win’ in a comedy or ‘lose’ in a tragedy.
Hero
- Hero is publicly denounced by Claudio at their wedding.
- She faints and as part of the Friar’s plan to restore her reputation, it is reported that she has died.
Beatrice
- Benedick and Beatrice declare their love for each other and in order to prove his love for her, he eventually acquiesces (agrees) to her request to “kill Claudio”.
From tragedy to comedy
- After veering close to tragedy in Act 4, Scene 1, the play begins to course correct back onto a comedic narrative as Dogberry and the Watch extract a confession from Borachio.
Act 5: Resolution/Denouement
Harmony is restored and any misunderstandings are cleared up. Excluding the villain, characters are reconciled to one another.
The truth
- Shortly after receiving Benedick’s challenge, Claudio learns the truth about Don John’s deception and immediately offers to atone for his slandering of Hero.
- Leonato gives him the opportunity to marry his brother Antonio’s daughter.
The marriage
- Fulfilling his instruction to hang an epitaph on Hero’s tomb, Claudio prepares to marry Antonio’s ‘daughter’.
- She is revealed to be Hero, much to Claudio’s joy.
Love and punishment
- Aided by Claudio and Hero, Benedick and Beatrice publicly confess their love for one another.
- A messenger returns with news of Don John’s capture.
- Benedick tells Don Pedro he will devise a suitable punishment.
Test yourself on Acts 4 - 5
In Act 4, who does Beatrice demand that Benedick kills?
Who is made to confess in Act 4?
Which couple declare their love for each other in Act 4?
Who is Antonio in Much Ado About Nothing?
Who's daughter does Claudio think he is preparing to marry in Act 5?