2.2.1

Tragicomedy

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Tragicomedy

Despite its harmonious ending, Much Ado About Nothing contains conventions often associated with tragedy. As such, the play could be considered as a tragicomedy.

Tragicomedy

Tragicomedy

  • Despite its harmonious ending, with the prospect of the marriages of Claudio to Hero and Benedick to Beatrice, Much Ado About Nothing does contain conventions often associated with tragedy.
  • As such, the play could be considered (like several of Shakespeare’s later plays) as a tragicomedy.
Definition of tragicomedy

Definition of tragicomedy

  • A useful definition, and one that applies usefully to Much Ado About Nothing, was given by John Fletcher - one of Shakespeare’s contemporaries:
    • “A tragi-comedy is not so called in respect of mirth and killing, but in respect that it [lacks] death, which is enough to make it no tragedy, yet brings some near it, which is enough to make it no comedy.”
“Brings some near death”

“Brings some near death”

  • In Act 2, Scene 2, Borachio assures Don John that his plan will enable his master “to misuse the Prince, to vex Claudio, to undo Hero, and kill Leonato.”
  • In Act 4, Scene 1, Leonato’s “hath no man’s dagger here a point for me?” implies he is so ashamed of Hero’s alleged unfaithfulness towards Claudio that he would take her (and possibly his own) life.
“Brings some near death” cont.

“Brings some near death” cont.

  • Beatrice’s command for Benedick to “kill Claudio” could easily result in Act 5 ending in catastrophe, with both Claudio and Benedick fatally wounded.
  • Fortunately, at the end of Act 5, Scene 2, Ursula informs Benedick and Beatrice:
    • “it is proved my Lady Hero hath been
      falsely accused, the prince and Claudio mightily
      abused; and Don John is the author of all”
The comedic ending

The comedic ending

  • Act 5, Scene 3 and Act 5, Scene 4 serve the dramatic function of restoring harmony and ensuring the comedic ending is achieved.
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 Tragicomedy

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  1. 1
    John Fletcher's definition of a tragicomedy:Fill in the list
  2. 2
    Who does Beatrice ask Benedick to kill?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Which character says __“hath no man’s dagger here a point for me?”__ in Act 4?Multiple choice
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Acts 4 - 5

End of Topic Test - Structure & Form