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

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

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”

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.

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

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

1Key Terminology

1.1Key Terminology

1.1.1Key Terminology

1.1.2End of Topic Test - Key Terminology

2Structure & Form

2.1Structure

2.1.1Structure

2.1.2Acts 1 - 3

2.1.3Acts 4 - 5

2.2Form

2.2.1Tragicomedy

2.2.2End of Topic Test - Structure & Form

3Act 1: Plot Summary

3.1Act 1, Scene 1

3.1.1Summary

3.1.2Key Lines

3.1.3Key Lines 2

3.1.4End of Topic Test - Act 1, Scene 1

3.2Act 1, Scene 2

3.2.1Summary

3.2.2Key Lines

3.3Act 1, Scene 3

3.3.1Summary

3.3.2Key Lines

3.3.3End of Topic Test - Act 1, Scenes 2-3

4Act 2: Plot Summary

4.1Act 2, Scene 1

4.1.1Summary

4.1.2Key Lines

4.1.3Key Lines 2

4.1.4Key Lines 3

4.1.5End of Topic Test - Act 2, Scene 1

4.2Act 2, Scene 2

4.2.1Summary

4.3Act 2, Scene 3

4.3.1Summary

4.3.2Key Lines

4.3.3Key Lines 2

4.3.4End of Topic Test - Act 2, Scenes 2-3

5Act 3: Plot Summary

5.1Act 3, Scene 1

5.1.1Summary

5.1.2Key Lines

5.2Act 3, Scene 2

5.2.1Summary

5.2.2Key Lines

5.3Act 3, Scene 3

5.3.1Summary

5.4Act 3, Scene 4

5.4.1Summary

5.5Act 3, Scene 5

5.5.1Summary

5.5.2End of Topic Test - Act 3

6Act 4: Plot Summary

6.1Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 1)

6.1.1Summary

6.1.2Key Lines

6.1.3Key Lines 2

6.2Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 2)

6.2.1Summary

6.2.2Key Lines

6.2.3Key Lines 2

6.3Act 4, Scene 2

6.3.1Summary

6.3.2End of Topic Test - Act 4

7Act 5: Plot Summary

7.1Act 5, Scene 1

7.1.1Summary

7.2Act 5, Scene 2

7.2.1Summary

7.2.2Key Lines

7.3Act 5, Scene 3

7.3.1Summary

7.4Act 5, Scene 4

7.4.1Summary

7.4.2End of Topic Test - Act 5

8Key Themes

8.1Key Themes

8.1.1Love & Marriage

8.1.2Deception, Appearances & Noting

8.1.3Gender

8.1.4Reputation

8.1.5End of Topic Test - Key Themes

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