4.1.1

Summary

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Act 2, Scene 1: Claudio and Hero

This lengthy scene is centred around the key theme of deception and appearances as it is set during a ball masque or masked ball. Some characters are unaware of who they are speaking to. Others pretend to be someone else.

Act 2 (rising action)

Act 2 (rising action)

  • At a masked ball, Don Pedro and Don John’s deceptive plots are put into action.
  • Despite Don John’s best efforts, Claudio and Hero are to marry in a week’s time.
  • In the meantime, Don Pedro hatches another plot to trick Benedick and Beatrice into falling in love.
Act 2, Scene 1

Act 2, Scene 1

  • The scene begins with a Leonato, Antonio, Beatrice and Hero discussing Don John, whom the audience now know has revealed himself as the play’s villain.
  • Beatrice's distrust of him illustrates her insightful character.
Blank verse

Blank verse

  • The revels begin and Don Pedro begins his wooing of Hero.
  • As with much of the dialogue in scenes featuring Hero, blank verse is utilised here to highlight the formal, traditional approach to love and romance.
Benedick and Beatrice

Benedick and Beatrice

  • Benedick and Beatrice again insult one another, seemingly unaware they are talking to each other.
  • This time, Beatrice has the advantage, describing Benedick as “the prince’s jester; a very dull fool.”
Deception

Deception

  • Don John deceives Claudio into thinking Don Pedro has wooed Hero for himself.
  • In having Claudio react in the way he does (“beauty is a witch”), Shakespeare is preparing the audience for the second time he is tricked by Don John and Borachio, and when he will publicly denounce (reject) Hero on their wedding day.

Act 2, Scene 1: Benedick and Beatrice

This lengthy scene is centred around the key theme of deception and appearances as it is set during a ball masque or masked ball. Some characters are unaware of who they are speaking to. Others pretend to be someone else.

Benedick's diatribe

Benedick's diatribe

  • Don Pedro talks with Benedick, who launches into a diatribe (extended speech expressing feelings of anger) against Beatrice.
  • Again, the audience are given a hint that there may be more to the “merry war of words” than there initially appeared to be.
Beatrice's feelings

Beatrice's feelings

  • This is further supported when, after he has resolved Claudio’s confusion, Beatrice tells Don Pedro that Benedick once won her heart “with false dice.”
Don Pedro's plan

Don Pedro's plan

  • Don Pedro realises that Beatrice and Benedick are well-suited and requests the help of Claudio, Leonato and Hero in undertaking “one of Hercules’ labours” to make them fall “into a mountain of affection” with each other.
Hercules’ labours

Hercules’ labours

  • Hercules’ labours were twelve impossible tasks, which he successfully managed to complete.
  • This could be viewed as subtle foreshadowing of the climax to the play’s subplot.
  • The use of natural imagery implies that, despite being borne of deception, the love between Benedick and Beatrice will be strong and deep.
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 Summary

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  1. 1
    Which character says __“beauty is a witch”__ in Act 2, Scene 1?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Act 2, Scene 1:True / false
  3. 3
    Times Claudio is deceived by Don John:Fill in the list
  4. 4
    Where is Act 2, Scene 1 set?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    Act 2, Scene 1 quotations: True / false
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End of Topic Test - Act 1, Scenes 2-3

Key Lines