4.2.1

Summary

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Act 2, Scene 2

The theme of deception continues as Don John and Borachio plot to undo Claudio’s proposed marriage to Hero.

Control of women

Control of women

  • Borachio boasts that he can “at any appointed hour” make Margaret appear at Hero’s window.
  • This highlights the way women are objectified and controlled in the play.
  • The exception to this is Beatrice.
Noting

Noting

  • The villains’ plan is based on appearances and the idea that Claudio will think he is seeing Hero with Borachio, when in fact it is Margaret.
  • Again, this demonstrates the recurring motif of noting.
Deceptions escalating

Deceptions escalating

  • Shakespeare presents the idea of deceptions quickly escalating out of control with Borachio's suggestion that this plan will enable Don John to “misuse the prince, to vex Claudio, to undo Hero, and kill Leonato.”
The verbs

The verbs

  • The verbs here increase in severity, yet it is the innocent Hero and Leonato who suffer, rather than Don Pedro and Claudio, who the audience know from Act 1 played a key role in Don John’s defeat.
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

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  1. 1
    Act 2, Scene 2 - Borachio:Fill in the list
  2. 2
    Place this quotation from Borachio in Act 2, Scene 2 in the correct order:Put in order
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End of Topic Test - Act 2, Scene 1

Summary