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Act 3, Scene 5

Dogberry fails to inform Leonato that the Watch have arrested Borachio.

Dogberry

Dogberry

  • As Don John’s plot builds to its climax, it falls to the incompetent Dogberry to try and save the situation.
Malapropisms

Malapropisms

  • Shakespeare has Dogberry speak in a long-winded style, using malapropisms (where he uses the wrong word in the wrong context).
  • As a result, Leonato does not understand what he is trying to tell him about Don John and Borachio’s plot.
Deceptions

Deceptions

  • Shakespeare has already shown the impact words can have on an individual in the deceptions played on both Benedick and Beatrice and Claudio.
  • This short scene helps to further illustrate this key aspect of the play.
Jump to other topics
1

Key Terminology

2

Structure & Form

3

Act 1: Plot Summary

4

Act 2: Plot Summary

5

Act 3: Plot Summary

5.1

Act 3, Scene 1

5.2

Act 3, Scene 2

5.3

Act 3, Scene 3

5.4

Act 3, Scene 4

5.5

Act 3, Scene 5

6

Act 4: Plot Summary

7

Act 5: Plot Summary

7.1

Act 5, Scene 1

7.2

Act 5, Scene 2

7.3

Act 5, Scene 3

7.4

Act 5, Scene 4

8

Key Themes

9

Recap: Main Quotes

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