Summary

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Act 5, Scene 4: A Comic Denouement?

Claudio prepares to meet his new bride. Benedick makes arrangements with the Friar for his marriage to Beatrice.

Comedic ending

The Friar’s opening line “Did I not tell you she was innocent?” establishes that harmony is being restored and the play is on course for a traditional comedic ending.
This continues as Leonato asserts “So are the Prince and Claudio.”

Hero's resurrections

In a inverted mirroring of Don John’s deception, Claudio is not permitted to see his bride’s face until he agrees to marry her.
The reveal of Hero has strong religious undertones of resurrection.
From Claudio’s perspective she has literally returned from the dead, yet her reputation and - perhaps most significantly - her maiden purity (virginity) has also been restored.

Claudio’s redemption

Just as when it seems Benedick and Beatrice will publicly deny their love for each other, Claudio’s redemption is complete as he reveals Benedick’s poem for Beatrice.
In one final parallel, Hero does the same for Beatrice.
Again, religious imagery is used by Shakespeare as Benedick describes their confessions of love as a “miracle”.

Irony

There is great irony and humour in Benedick’s advice to Don Pedro: “Prince, thou art sad. Get thee a wife. Get thee a wife.”
The use of repetition emphasising Benedick’s comfort in the choice he has made.

Feminist perspective

From a feminist perspective, Benedick’s silencing of Beatrice with a kiss may be viewed negatively, as may Hero’s forgiveness of Claudio’s actions.
Nevertheless, they do illustrate the restoration of harmony as even Beatrice is now conforming to society’s expectations at the time the play was set.
The original intention behind her silence was likely to illustrate her contentment with her new husband.

Noble Benedick

Fittingly, the last line of the play belongs to Benedick as tells Don Pedro he will devise a suitable punishment for Don John.
Perhaps if Benedick had been present during the villain's initial accusations, none of the events preceding it would have occurred.
The prospect of Don John receiving his comeuppance from arguably the play’s most noble character is intended to leave the audience fully satisfied at the play’s resolution.

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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