9.1.19

Leonato & Messanger

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Act 1, Scene 1: Key Lines

As is typical of a Shakespearean comedy, a period of peace and harmony is established early in the play. However the conventions of comedy dictate that this harmony will soon be disrupted.

Key lines

Key lines

  • LEONATO: How many gentlemen have you lost in this action?
  • MESSENGER: But few of any sort and none of name
Typical peace

Typical peace

  • Much Ado About Nothing is set against the backdrop of a recently resolved conflict between Don Pedro and his illegitimate brother, Don John the bastard.
  • The Messenger’s response to Leonato’s question establishes the fact that the fighting is over, establishing a period of peace and harmony, typical of the opening of a Shakespearean comedy.
Conventions of comedy

Conventions of comedy

  • Nevertheless, the conventions of comedy dictate that this harmony will soon be disrupted; whilst he appears to be reconciled to his brother in Act 1, Scene 1, Don John will soon reveal his villainous intentions in Act 1, Scene 3.
  • An audience may question just how long this fragile peace between the warring brothers will last.
Significance of status

Significance of status

  • Leonato’s use of the noun “gentleman” also illustrates the important role of men within the play.
  • This is developed further with the Messenger’s response.
  • “None of name” implies that no-one important has died in the conflict, although a “few” soldiers have.
  • Thus, Shakespeare subtly reveals the significance of status and reputation at the very start of the play.
Misogyny

Misogyny

  • Structurally and thematically, the significance of status is an idea that is ever-present throughout the play and partly accounts for the misogynistic treatment of Hero by Claudio, Don Pedro and Leonato at her wedding to Claudio.
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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Leonato

Deception, Appearances & Noting