9.1.19
Leonato & Messanger
Act 1, Scene 1: Key Lines
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.
1Key Terminology
1.1Key Terminology
2Structure & Form
3Act 1: Plot Summary
3.2Act 1, Scene 2
3.3Act 1, Scene 3
4Act 2: Plot Summary
4.1Act 2, Scene 1
4.2Act 2, Scene 2
5Act 3: Plot Summary
5.1Act 3, Scene 1
5.2Act 3, Scene 2
5.3Act 3, Scene 3
5.4Act 3, Scene 4
5.5Act 3, Scene 5
6Act 4: Plot Summary
6.1Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 1)
6.2Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 2)
6.3Act 4, Scene 2
7Act 5: Plot Summary
7.1Act 5, Scene 1
7.2Act 5, Scene 2
7.3Act 5, Scene 3
7.4Act 5, Scene 4
8Key Themes
9Recap: Main Quotes
9.1Characters Quotes
9.1.1Beatrice
9.1.2Beatrice 2
9.1.3Benedick 1
9.1.4Benedick 2
9.1.5Benedick 3
9.1.6Benedick 4
9.1.7Benedick 5
9.1.8Beatrice & Benedick
9.1.9Beatrice & Benedick 2
9.1.10Beatrice & Benedick 3
9.1.11Claudio
9.1.12Claudio 2
9.1.13Claudio & Benedick
9.1.14Don John
9.1.15Don John 2
9.1.16Don Pedro
9.1.17Hero
9.1.18Leonato
9.1.19Leonato & Messanger
9.2Text Structure - Quotes
Jump to other topics
1Key Terminology
1.1Key Terminology
2Structure & Form
3Act 1: Plot Summary
3.2Act 1, Scene 2
3.3Act 1, Scene 3
4Act 2: Plot Summary
4.1Act 2, Scene 1
4.2Act 2, Scene 2
5Act 3: Plot Summary
5.1Act 3, Scene 1
5.2Act 3, Scene 2
5.3Act 3, Scene 3
5.4Act 3, Scene 4
5.5Act 3, Scene 5
6Act 4: Plot Summary
6.1Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 1)
6.2Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 2)
6.3Act 4, Scene 2
7Act 5: Plot Summary
7.1Act 5, Scene 1
7.2Act 5, Scene 2
7.3Act 5, Scene 3
7.4Act 5, Scene 4
8Key Themes
9Recap: Main Quotes
9.1Characters Quotes
9.1.1Beatrice
9.1.2Beatrice 2
9.1.3Benedick 1
9.1.4Benedick 2
9.1.5Benedick 3
9.1.6Benedick 4
9.1.7Benedick 5
9.1.8Beatrice & Benedick
9.1.9Beatrice & Benedick 2
9.1.10Beatrice & Benedick 3
9.1.11Claudio
9.1.12Claudio 2
9.1.13Claudio & Benedick
9.1.14Don John
9.1.15Don John 2
9.1.16Don Pedro
9.1.17Hero
9.1.18Leonato
9.1.19Leonato & Messanger
9.2Text Structure - Quotes
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