Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/3-1-2-key-lines

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# Key Lines

English Lit: AQA GCSE Much Ado About Nothing, topic 3.1.2

## 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](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/076dd93c-38c1-4784-899c-c6bad1adfb52/talking-.png)

- __LEONATO: How many gentlemen have you lost in this action?__
- __MESSENGER: But few of any sort and none of name__

### Typical peace

![Typical peace](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/728aef45-e19f-429f-9708-23b368e3a4e5/shutterstock_441541999.jpg)

- _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](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/d599e28d-9fdd-44c2-92a2-0b1e2cf75648/Tradgedy-Comedy-Drama-Masks-Funny-Crying.jpg)

- 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](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/bb23fe27-9074-4f19-9c25-ef203e9f8132/tie-suit-job-work-.jpg)

- 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](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/224030c5-1ff7-40fc-915c-e63504482dc7/shrug-woman-.png)

- 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.

## Beatrice and Benedick

The early __“skirmish of wits”__ shows how well suited Beatrice and Benedick are, while also illustrating the complex feelings both have for the other.

### Key lines

![Key lines](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-05/e689efde-550b-4da7-965f-afa2f40cabdc/writing-paper-pen-.png)

- __BEATRICE: I pray you is Signor Montanto return’d from the wars or no?__
- __BEATRICE: I wonder you still be talking Signor Benedick. Nobody marks you.__
- __BENEDICK: What, my dear Lady Disdain. Are you yet living?__

### Gender imbalance

![Gender imbalance](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/6d7d6171-c5e0-4dd4-bb98-aea93cd232f2/gender-312411_1280.png)

- Beatrice’s first line in the play establishes her as an outspoken and - in a modern context - feminist character. 
- __“Montanto”__ is an insulting term, alluding to the fact that Benedick has had several sexual partners. 
- This highlights the imbalance in society’s attitude at the time: if the same were true for a woman of a similar class, she is denounced as a prostitute, just as Hero is later in the play.

### Formality

![Formality](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-08/ba5308fd-0d6a-4c8d-b0b6-94db9157ab56/hand-shake-handshake-.jpg)

- Significantly, when Benedick arrives with the others, Beatrice refers to him in a more formal manner, with his title __“Signor Benedick”__ whilst he is able to insult her with the derogatory address term __“Lady Disdain.”__
- The rules of society are shown to be different for men and women.

### Rules of society

![Rules of society](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/ceef0317-0275-4ff2-9074-a6e03a3199b2/unequal-balance-.jpg)

- The rules of society are shown to be different for men and women: it is perfectly acceptable for Benedick as a man to insult Beatrice to her face, whereas Beatrice - whilst still mocking Benedick as __“nobody marks you”__ illustrates - is not able to do so on equal terms; she can only adopt the exact same method as Benedick when he is not present.

### Structure

![Structure](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/c34f7639-27f0-4868-ba98-7d6c246f0dd1/couple-argue-divorce.jpg)

- The structure of Benedick and Beatrice’s opening barbs (insults) towards each other. 
- Both initially begin cordially (politely): __“Signor Benedick” / “my dear Lady”__ before adding the insult __“nobody marks you” / “Disdain (scorn). Are you yet living?”__.

### Juxtaposition

![Juxtaposition](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/55f411fd-1ee4-4ca0-86c5-1d13a261e2b9/shutterstock_1009461196.jpg)

- The juxtaposition illustrates the complex feelings both have for the other whilst also again relating to the prominent theme of noting - not all is as it may first appear between Benedick and Beatrice. 
- Again, the fact that their language is so similar to one another’s is an early indication from Shakespeare to his audience of how well matched these two characters are.

## Test yourself on Key Lines

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/be0e71b0-7b1f-4788-975c-75acc073d9ad/section/90cea909-1bf8-4221-918f-cf7b8ba5d76c/session)

- Previous topic: [3.1.1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/3-1-1-summary.md)
- Next topic: [3.1.3 Key Lines 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/3-1-3-key-lines-2.md)

## English Lit: AQA GCSE Much Ado About Nothing contents

### 1 Key Terminology
- 1.1 Key Terminology
  - [1.1.1 Key Terminology](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/1-1-1-key-terminology.md)
  - [1.1.2 End of Topic Test - Key Terminology](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/1-1-2-end-of-topic-test-key-terminology.md)

### 2 Structure & Form
- 2.1 Structure
  - [2.1.1 Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/2-1-1-structure.md)
  - [2.1.2 Acts 1 - 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/2-1-2-acts-1-3.md)
  - [2.1.3 Acts 4 - 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/2-1-3-acts-4-5.md)
- 2.2 Form
  - [2.2.1 Tragicomedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/2-2-1-tragicomedy.md)
  - [2.2.2 End of Topic Test - Structure & Form](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/2-2-2-end-of-topic-test-structure-and-form.md)

### 3 Act 1: Plot Summary
- 3.1 Act 1, Scene 1
  - [3.1.1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/3-1-1-summary.md)
  - [3.1.2 Key Lines](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/3-1-2-key-lines.md)
  - [3.1.3 Key Lines 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/3-1-3-key-lines-2.md)
  - [3.1.4 End of Topic Test - Act 1, Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/3-1-4-end-of-topic-test-act-1-scene-1.md)
- 3.2 Act 1, Scene 2
  - [3.2.1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/3-2-1-summary.md)
  - [3.2.2 Key Lines](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/3-2-2-key-lines.md)
- 3.3 Act 1, Scene 3
  - [3.3.1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/3-3-1-summary.md)
  - [3.3.2 Key Lines](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/3-3-2-key-lines.md)
  - [3.3.3 End of Topic Test - Act 1, Scenes 2-3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/3-3-3-end-of-topic-test-act-1-scenes-2-3.md)

### 4 Act 2: Plot Summary
- 4.1 Act 2, Scene 1
  - [4.1.1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/4-1-1-summary.md)
  - [4.1.2 Key Lines](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/4-1-2-key-lines.md)
  - [4.1.3 Key Lines 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/4-1-3-key-lines-2.md)
  - [4.1.4 Key Lines 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/4-1-4-key-lines-3.md)
  - [4.1.5 End of Topic Test - Act 2, Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/4-1-5-end-of-topic-test-act-2-scene-1.md)
- 4.2 Act 2, Scene 2
  - [4.2.1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/4-2-1-summary.md)
- 4.3 Act 2, Scene 3
  - [4.3.1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/4-3-1-summary.md)
  - [4.3.2 Key Lines](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/4-3-2-key-lines.md)
  - [4.3.3 Key Lines 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/4-3-3-key-lines-2.md)
  - [4.3.4 End of Topic Test - Act 2, Scenes 2-3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/4-3-4-end-of-topic-test-act-2-scenes-2-3.md)

### 5 Act 3: Plot Summary
- 5.1 Act 3, Scene 1
  - [5.1.1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/5-1-1-summary.md)
  - [5.1.2 Key Lines](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/5-1-2-key-lines.md)
- 5.2 Act 3, Scene 2
  - [5.2.1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/5-2-1-summary.md)
  - [5.2.2 Key Lines](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/5-2-2-key-lines.md)
- 5.3 Act 3, Scene 3
  - [5.3.1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/5-3-1-summary.md)
- 5.4 Act 3, Scene 4
  - [5.4.1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/5-4-1-summary.md)
- 5.5 Act 3, Scene 5
  - [5.5.1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/5-5-1-summary.md)
  - [5.5.2 End of Topic Test - Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/5-5-2-end-of-topic-test-act-3.md)

### 6 Act 4: Plot Summary
- 6.1 Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 1)
  - [6.1.1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/6-1-1-summary.md)
  - [6.1.2 Key Lines](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/6-1-2-key-lines.md)
  - [6.1.3 Key Lines 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/6-1-3-key-lines-2.md)
- 6.2 Act 4, Scene 1 (Part 2)
  - [6.2.1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/6-2-1-summary.md)
  - [6.2.2 Key Lines](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/6-2-2-key-lines.md)
  - [6.2.3 Key Lines 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/6-2-3-key-lines-2.md)
- 6.3 Act 4, Scene 2
  - [6.3.1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/6-3-1-summary.md)
  - [6.3.2 End of Topic Test - Act 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/6-3-2-end-of-topic-test-act-4.md)

### 7 Act 5: Plot Summary
- 7.1 Act 5, Scene 1
  - [7.1.1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/7-1-1-summary.md)
- 7.2 Act 5, Scene 2
  - [7.2.1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/7-2-1-summary.md)
  - [7.2.2 Key Lines](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/7-2-2-key-lines.md)
- 7.3 Act 5, Scene 3
  - [7.3.1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/7-3-1-summary.md)
- 7.4 Act 5, Scene 4
  - [7.4.1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/7-4-1-summary.md)
  - [7.4.2 End of Topic Test - Act 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/7-4-2-end-of-topic-test-act-5.md)

### 8 Key Themes
- 8.1 Key Themes
  - [8.1.1 Love & Marriage](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/8-1-1-love-and-marriage.md)
  - [8.1.2 Deception, Appearances & Noting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/8-1-2-deception-appearances-and-noting.md)
  - [8.1.3 Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/8-1-3-gender.md)
  - [8.1.4 Reputation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/8-1-4-reputation.md)
  - [8.1.5 End of Topic Test - Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/8-1-5-end-of-topic-test-key-themes.md)

### 9 Recap: Main Quotes
- 9.1 Characters Quotes
  - [9.1.1 Beatrice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-1-1-beatrice.md)
  - [9.1.2 Beatrice 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-1-2-beatrice-2.md)
  - [9.1.3 Benedick 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-1-3-benedick-1.md)
  - [9.1.4 Benedick 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-1-4-benedick-2.md)
  - [9.1.5 Benedick 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-1-5-benedick-3.md)
  - [9.1.6 Benedick 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-1-6-benedick-4.md)
  - [9.1.7 Benedick 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-1-7-benedick-5.md)
  - [9.1.8 Beatrice & Benedick](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-1-8-beatrice-and-benedick.md)
  - [9.1.9 Beatrice & Benedick 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-1-9-beatrice-and-benedick-2.md)
  - [9.1.10 Beatrice & Benedick 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-1-10-beatrice-and-benedick-3.md)
  - [9.1.11 Claudio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-1-11-claudio.md)
  - [9.1.12 Claudio 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-1-12-claudio-2.md)
  - [9.1.13 Claudio & Benedick](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-1-13-claudio-and-benedick.md)
  - [9.1.14 Don John](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-1-14-don-john.md)
  - [9.1.15 Don John 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-1-15-don-john-2.md)
  - [9.1.16 Don Pedro](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-1-16-don-pedro.md)
  - [9.1.17 Hero](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-1-17-hero.md)
  - [9.1.18 Leonato](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-1-18-leonato.md)
  - [9.1.19 Leonato & Messanger](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-1-19-leonato-and-messanger.md)
- 9.2 Text Structure - Quotes
  - [9.2.1 Deception, Appearances & Noting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-2-1-deception-appearances-and-noting.md)
  - [9.2.2 Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-2-2-gender.md)
  - [9.2.3 Reputation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/9-2-3-reputation.md)