Summary

English Lit: AQA GCSE Much Ado About Nothing, topic 4.1.1

Act 2, Scene 1: Claudio and Hero

This lengthy scene is centred around the key theme of deception and appearances as it is set during a ball masque or masked ball. Some characters are unaware of who they are speaking to. Others pretend to be someone else.

Act 2 (rising action)

At a masked ball, Don Pedro and Don John’s deceptive plots are put into action.
Despite Don John’s best efforts, Claudio and Hero are to marry in a week’s time.
In the meantime, Don Pedro hatches another plot to trick Benedick and Beatrice into falling in love.

Act 2, Scene 1

The scene begins with a Leonato, Antonio, Beatrice and Hero discussing Don John, whom the audience now know has revealed himself as the play’s villain.
Beatrice's distrust of him illustrates her insightful character.

Blank verse

The revels begin and Don Pedro begins his wooing of Hero.
As with much of the dialogue in scenes featuring Hero, blank verse is utilised here to highlight the formal, traditional approach to love and romance.

Benedick and Beatrice

Benedick and Beatrice again insult one another, seemingly unaware they are talking to each other.
This time, Beatrice has the advantage, describing Benedick as “the prince’s jester; a very dull fool.”

Deception

Don John deceives Claudio into thinking Don Pedro has wooed Hero for himself.
In having Claudio react in the way he does (“beauty is a witch”), Shakespeare is preparing the audience for the second time he is tricked by Don John and Borachio, and when he will publicly denounce (reject) Hero on their wedding day.

Act 2, Scene 1: Benedick and Beatrice

Benedick's diatribe

Don Pedro talks with Benedick, who launches into a diatribe (extended speech expressing feelings of anger) against Beatrice.
Again, the audience are given a hint that there may be more to the “merry war of words” than there initially appeared to be.

Beatrice's feelings

This is further supported when, after he has resolved Claudio’s confusion, Beatrice tells Don Pedro that Benedick once won her heart “with false dice.”

Don Pedro's plan

Don Pedro realises that Beatrice and Benedick are well-suited and requests the help of Claudio, Leonato and Hero in undertaking “one of Hercules’ labours” to make them fall “into a mountain of affection” with each other.

Hercules’ labours

Hercules’ labours were twelve impossible tasks, which he successfully managed to complete.
This could be viewed as subtle foreshadowing of the climax to the play’s subplot.
The use of natural imagery implies that, despite being borne of deception, the love between Benedick and Beatrice will be strong and deep.

Test yourself on Summary

Which character says “beauty is a witch” in Act 2, Scene 1?
Where is Act 2, Scene 1 set?

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