Summary
English Lit: AQA GCSE Much Ado About Nothing, topic 4.3.1
Act 2, Scene 3
In contrast to his half-brother’s malevolent (evil) plot, Don Pedro tricks Benedick into falling in love with Beatrice, aided by Claudio and Leonato.
Opening soliloquy
- The scene begins with a soliloquy from Benedick.
- He is disappointed in the changes he sees in Claudio since he fell in love.
- However, unlike the “profess’d tyrant to their sex” of Act 1, Benedick appears more open to the possibility of falling in love himself.
- This creates dramatic irony for the audience as we know what Don Pedro is planning.
Comic scene
- This is a largely comic scene as Benedick attempts to hide and eavesdrop on the conversation between Don Pedro, Claudio and Leonato.
- All the way through the scene, they are fully aware of where he is - as are the audience.
- It is almost as if we are involved in the deception.
Eavesdropping
- Benedick learns how the others have ‘learnt’ of Beatrice’s love for him via Hero.
- This helps convince him that what they have discussed is genuine, as does the fact that Leonato is involved.
- Part of trick involves criticising Benedick and his proud nature.
- They will not tell him of Beatrice’s ‘love’ for fear he will make fun of her.
Blank verse
- As intended, Benedick responds as intended to the “bait” and resolves to be “horribly in love” with Beatrice.
- When she is sent to call him into dinner, he addresses her much more politely as “Fair Beatrice”, in contrast to “Lady Disdain.”
- He also greets her in blank verse rather than prose.
Ending soliloquy
- In a humorous attempt to save face (embarrassment) Benedick in another soliloquy at the end of the scene states that the reason he swore to be a bachelor was that “I did not think I should live till I were married.”
- He accepts his friends will likely make fun of him for his change in attitude towards love, as they do in Act 3, Scene 2.
Test yourself on Summary
Events of Act 2, Scene 3
In his final soliloquy, what reason does Benedick give for swearing to be a bachelor?
Why do Don Pedro, Claudio and Leonato pretend that they will not tell Benedick of Beatrice's 'love' for him?
What is the purpose of Benedick's opening soliloquy in Act 2, Scene 3?