Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/much-ado-about-nothing/5-2-1-summary

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# Summary

English Lit: AQA GCSE Much Ado About Nothing, topic 5.2.1

## Act 3, Scene 2

The two deceptions come together and the male characters tease Benedick for his change in character since falling in love with Beatrice. The mood changes sharply as Don John arrives with some __“ill news”__ for Claudio.

### Benedick's change

![Benedick's change](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/99f7c2b1-6ee2-4c52-8857-b028dd249ff5/shutterstock_402559162.jpg)

- The audience can clearly see that the plot to trick Benedick has successfully worked as Leonato, Claudio and Don Pedro note how he now wears scented fragrances and takes greater care in his appearance. 
- In some productions of the play, Benedick has had a shave in response to Beatrice’s earlier remark that she could not ensure a husband with a beard.

### Benedick's absence

![Benedick's absence](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/df357add-708f-45c9-8be1-2b3807d41145/Comedy-Laughing-Laughter-Man-Chuckle.jpg)

- Unable to stand the mockery any further, Benedick leaves with Leonato. 
- This serves the dramatic function of ensuring Benedick is not on stage when Don John arrives claiming he has proof of Hero’s unfaithfulness. 
- If Benedick were present, it is unlikely that the plot would be as successful. 
- This idea is supported by Benedick being the one who will plan Don John’s punishment at the end of the play.

### Claudio is fooled

![Claudio is fooled](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/biology/3.3.1%20-%20Plant%20diseases/poison-1481596_640-min.jpg)

- This is the second time that Don John has fooled (or will fool) Claudio in the play. 
- This prepares the audience for his treatment of Hero at the wedding in Act 4. 
- Whilst his language is still in the conditional tense __“If I should see anything…”__ Don John’s poison has taken hold and the audience anticipates the worst as both he and Don Pedro vow to publicly shame Hero once they have ‘proof’.

### Hidden scene

![Hidden scene](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/3c830fdc-397c-4228-8a55-8761378d42dc/window-two-copies.jpg)

- It is important to note that the scene involving Margaret and Borachio is never shown on stage. 
- The audience only hears of Claudio’s reaction from Borachio in the next scene. 
- This accentuates (increases) the innocence of Hero’s character.

## Test yourself on Summary

- Which character is importantly not on stage when Don John arrives claiming he has proof of Hero’s unfaithfulness?
- In Act 3, Scene 2 who says __“If I should see anything…”__?
- Events of Act 3, Scene 2
- Why does Benedick leave the stage in Act 3, Scene 2?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/be0e71b0-7b1f-4788-975c-75acc073d9ad/section/f2e8fe63-76e5-4019-8eb0-8440b36b6574/session)

- Previous topic: [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)
- Next topic: [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)

## 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)