Summary
English Lit: AQA GCSE Much Ado About Nothing, topic 5.3.1
Act 3, Scene 3
The play begins to descend into tragedy as Borachio boasts that his and Don John’s plan to deceive Claudio and Don Pedro has been successful. He and his fellow henchman Conrad (Conrade) are arrested by the Watch.
Borachio
- Borachio’s name translates as 'drunkard’.
- In this scene, he is literally and metaphorically intoxicated (drunk) following the success of his plan.
- He refers to Don John as “the devil, my master”, illustrating the evil intent behind his deception.
Arrest
- The audience prepares themselves for tragedy as Borachio confirms that “away went Claudio enraged”.
- There is still hope for a harmonious resolution as Borachio is arrested although, structurally, there is little time for the Watch to relay this information to Leonato.
Test yourself on Summary
Which character confirms that “away went Claudio enraged” in Act 3, Scene 3?