Leonato & Messanger
English Lit: AQA GCSE Much Ado About Nothing, topic 9.1.19
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
- LEONATO: How many gentlemen have you lost in this action?
- MESSENGER: But few of any sort and none of name
Typical peace
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.