1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read, and explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose (based on your well-informed interpretation of same).
Ahem, there is no “briefly” when it comes to Shakespeare. Much Ado About Nothing is a romantic comedy that is set in Sicily. It begins with a group of soldiers who are coming home from a battle they have just won. This group is led by Don Pedro the Prince of Arragon and among his noble friends are a young Claudio and Signior Benedick, both two of his closest friends, Borachio, Conrade, a couple other soldiers and Don Pedro's bastard brother Don John (he turns out to be a nasty piece of work later on, but for now, let's continue). They are all coming home to visit Pedro's old friend Leonato who welcomes them and invites them to stay at his house for a month. When the soldiers first arrive at the house is when 3 major things happen and it will be helpful to note them. The first is the meeting between Hero, Leonato's daughter, and Claudio. They had met once before, but Claudio confesses, "I looked upon her with a soldiers eye, that liked but had a rougher task at hand than to drive liking to the name of love: But now I am return'd, and that war-thoughts have left their places vacant, in their rooms come thronging soft and delicate desires, all prompting how fair young Hero is, saying I liked her ere I went to wars." (pg. 6) We see their love grow as the play goes on. The second thing to notice is the relationship between Beatrice, Leonato's niece and cousin to Hero, and Signior Benedick, which is the opposite of Hero and Claudio's relationship and in turn a lot more hilarious. All they do is spew insults at each other. Having a battle of wits whenever they meet. Well, soon Claudio is professing his love for Hero to Don Pedro and Benedick. Benedick only laughs and says he will never be married, but Pedro offers to help Claudio get Hero for a wife. He says he will disguise himself as Claudio at the party that’s happening that night. Pedro will woo her, profess his/Claudio’s love and get her father to agree to the match. Everyone is so happy to be together that they throw an evening party where everyone is wearing a disguise. Pedro breaks with Hero’s father, BUT Don John tells Claudio that Pedro means to woo her for himself! A lie, obviously, however Claudio believes him and when Beatrice fetches him to go meet Hero, he won’t come because he’s sour. She finally gets him to go and Pedro swears he did not woo Hero for himself, then Claudio is like, “Cool,” and the party is a merry happenstance indeed all the way through the night. Now we see the focus shift from the cute couple to Beatrice and Benedick. People know that they like each other, but they are both too proud to say so and so they come up with a plan. Claudio, Hero, Pedro, Leonato, and Ursula decide to play cupid as they will go to one of the two and “gossip” about how the other loves the other. For example, Pedro, Claudio, and Leonato make Benedick think they can’t see him and they talk to each other about how much Beatrice loves Benedick and visa-versa, they even go so far as to say she feels like killing herself because she is too proud to confess her love to Benedick. This part is really funny because both Beatrice and Ben BELIEVE what they have heard and because of this, fall even more in love with each other. The trap of love worked. Next it is the night before Hero and Claudio’s wedding, when Don John makes up some mischief again. He tricks Claudio and Pedro into believing Hero is not a maid. Enraged, Claudio explodes on her in the morning at the wedding, disgracing her in front of all the wedding guests. The Friar comes up with a plan and says that until Hero’s name can be cleared, say that she is dead. This is make Claudio feel remorse and if she turns out to be a virgin then he will want her back even more. So it goes. In the end her name is cleared and they bring her “back from the dead.” Claudio and Hero are married and Beatrice and Benedick are as well. A rare Shakespearean happy ending.
2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.
I think that a major theme in this play is check your facts before you act. There seriously was so much ado over NOTHING because one person (Don John) told a couple lies and the next thing you know Claudio is screaming at Hero because he thinks she's a whore! There was also the theme of fidelity to one's spouse. Claudio reacted to forcefully against Hero on the day of their wedding that it shows you how serious an offense it was to have sex before marriage, even Hero's father, who had been such a loving man through out the whole play was about ready to kill her. 3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).
The tone is very comical and happy, mainly because all the characters are glad to each other, at least in the beginning. For example, Leonato says to Don Pedro, "Never came trouble to my house in the likeness of your grace, but when you depart from me, sorrow abides, and happiness takes his leave." (pg3) There is irony here because she actually finds a husband! Then we read the antagonist's parts and here the tone is changed to show us the mischief that is ensuing. For example, Don John says, “I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace.” pg. 8 (speaking of Pedro) In the end however, when everything is set right, Benedick remarks, “Come! We are friends, let’s have a dance ere we are married!” (pg. 42) Showing the reader how joyful everyone is.
4. Describe a minimum of ten literary elements/techniques you observed that strengthened your understanding of the author's purpose, the text's theme and/or your sense of the tone. For each, please include textual support to help illustrate the point for your readers. (Please include edition and page numbers for easy reference.)
Foreshadowing: The wise Don Pedro said this to Benedick after they had first arrive at Leonato’s house, “In time the savage bull doth bear the yoke.” (pg. 5) Telling the reader that sooner or later Benedick will fall in love.
Metaphor: Beatrice expresses her feelings about marriage by saying, "Would it not grieve a woman to be overmastered with a piece of valiant dust?" She is comparing men to “valiant dust.” (pg. 9)
Pun: Benedick, whilst arguing with Beatrice says, "What my dear Lady Disdain!” (pg. 3) calling her a lady of contempt.
Amplification: Shakespeare amplifies John’s contempt for his brother in Act I scene I when he says, “If I can cross him any way, I bless myself every way.” (pg. 8)
Foil: Don John (a mischievous, conniving lier) is a foil to Don Pedro (a noble, trustworthy gentleman)
Rhyme Scheme: The song that Balthazar sings in Leonato’s garden reads, “sigh no more ladies, sigh no more, me were deceivers ever, one foot at sea and one on shore, to one thing constant never.” (pg. 17)
Aphorism: “A man loves the meat in his youth that he can not endure in his age.” (pg. 20) This wise statement was given by Benedick in regards.. again to marriage.
Characterization: The characterization of Hero is built up as the story progresses. We see how sweet and courteous she is and how much love she has to give, but then Claudio rips her good reputation from her. However, because of her good character she has many people surrounding her that don’t believe the accusations made against her.
Diction: “Use it for my love some other way than swearing by it.” (pg. 33) The words that Shakespeare picks flow together beautifully, even his simple sentences, like this one are arranged effortlessly.
Allusion: “You seem to me as Dian in her orb.” (pg. 30) Claudio references to the Roman goddess of chastity.
CHARACTERIZATION
1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization. Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?
Well, I can only answer the indirect characterization because it's a Shakespeare play and Will didn't exactly pop in now and then to say, "Hey er'body! Beatrice has purple hair and loves to say too-da-loo whenever she sees Benedick!" No, he didn't, but the characterization that he did use to help us form an opinion on the different character personalities were everywhere. An example of indirect characterization is when Benedick says, “With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord, but not with love." (pg5) Shakespeare is indirectly showing us how stubborn Ben can be at times, especially when it comes to idea of marriage. Likewise Beatrice says, "He that hath a beard is more than a youth; and he that hath no beard is less than a man: and he that is more than a youth is not for me, and he that is less than a man, I am not for him." (pg. 9) This shows how wise, but also cantankerous she can be.
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? Example(s)?
Yes, incredibly, for example when Shakespeare writes dialogue for Don Pedro it is a lot more composed and to the point than Dogberry, the foolish ass. Dogberry goes off on many tangents where as Don Pedro's words are very affirmative and noble. Here Shakespeare is showing us the obvious differences between the lords and the peasant's speech.
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.
I think that Beatrice and Benedick are dynamic characters because both of their ideals about love are changed by the end of the play. They learn to accept each other and not be so sneering all the time. Even though the “merry war” is one of the funniest elements of the play, both characters change their opinions on why marriage is a good idea.
4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character? Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.
You know it's funny, but whenever I read a Shakespeare play I can feel the character's sincerity, but I can never believe they are real. The only time I can truly trick myself into thinking he created an actual person is when he writes the dialogue of commoners and peasants. I say this because Shakespeare really knew what it meant to be human, he could write characters that have the same feelings we feel every day, but I can never believe they are actual people because of the way he writes. No one talks that way anymore. His phrases are so far removed from our everyday life that people think he's talking gibberish. However, when Shakespeare gives breath to commoners, you can feel their humanity... they're more like us. For example, when Dogberry tries to tell Don Pedro what Borachio and Conrade have done he rambles. I ramble! Everyone rambles! Dogberry is a silly git as am I given some time and a crayon! And when he says these lines, I believed he could've been standing right next to me saying these words:
"Marry, sir, they have committed false report; moreover,
they have spoken untruths; secondarily, they are slanders;
sixth and lastly, they have belied a lady; thirdly, they have
verified unjust things; and, to conclude... they are lying
knaves." (pg. 41)
It just seemed so real and it was as if I wanted to be friends with this guy because he's funny, weird, and most of all human. Many times I'll read Shakespeare and like the idea of nobles that use beautiful words to express their feelings, but sometimes, I just like the weirdos.
