Much Ado About Nothing Act 1 Aim Why

Much Ado About Nothing Act 1 Aim: Why is the opening mood of the play? What do we learn about the characters, setting and situation? Do Now: With your groups, share your analysis of the similarities of Kate and Beatrice’s characters. Lesson: Class Discussion of Character Comparison Activity: Watch Act 1 Scene 1 H. W. : Answer the Act 1 Scene 1 analysis questions (posted on class website) & Please print out the questions…There will be days in class when you will need the questions with you for group analysis of certain scene

Kate & Beatrice Kate Beatrice

As we meet the rest of the characters, think about…. . 1. Is Benedick similar to any other characters from Shakespeare’s plays? 2. Is Claudio similar to any other characters from Shakespeare’s plays? 3. Is Hero similar to any other characters from Shakespeare’s plays? 4. Is Don John similar to any other characters from Shakespeare’s plays? 5. Is Leonato similar to any other characters from Shakespeare’s plays?

Act 1 Scene 1 Analysis 1. Why are Prince Don Pedro, Benedick, Young Claudio, Don John and others at Leonato’s estate? 2. Give one insult from Beatrice to Benedick upon their first meeting. 3. Give one insult from Benedick to Beatrice upon their first meeting. 4. What do we notice about Claudio and Hero? What is something he says about her to Benedick? 5. How does Benedick feel about his young friend wanting to marry? How does Benedick feel about falling in love and marrying himself? What does he say about love and marriage? 6. What does Don Pedro warn Benedick? Pg. 21 7. What will Don Pedro do for young Claudio? Why? Pg. 25 8. Describe the mood at the start of the film/play. Why is this mood present? How is this portrayed in the 1993 Kenneth Branagh film version? Describe the opening. 9. Describe this setting.

Much Ado About Nothing Act 1 (Day 2) Aim: Why is the opening mood of the play? What do we learn about the characters, setting and situation? Do Now: With your groups, share your first impressions of this comedy, the characters, the setting, etc. (5 min) Lesson: Establishing the Mood, the Romance, & the Importance of Language (Battle of Wits & Benedick’s Linguist Cartoons) H. W. : Read Act 1 Scene 3 & Answer the Act 1 Scene 3 analysis questions (posted on class website). Remember to include details from the text and line #s

Establishing the Mood Describe the mood and the setting of the opening. Messina, Itally, Duke’s Estate, a carefree place Beautiful Italian country side, beautiful people, wine, food, poetry, music = THIS IS THE LIFE!!!!! What arouses everyone? The soldiers are coming to stay: Returning from battle Messenger reports they were victorious, hardly lost any men, the ones lost were not important people (line 6 -10) Claudio proved himself an honorable soldier Plan to stay for a month of feasts, parties, friendship Excited, Festive Celebratory Mood Look at the very warm greeting exchanged when the prince arrives (line 94 -100)

Establishing the Mood But notice the tension with Don John In the film he stands apart from everyone In the text we find out that he and the prince have just been reconciled suggests had a bitter relationship in the past (line 153 -154) When Leonato welcomes him, he does not speak in the same flowery, aristocratic language of the others “I am not of many words”

Establishing the Romance What do we notice about Claudio and Hero? What does he say about her? Love at first sight, almost Knew of Hero before the war but his thoughts were on war; now that the war is over, those thoughts are gone and love fills the vacant space (291 -300) = Look at his Language use Romantic Language: jewel (176), sweetest lady that ever I looked on (184), I would scarce trust myself…if Hero would be my wife (191 -192), “That know love’s grief by his complexion” (307 -308) Asks Benedick several times to give an honest & straight forward opinion (160 -174) “Is she a modest young lady? ” “Speak in sober judgement. ” I pray thee, tell me truly how thou like’st her” Benedick hides behind his metaphors…

Establishing the Romance What will Don Pedro do for young Claudio? Why? Don Pedro gives the straight forward answer he needs Claudio: “That I love her I feel. ” (224) Don Pedro: “That she is worthy I know. ” (225) = Deems them a good match (Prince’s Blessing) Don Pedro: “My love is thine to teach. ”(285) Because I love you, tell me how I can help you Claudio is worried that he won’t say the right thing “But lest my liking seem too sudden, I would have it salved with a longer treastise. ” (309 -310) Shows his inexperience with love and wooing Don Pedro will speak with Leonato and “thou shalt have her”(305) Then he will say he is Claudio when in disguise at the masquerade ball, and woo Hero for him (321 -324)

Establishing the Anti-Romance § How does Benedick feel about Claudio wanting to marry & about falling in love himself? § Not impressed by any woman Look at his description of Hero (164 -171) = Not the answer Claudio was looking for § Shocked Claudio would take the risk = Worried that woman are unfaithful, safer to be a bachelor (190 -199) § Thanks a woman for giving birth to him, but cannot trust any (234 -241) = “I will not do them wrong to mistrust any, I will do myself the right to trust none. ” § What does Don Pedro warn Benedick? § “I shall see thee, ere I die look pale with love. ”(242) = A CHALLENGE (foreshadowing)

Establishing Anti-Romance § Benedick responds to the challenge with a series of metaphorical wagers…. § [I will pale] “With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord, not with love. ” (244 -245) § [If I fall in love] “Pick mine eyes out with a ballad-maker’s pen and hang me up at the door of a brothel house for the sign of blind cupid. ”(247 -248) § “If I do, hang me in a bottle like a cat and shoot at me, and he that hits me, let him be clapped on the shoulder. ”(252 -253) § Prince: “In time the savage bull doth bear the yolk. ” = You will be tamed (foreshadowing) § “The savage bull may, but if ever the sensible Benedick bear it, pluck off the bull’s horns and set them on my forehead” = raving mad/cuckold’s horns

Much Ado About Nothing Wrapping Up Act 1 Aim: How is the conflict introduced? Do Now: The Playful Conflict: Beatrice vs. Benedick in a battle of wits Lesson: The Malicious/Villainous Conflict: Don John’s Plot to turn a marriage to mischief Activity: Watch Act 1 Scene 3 H. W. : Consider beginning the Act 2 Analysis Questions…There are 16 questions for Act 2; I wouldn’t save them all for one night

The Battle of Wits Benedick Beatrice § Lady Disdain, are you still alive? ! § Disdain can’t die when she has meat like you to feed her § Courtesy is two-faced then, has no honor § Even courtesy changes to disdain in your presence § All ladies love me except you, but no matter, I don’t love anyone § Happiness to all women that they don’t have to deal with you. § Lucky for men, you would only scratch their face § Although I agree. I never want a man to tell me he loves me. § You are a rare parrot teacher = a rare jabber (compliment? Insult? ) § I wish my horse had the speed of your tongue § You’re so ugly scratching won’t make it worse § A bird like me is better than a beast like you

Your Opinion Which adjectives do you feel best fit Benedick when you first meet him and why? PICK 3 from the list or add your own and explain next to each why you think so. (Cynical? Charming? Whimsical? Stubborn? Arrogant? Bitter? Foolish? Obnoxious? Complicated? Conceited? Boisterous? Afraid? Manly? Far-fetched? Misogynistic? Passionate? Witty? ) 1 What about Beatrice? Choose 3 adjectives from above for her as we first meet her and explain why for each word… At the start of the play, which couple is more likeable: Beatrice-Benedick or Hero-Claudio? Why? (I wonder if you will have the same opinion by the end of the play. ) NOTE: As we get to know Hero & Beatrice better, we will add more to your responses for question #7.

Recapping Scene 1 Why does Benedict hide behind his wit and figurative language? How is he similar to Claudio? What challenge does Don Pedro deliver to Benedick and how does Benedick respond? What does he wager? How is Don Pedro going to help Claudio?

Act 1. 2: The 1 st Bit of Misinformation One theme = Appearances can be deceiving Must of the deception in this play begins with misinformation The 1 st piece of misinformation comes from a totally innocent misunderstanding Leonato’s brother gives Leonato a misinterpreted account of Claudio & Don Pedro’s conversation Makes Leonato think the prince wants to marry Hero Leonato will tell his daughter that if the prince wants to marry her, she should do it. The irony is, Claudio is the one that is her suitor even though the Prince is the one wooing her. Don John’s planned deception is anything but innocent…

Analyzing the Villain How does he label himself? “I cannot hide what I am”(12 -13) “I am a plain-dealing villain”(30) Explain his lines: "I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace, and it better fits my blood to be disdained of all" "If I had my mouth, I would bite; if I had my liberty, I would do my liking. In the meantime let me be that I am, and seek not to alter me. " Why does he say this? What is his qualm? (19 -22) Learn that he was literally at war with his brother & that Don John started it (still don’t know why) Lost to Don Pedro, but the prince forgave him Is he too serious of a villain for a comedy?

A Model for Mischief What is mischief that Don John wants to cause? “I make all use of it [my discontent], for I use it only. ”(37) = Everything he does is based on hate Borachio reveals Don Pedro’s plan to help Claudio woo Hero (56 -60) Don John will use this info as a “model to build mischief, ”(44) He will use the wedding as food for his hate = “This may prove food for my displeasure. ”(64) Where are he an his minions (Borachio & Conrade headed at the end of the scene? NOTE: We will talk about the symbolism of the names tomorrow before watching Act 2