Much Ado About Nothing Summary Act 5 1

Much Ado About Nothing Summary

Act 5. 1 l Leonato and Antonio threaten Don Pedro and Claudio l Benedick tells Don Pedro he can no longer be in his service after challenging Claudio to a duel l Dogberry and Verges bring the guilty party to see Leonato l The truth is revealed that Borachio and Don John slandered Hero’s name; she is innocent and Borachio feels great remorse for what he has done

Act 5. 1 cont. l Leonato not only blames Borachio but Don Pedro and Claudio for this death as well; Claudio has to pay for his actions l Leonato gives him 3 deeds to fulfill: marry his niece, lay at her grave a poem honoring her and publicly apologize

Act 5. 2 l Mourning procession; Claudio weeps at Hero’s grave, puts the poem up for all to see, and publicly apologizes

Act 5. 3 l Benedick and Beatrice court each other and continue to declare their love for each other (and to be smart with each other) l They think no one else is aware of their feelings for each other l Ursula comes to tell them the good news that Hero is innocent and Don John is the guilty party

Act 5. 4 l. A second wedding takes place l Benedick asks the Friar if he can perform another marriage (between him and Beatrice) l Claudio is to marry Leonato’s “niece” but instead it is Hero (yay!)

Act 5. 4 cont. l All is well, but of course Benedick wants to speak with Beatrice l Does she love him? No, she does not… l But, love notes by them to the other proves they do love each other; they finally admit publicly they love each other

Act 5. 4 cont. l Everyone is happy and has made up, but Don Pedro. Benendick advises him to “get thee a wife” l Don John is arrested and will be dealt with later; he ain’t talking! l Everyone lives happily ever after!