Much Ado About Nothing Notes Act 1 = Purple Act 2 = Green Act 3 = Blue Act 4 = Yellow Act 5 = Orange

Act 1 Scene 1 Don Pedro and his army return from war. Leonato invites them to stay for 1 month. Claudio is in love with Hero and wants to marry her. Benedick and Beatrice have a love/hate relationship. They argue and make fun of each other Claudio is too love sick and doesn’t know what to say to ask Hero to marry him. At the masked dance, Don Pedro is going to pretend to be Claudio. He will talk to Hero and get her to fall in love with Claudio so that they can be married.

Act 1 Scene 2 Making plans for the party Antonio tells Leonato that a servant overheard that Don Pedro is in love with Hero and he is going to propose to her at the dance.

Act 1 Scene 3 Don John is sad/jealous of Don Pedro. They just repaired their relationship. Don John wants to cause a conflict with Claudio and Hero. Borachio tells Don John that he overheard Don Pedro and Claudio’s plan.

Act 2 Scene 1 Beatrice and Benedick say that they will never get married. Don Pedro convinces Hero to fall in love with and marry Claudio. Don John tells Claudio, who pretends to be Benedick, that Don Pedro loves Hero and is going to marry her. Claudio is sad/upset by the Don John’s rumor. Benedick is upset by the things that Beatrice said about him while they were dancing together. Don John’s rumor is resolved. Claudio and Hero plan to marry. Don Pedro plans to get Benedick and Beatrice to fall in love and get married.

Act 2 Scene 2 Borachio and Don John plan to ruin Claudio’s wedding. Borachio and Margaret are going to make out. Borachio will call Margaret “Hero”. Don John will get Don Pedro and Claudio will witness the event. Hero will be called a whore and the wedding will be called off.

Act 2 Scene 3 Benedick complains about Claudio since he has fallen in love and says that he will not fall in love until he meets his dream woman. Claudio, Leonato, and Don Pedro talk about Benedick. Benedick eavesdrops (overhears it) Beatrice writes love letters to Benedick, but tears them up. Beatrice cries that she loves Benedick and regrets how she’s treated him. Don Pedro says that he wishes that Beatrice loved him and talks about her good qualities. Beatrice doesn’t want Benedick to know that she loves him, because she’s afraid that he’ll make fun of her. Benedick is surprised Beatrice loves him, feels bad for criticizing her, changes his mind about marriage, and is in love with Beatrice.

Act 3 Scene 1 Beatrice overhears a conversation between Hero and Ursula talking about how Benedick loves Beatrice. Hero says that Beatrice is mean and mocks people too much. Hero is going to advice Benedick to not love Beatrice. Ursula talks about Benedick’s good qualities. Beatrice is mad because people think poorly of her. Beatrice is in love with Benedick.

Act 3 Scene 2 Benedick’s toothache = he’s in love. Don Pedro and Claudio make fun of Benedick’s clothing, hair cut, and wearing perfume. All are signs that he is in love Don John tells Claudio and Don Pedro that Hero is unfaithful.

Act 3 Scene 3 Dogberry tells the watchmen what to do – stop all men, arrest people who are shady, sit quietly, okay to sleep, tell drunks to go home, don’t arrest thieves, and watch Leonato’s house. The watchmen overhear Borachio tell Conrade how Don John paid him to deceive Claudio by making out with Margaret and calling her Hero. The watch arrest Borachio and Conrade.

Act 3 Scene 4 Hero getting ready for wedding. Beatrice feels ill = love sick. She wants to get married.

Act 3 Scene 5 Dogberry tries to tell Leonato about the 2 men that the watch arrested but Dogberry rambles and uses confusing words Leonato is busy. Getting ready for the wedding Dogberry is told to question the 2 men and report findings back to Leonato.

Act 4 Scene 1 At the wedding, Claudio says that he will not marry Hero because she’s not a virgin. Leonato is upset and wants to kill Hero. Hero confused and faints. If Hero is innocent, Leonato threatens to go after people who lied about Hero. Friar’s plan = fake Hero’s death so that her reputation won’t be ruined and people will remember her good qualities. Claudio will feel bad and realize that he loved Hero. Benedick and Beatrice admit to each other that they love each other. Beatrice wants Benedick to kill Claudio. Benedick no. Beatrice prove that you love me. Benedick agrees to make Claudio pay.

Act 4 Scene 2 Borachio and Contrade are questioned before a judge. They say that they are innocent, but the judge finds them guilty, because the events that the watch testified to happened. The men are taken to Leonato’s house. Don John secretly leaves Messina.

Act 5 Scene 1 Leonato upset. He wants Antonio to stop telling him everything will be okay. He wants to make Claudio and Don Pedro pay. Leonato challenges Claudio to a duel. Benedick challenges Claudio to a duel. Dogberry brings Borachio and Conrade to Leonato and Borachio confesses. Claudio’s punishment from Leonato = go to Hero’s tomb, sing a poem to her, Claudio and Don Pedro must tell people that Hero was innocent, and the next day Claudio must marry Hero’s look alike cousin.

Act 5 Scene 2 Benedick is having problems writing a poem for Beatrice. Benedick and Beatrice profess their love for each other. Benedick tells Beatrice that he challenged Claudio to a duel. Ursula tells them to come to Leonato’s house. Hero has been found innocent.

Act 5 Scene 3 Claudio goes to Hero’s tomb, sings his poem, and asks for forgiveness.

Act 5 Scene 4 Benedick asks Leonato for permission to marry Beatrice. Claudio promises to marry Hero’s look alike cousin in front of everyone. Hero’s identity is revealed. In front of everyone, Benedick and Beatrice say that they don’t really love each other, but Claudio and Hero provide poems written by Benedick and Beatrice that prove they love each other. Benedick, Claudio, and everyone are friends again. Don John is caught by soldiers as he fled. Don John’s punishment will be dealt with tomorrow. Everyone celebrates.