Noting

“By noting the lady, I have marked a thousand blushing apparitions”

By observing closely, the Friar has believed Hero, in her few word of innocence. This takes place at 4 scene 1, slightly after the wedding and after Claudio has shamed her. This is an example of noting – by him observing closely he has seen the truth behind all the lies, and ironically all the miss-noting.

“I noted her not, but I looked on her”

This is an example of not trying to note, for the reason because he may not want to. He doesn’t want to note her because he doesn’t think she’s worthy of his attention. He looks at her beauty not her personality, whereas Claudio is noting her in all ways possible which Benedick cannot comprehend. He has looked on her, but not wishing to carefully take the time/bother, signifying how he looks on all women in general.

“Where I should wed her, I should shame her”

This is a example of miss-noting, and the outcomes of it. He has seen ‘someone’ committing adultery as assumes that it is Hero on the basis of Don John confession. Claudio never actually see’s Hero committing her crime therefore this shows miss-noting. This is the ripple effect of miss-noting and it leads to many other effects, which all stem from miss- noting, hence much ado about nothing because nothing has really happened.

“the price discovered to Claudio that he loves my niece, you daughter”

This is also an example of mis-noting which also has a ripple effect on events. As this happened, it made Leonato make partial plans as well as set him on the wrong path. This also links to much ado about nothing because it was all a miss-understanding and caused a big commotion.

“what fire in my ears? Can this be true”

Beatrice is miss-noting, she overhears hero and Ursula talking about Benedick but she believes them which is miss-noting and not understanding the situation. Although this did lead to a misunderstanding, it was not a bad one, it merely brought the two together, it showed their hidden love deep inside.

“Tis certain so; the prince wooes for himself”

Another example of mis-noting is shown here, when Don John and Borachio tell Claudio that Don Pedro intends to ‘woo’ Hero for himself. Claudio, believing the lie and therefore mis- noting by not fully assessing the situation with enough detail, bids Hero farewell. This scene takes place in Act II Scene I.

“I came yonder from a great supper: the prince your brother is royally entertained by Leonato: and I can give you intelligence of an intended marriage.”

A clear example of noting is present at the near beginning of the play in Act I Scene III; after Borachio overhears a conversation between Don Pedro and Don John. This conversation is about Claudio’s wish/intention to marry Hero. Borachio notes this and reports back to Claudio.

“They have the truth of this from Hero. They seem to pity the lady: it seems her affections have their full bent. Love me!”

Yet another example of mis-noting, here conducted by Benedick in Act II Scene III. Benedick overhears the staged conversation between Leonato, Don Pedro and Claudio; Benedick let’s his emotions get the better of him, and instead of taking the time to properly note the conversation, he believes it to be true.

“Note this before my notes: There's not a note of mine that's worth the noting.”

While referring to singing, instead of observing, in this context notes are musical notes. Balthasar tells to Don Pedro to note (observe) only his music and only to pay attention to that which is worth observing closely.

“She were an excellent wife for Benedick”

An example of noting in Act II scene I, Don Pedro sees something between Beatrice and Benedick and decides to play Cupid one more time. It demonstrates Don Pedro’s ability to note closely for love.