Much Ado About Nothing Session 3
Learning Goals To explore how Shakespeare establishes character and setting in Act One Scene One To identify how Shakespeare creates comedy in Act One Scene One
Agree or Disagree? Love at first sight is possible Love is for fools Women should be submissive in relationships If is worse for a women to be unfaithful than a man Arranged marriages are best
The World of Messina
“The Merry War”
Beatrice and Benedick ice-and-benedick-in-much-ado-about-nothinghttp:// ice-and-benedick-in-much-ado-about-nothing
Lines What are your first impressions of Beatrice? She offers a biting critique of Benedick’s character. What aspects of his personality does she critique? How does her language contrast with that of the messenger? How does her use of word play create humour (consider the reaction of the messenger)?
Wordplay
David Tennant and Catherine Tate yhttps:// y
The Merry War Read lines How would you perform this scene? How does Shakespeare create comedy through word play here? Is there a more sinister undertone to the language? How would you describe the relationship?
Claudio v Benedick Read lines How do Claudio and Benedick’s attitudes towards love contrast? Which character do you have most sympathy for and why?
Home Learning How does Shakespeare create comedy in Act One Scene One? Consider: The exchange between Beatrice and the messenger Beatrice and Benedick’s repartee Claudio and Benedick’s contrasting views of love Dramatic irony (structure of play- we know they will fall in love!)