{ Much Ado About Nothing A Brief Overview

 Born in 1564  Married Anne Hathaway 1582, had 3 children  1590, left his family behind to travel to London to be an actor and playwright  Part owner of the Globe Theater  Part of The Kings’ Men: company of actors who performed for the king  Died in 1616 on his birthday Key Facts about Shakespeare

Shakespearean Theater Conventions  Originally, plays were performed in taverns and inn yards that eventually developed into outdoor stages and finally into theaters  Plays were performed in the early afternoon. A flag would be raised atop the theater to let the public know there would be a performance that day.

Shakespearean Theater Conventions  “Groundlings”- those closest to the stage- paid a penny. They could also purchase food to throw at the actors during the performance.  If one wanted to sit, it would cost 2 pennies. If one wanted a cushion for that seat, it would cost 3 pennies.

 Money that was collected was kept in box that was then kept in a guarded office….hence Box Office  Shakespeare was part owner of The Globe, and several of his plays were performed there. Shakespearean Theater Conventions

 Unfortunately, in 1613, it caught fire when a cannon malfunctioned during a play. Burned to the ground as a result. It was rebuilt the next year.  The Puritans closed the Globe in 1642 and razed it in  Currently, there is a replica theater in London. Shakespearean Theater Conventions

The Facts  Location: Messina, Sicily  Population: Very small  Governor: Leonato  Date written:  Genre: Romantic comedy  Mood: Light and silly

About the Play…  Genre: Comedy  Written in 1598, published in 1600  Setting: 16 th Century, Italy  Themes:  Deception  Importance of Honor  “Noting”  Listening, observing, writing or noting

 Don Pedro, prince of Aragon, leads the soldiers of Messina back from a victorious battle and is welcomed by Leonato, governor of Messina. Don Pedro has recently rekindled his relationship with his illegitimate brother, Don John

Don Pedro (Prince) (half brothers) Don John  (grouch) Gov. Leonato

 Benedick, a soldier, reunites with his verbal sparring partner, Gov. Leonato ’ s niece, Beatrice. Benedick and Beatrice pummel each other with insults. Beatrice thinks men are idiots and Benedick swears to remain a bachelor all his life.

Gov. Leonato  Beatrice (niece)  Benedick Don Pedro (Prince) (half brothers) Don John  (grouch)

 Another soldier, young Claudio, is in love with Gov. Leonatos daughter, Hero. Don Pedro offers to pretend to be Claudio and sweet talk Hero for him at a costume party.  Don John gets word of this and then tells Claudio that Don Pedro plans to woo Hero for himself. It works out though, and Hero and Claudio plan to get married in a week.

Don Pedro (brothers) Don John  Gov. Leonato  Hero (daughter) Beatrice (niece) <3  Claudio Benedick

 Prince Pedro decides to try to make Benedick and Beatrice fall in love. After spreading rumors that the two overhear, he succeeds.

Don Pedro (brothers) Don John  Gov. Leonato  Hero (daughter) Beatrice (niece) <3   <3 Claudio Benedick

 Don John decides to ruin Claudio and Hero’s wedding just for kicks. His buddy, Borachio, is “ seeing ” Hero’s servant, Margaret, who happens to look a lot like Hero.  Don Pedro & Claudio see Borachio with Margaret and Don John makes them believe it was Hero.

Don Pedro (brothers) Don John  Borachio  + Margaret Gov. Leonato  Hero (daughter) Beatrice (niece) <3   <3 Claudio Benedick

 At the wedding Claudio accuses Hero of cheating on him and storms off. Hero ’ s family decides to pretend that she died suddenly in hopes that they might buy time to figure out what happened.

Don Pedro (brothers) Don John  Borachio  + Margaret ? Gov. Leonato  Hero (daughter) X Beatrice (niece) <3     <3 Claudio Benedick

 Luckily, Borachio gets caught and arrested by the head of the night watchmen Dogberry and his wingman, Verges.

Don Pedro (brothers) Don John  Borachio  + Margaret ? Conrad  Gov. Leonato  Hero (daughter) Beatrice (neice) <3     <3 Claudio  Benedick Dogberry Verges Night Watchmen

 Gov. Leonato tells Claudio he must marry his brother Antonio’s “daughter” but she is revealed to be Hero.  Benedick & Beatrice decide to get married, too.  The End.

Don Pedro (brothers) Don John  Borachio  + Margaret ? Conrad  Gov. Leonato  Hero (daughter) Beatrice (niece) (brothers) <3    <3   <3 Antonio Claudio Benedick Dogberry Verges Night Watchmen