1. Overview of William Shakespeare’s
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Overview of William Shakespeare’s
Much Ado About Nothing
© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.
The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

2. Comedy or Tragicomedy? Boy-Meets-Girl Boy Romances Girl Boy Gets Girl
Girl Loses Boy
Boy and Girl find each other again

3. Much Ado About Nothing
Key Facts
William Shakespeare
author
Comedy
genre 
date of first publication
1600
time and place written
1598, England

4. Setting
Messina, a city on the island of Sicily in southern Italy, sometime in the 16th century
The men returning from battle with Don Pedro would likely view Messina as a welcome respite from the battlefield.
The whole point of the soldiers coming to Messina is that they’re in an idyllic setting, away from the action of the war.

5. Characters Great summary at Manga Shakespeare 10/25/2017 12:01 PM
Great summary at Manga Shakespeare
© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.
The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

6. Beatrice
She is cousins and good friends with Hero, Leonato’s daughter.
She is the niece of Leonato, a wealthy governor of Mesina.
High born lady.
She loves to participate in a “merry war” of wits with Benedick. “I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow, than a man swear he loves me.”
Feisty, cynical, witty, and sharp.
Her comments suggest that she and Benedick may have tried to have a relationship in the past but Benedick may have “led her on.” Now she is wary of him.
Single by choice.

7. Beatrice has a relentless and brilliant wit that could easily be mistaken as the role of a jester in the play, but her barbs are laced with insightful commentary and often inspired by penetrating understanding.
Beatrice as comic relief.
Instead of being melancholy or sad, she chooses to laugh at it, which is a sure sign of wisdom.
“He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man. He that is more than a youth is not for me, and he that is less than a man, I am not for him.” 
She sees the absurdity of the world.
 She’s been hurt before, and she’s afraid to be vulnerable; if she were to be made vulnerable, she wouldn’t quite know how to deal with it. Beatrice’s pride, though she’s consciously fighting it, gets in the way of admitting her folly in love, and she uses her wit as a defense.

8. Benedick He is young lord of Padua.
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“Shall I never see a bachelor of three-score again?”
Benedick
Benedick Mountanto is in the service of Don Pedro, Prince of Arragon.
He is young lord of Padua.
He is a good soldier, but a bit of a mischievous knave.
He is a good friend of Count Claudio.
While Beatrice thinks no man will ever be good enough for her, Benedick seems to be more hung up on not being tied down. “When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married.” 
He vows that he will never marry.
Benedick is one of the most histrionic characters in the play, as he constantly performs for the benefit of others. He is the entertainer, indulging in witty hyperbole to express his feelings.
© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.
The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

9. A Merry War Beatrice & Benedick -- They both fight love; however
Video link available at: Here is a brief look at Benedick and Beatrice’s verbal war with one another. Through snippets of her conversation (like when she tells Don Pedro her mother cried when giving birth to her) we realize that Beatrice is actually a soulful character. She’s been hurt before, and she’s afraid to be vulnerable; if she were to be made vulnerable, she wouldn’t quite know how to deal with it. Beatrice’s pride, though she’s consciously fighting it, gets in the way of admitting her folly in love, and she uses her wit as a defense.
Beatrice & Benedick -- They both fight love; however
by the end of the play, the audience knows they are destined for each other. “Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps. ” 
Or, watch this video here and here

10. He is a young Count from Florence.
Claudio
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Claudio has distinguished himself as a
soldier under Don Pedro, Prince of Arragon.
He is a young Count from Florence.
He’s a friend of Benedick , and the groom, of Hero. When Claudio loves Hero, he loves her to distraction. When he hates her, he hates her with fury. 
Passionate
Claudio’s actions throughout the play reveal that
he has quite a bit of growing up to do – he quickly
falls in love with Hero and can’t even court her on
his own.
He is a little immature.
Claudio was apparently attracted to Hero on an earlier visit, and on his return is completely captivated by her. He may also be looking longingly at what she stands to inherit as Leonato's only child, and what he could gain by being married to her when she does. He seems oblivious to Benedick's scathing remarks about her and his attitudes about marriage. Then he allows himself to be deceived by Don John, not just once, but twice. Later he realizes his mistake and allows himself to be deceived by Leonato in an effort to re-ingratiate himself to the family for his earlier error in denouncing Hero. Finally, he recovers himself completely to marry the original (but wiser?) Hero. Somehow, he has the presence of mind to have with him Benedick's love poem for Beatrice and to make it public at the right time.
Does Claudio change during the play? Not much, it seems. He is still immature, ready to concede to whatever marriage plan is presented to him, lucky that a forgiving Hero and her family will even accept him.
© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.
The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

11. He is the Prince of Aragon
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Don Pedro
Don Pedro most often uses his power and authority toward positive ends. But like his half-brother, Don Pedro manipulates other characters as much as he likes. 
He is the Prince of Aragon
He is the noblest character in the social hierarchy of the play, and his friends Benedick and Claudio, though equals in wit, must always defer to him because their positions depend upon his favor. 
Don Pedro is something of an elder statesman in the play; Claudio defers to Don Pedro when he wants to get married, and even when Claudio denounces Hero at their wedding, everyone looks to Don Pedro for guidance. Because of his age and maturity, Don Pedro is more venerable and more complex than Claudio. He is constantly the voice of reason, and is something of a peacemaker with his clear speech and anti-dramatic tendencies. (Remember, rather than make a big deal out of Claudio thinking he’d stolen Hero, he’s just like, "that’s not what happened," and hands the girl over.) While he’s played upon by Don John’s treachery, he doesn’t lash out passionately about the affair, but simply acquiesces that the girl is guilty as charged. He’s loyal to his friends, and leaves the wedding with Claudio and his brother, which would be cool if he hadn’t been mistaken about Hero’s virtue.
© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.
The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

12. 10/25/ :01 PM
Is he or isn’t he?
At one point, Don Pedro proposes to Beatrice. It seems he gets “a little melancholy” at her response of “no thanks.”
 in Act 2, Scene 1 (beginning around line 275) Don Pedro is talking with Beatrice about her views on marriage after the masquerade. Beatrice makes a joke, saying, "I would rather have one of your father’s getting. / Hath your grace ne'er a brother like you? / Your father got excellent husbands, if a maid could come by them." Don Pedro responds, "Will you have me, lady?" which is potentially another joke, although it may also be quite a serious question (The 1993 film version of the play, directed by Kenneth Branagh, takes the more serious approach, for example). If Don Pedro is serious in this question, it may also add to the reasoning for Don Pedro's melancholia at the end of the play. Being infatuated with Beatrice, her engagement to Benedick would certainly add to (or perhaps even be the main cause for) his melancholia. If the play is presented in a way that places significance on Don Pedro's response to Beatrice, he clearly does show romantic interest in the play.
© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.
The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

13. Hero A gentle, loving girl. Female lead? Hero is Leonato’s daughter.
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Hero
A gentle, loving girl.
Female lead?
Hero is Leonato’s daughter.
She is Beatrice’s cousin.
The beloved (and slandered) fiancée of Claudio.
She gives many of her big decisions over to other people.
Though she is supposed to be the female lead of the play, Hero has the fewest lines of the four primary characters.
Most notable about her is what she doesn’t say. When Claudio denounces her publicly at her wedding, she doesn’t defend herself violently enough to inspire anyone to really question Claudio’s claims. She is reasonably shocked by the accusation, but her sweet nature prevents her from pointing out that Claudio has been gullible before, and is likely deceived in this venture as well. Further, when the whole Don John affair (part two) is cleared up, she happily accepts Claudio again as her husband, even though she’s already witnessed his rash wrath. She could’ve pointed out that Claudio was an idiot and really owes her an apology, but instead she speaks in abstracts about how she lives again now that her name is cleared.
© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.
The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

14. The illegitimate brother of Don Pedro; sometimes called “the Bastard.”
Don John operates as a plot-device more than a fully fleshed out character.
Don John
He does give us a little speech about how he’s a bad guy – and likes being a bad guy – but there’s not much that we say about him because we never really know his motivations, or even his reaction to all of the chaos he’s caused.
The Dispossessed Son
He is second to his older brother.
He is recently back in his good graces but doesn’t like the burden of “behaving” properly.
Second Best
Villians

15. 10/25/ :01 PM
Leonato
A respected, well-to-do, elderly noble at whose home, in Messina, Italy the play is set.
Leonato is the father of Hero and the uncle of Beatrice.
As governor of Messina, he is second in social power only to Don Pedro.
© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.
The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

16. Margaret Balthasar Antonio
Hero’s serving woman, who unwittingly helps Borachio and Don John deceive Claudio into thinking that Hero is unfaithful.
A waiting man in Leonato’s household and a musician. Balthasar sings the song, “Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more” about accepting men’s infidelity as natural.
Leonato’s elderly brother and Hero's uncle. He is Beatrice’s father.

17. Borachio
He is a “henchman” of Don John. Borachio is the lover of Margaret, Hero’s serving woman. He conspires with Don John to trick Claudio and Don Pedro into thinking that Hero is unfaithful to Claudio.
Conrad
One of Don John’s more intimate associates, entirely devoted to Don John.

18. Dogberry Verges He is he constable in charge of the Watch.
He is chief policeman, of Messina.
Dogberry is very sincere and takes his job seriously.
He has a habit of using exactly the wrong word to convey his meaning.
Verges 
The deputy to Dogberry
Chief policeman of Messina.
Dogberry - Dogberry is one of the few “middling sort,” or middle-class characters, in the play, though his desire to speak formally and elaborately like the noblemen becomes an occasion for parody.
“Marry, sir, they have committed false report; moreover, they have spoken untruths; secondarily, they are slanders; sixth and lastly, they have belied a lady; thirdly, they have verified unjust things; and, to conclude, they are lying knaves.”