Summary of Act 1, 2 and 3

Act

In the drama “Much Ado About Nothing,” the play begins with a messenger the news of the soldiers victory in battle and to expect their arrival in Leonato’s house shortly. Upon receiving more information about the war Beatrice then began to slander and insult Signior Benedick Mountanto of Padua. When they arrived Don Pedro also known as “Prince” along with his soldiers Claudio, Benedick and his “bastard” brother Don John all greeted Leonato and were praised on their recent victory. Beatrice then took the opportunity to continue her harsh insults and mockery of Signior Benedick where he, equivalent to her character made a few insults of his own.

After their exchange of insults, Claudio professed his love for Hero to Benedick. Benedick, a lucid man when it comes to love, was confused and enraged that his friend could be in “love.” He tried to persuade him to believe that such a thing does not exist and he is a fool to believe otherwise. Don Pedro now enters encouraging Claudio to pursue rather than try to discourage as Benedick attempted to do. Failing to understand the absurd behaviour of his friends talk of love Benedict gave up and departed. Claudio continued professing his undying love for Hero to Don Pedro. He also revealed that he would woo her but would not know how. Don Pedro, being the loyal friend that he was, in Claudio’s honour decided to woo Hero and receive Leonato’s blessings for marriage.

In meeting with Leonato, Antonio revealed that one of his men had overheard Claudio’s confession to Don Pedro of his love for Hero and their plot to woo her. Leonato now overcome with joy demanded that Antonio tell Hero at once so that she is prepared for an answer.

As Don John confides in his close follower, Conrade, his deepest troubles, Borachio another follower enters bearing news of what he overheard from Don Pedro and Claudio’s conversation. For spite and complete hatred of his brother; Don John and his two followers devised a plan to destroy this plot.

Act 2

On the night of the masquerade party held for the soldiers, Beatrice, Leonato, Hero, Innogen, Antonio and Kinsmen stood conversing. Beatrice’s in submissive and outspoken character is once more the topic at hand. Her witty quick remarks and her complete disdain for love is a source of amusement in this assembly of persons. When the soldiers entered the party, Pedro immediately followed through with the plan. The scene continued by introducing other couples such as Balthasar and Margaret, Ursula and Antonio. On the other hand Beatrice and Benedick continued their silly game. A disguised Benedick was Beatrice’s true thoughts of him. Meanwhile, Borachio and Don John pretended to have addressed Claudio as Benedick and began planting the seed of their plan. They claimed that Don Pedro’s bidding was not authentic but driven by his own selfish needs. Being as gullible as one can be Claudio, the bait, was easily hooked.

A now unmasked, distraught Benedick sees a jealous, angry Claudio and took his chance to prove his point of the pain and hurt that comes with love. The jealous Claudio now angered left Benedick’s company. Don Pedro confused by his friend’s anger, Benedick then gave an account of Claudio’s childish behaviour. Beatrice was then sent to retrieve the jealous Claudio. The miscontusion was cleared and Leonato gave Claudio his blessings.

After confiding in Don Pedro her desire to be loved was more vulnerable than ever, he decided that she is pure in heart. When she departed to festivities he devised a plan with Claudio, Hero and Leonato to make Benedick and Beatrice fall in love.

With their first plot as a failure, Don John and his followers decided to destroy that is about to take place between Count Claudio and Hero.

Benedick is alone in the orchard and is outpouring his desires of a woman if he so chooses one. Don Pedro, Leonato, Claudio and Balthasar then enter the orchard. After Balthasar’s singing, well aware of Benedict’s presence they began recalling instances of Beatrice professing her undying love Benedick. Although part of him did not believe this trick, a part of him that for love believed.

Act 3

The plot continues as Hero, and Ursula confess they have heard evidences of Benedick confessing his love for Beatrice entirely. Beatrice was also skeptical but took the bait.

While Don Pedro announces his quick and sudden departure after the wedding to Claudio, Benedick and Leonato, Benedick in the conversation acted in accordance as a man in love and was therefore teased as a magician the pawn of his own trick.

After the meeting Don John approached Don Pedro and Claudio claiming that Hero is disloyal.  To prove his claim he took them to her bedroom window where two figures were seen intimate. Claudio along with Don Pedro then planned to disgrace Hero in front of the entire congregation.

Dogberry, the Chief Constable, and Verges, the Headborough and three watchmen met to discuss the security of the Prince and the wedding occurring the next day. As Dogberry and verges left, Conrade and a drunken Borachio stood before the porch bearing their devious plot against Hero. The watchmen having heard enough descended upon them and departed with them. The next day, Beatrice, Margaret and Ursula helps Hero prepare for her wedding. Meanwhile, Dogberry and Verges unaware of the watchmen’s knowledge of the two held captive, appeared to Leonato asking for his aid in interrogating them but was denied in seeing that it was his daughter’s wedding day.

   

“Much Ado About Nothing”

What did Don John vow to do?

       Don John vowed to “overthrow” his brother Don Pedro.

Who is Claudia in love with?

       Claudia is in love with Hero.

What is the perception of love or about love between Beatrice and Benedick?

       The perceptions of love shared by these two characters seem to be a ridiculous thought          pondered and believed by fools. They think that such an idea is absurd and because of such absurdities does not exist. Because of their disdain for love they harbor hatred against the opposite sex, as if almost blaming them for the complications and implications of love.

What is the plot to be executed by Don Pedro?

        The plot to be executed by Don Pedro is in Claudio’s name, woo Hero. He was to persuade Hero and Leonato in Claudio’s favor, since Claudio himself was unable to do so.

" Much Ado About Nothing"

                                               Music

     Music played an important  role in the play "Much Ado About Nothing." It sets the tone or mood of a scene and also emphasizes or help express the characters feelings and emotions. Examples of music in the play are:

                                                                    

As Beatrice read the poem  aloud to the persons surrounding her the music was light and slow setting a relaxing mood. As the messenger raced to Leonato the music became more vibrant and energetic foreshadowing something good to come. Upon arriving and delivering his message the music then accelerated becoming very loud, vibrant, lively, and energetic. The soldiers galloping on their horses to this music signified happiness and victory.  For people at Messina it also reflected happiness and anticipation. The mood changed as Claudio and Hero caught each others attention. The music suddenly became light, smooth and slow signifying  romance. When Borachio over heard Don Pedro's and Claudio's plan, the light, relaxing mood changed into something dark and sinister signifying evil.

 

" Much Ado About Nothing"

 Characters

Leonato- Father of Hero and uncle of Beatrice. He is the governor of Messina and is very kind-hearted and loving (especially his daughter Hero whom he dotes upon). He is also well respected.

Don Pedro- a nobleman of Arragon sometimes referred to as "Prince." He is very courteous, generous and intelligent earning him the respect of those around him.

Beatrice- Leonato's niece and Hero's cousin. she seems to be very outspoken and quick to insults which is usually amusing to her family and peers. She is also critical of love although deep down she longs for a companion. She harbor's hatred toward men , especially Benedick who she holds as the object of her ridicule.

Hero- the daughter of Leonato. She is very gentle, loving and innocent. She is also in love with Claudio.

Bendick- a soldier fighting under Don Pedro and Claudio. He shares most of Beatrice's qualities including her wittiness and mockery of other persons and her critical state of mind about love. He also harbor's hate toward women in fear of infidelity.

Claudio-  is a soldier fighting under Don Pedro who fell in love with Hero. he is very  loyal and loving but is also gullible to rumors he hears.

Don John- Don Pedro's half brother who is referred to sometimes as "Bastard." His evil actions are powered by his jealousy, envy and  hatred  of his brother's authority.

Borachio- Don John's associate and accomplice in his plot.

Conrade- Don John's other devoted associate.

Questions on Brother Man

Brother Man

Name some conflicts in Brother Man and identify whether they are internal or external conflicts.  (Minette, Brother Man, Papacita, Girlie, Cordelia, Jesmina, Nathaniel)

Conflicts derived from the novel Brother Man are:

Minette- internal- she struggles with her feelings for brother man and wonders if such feelings are wrong, and if revealed to Brother Man will it hinder their relationship.

Brother Man- internal- he is struggling with his faith and ponders if he really is “the chosen one.”

Papacita-external- his abusive behavior toward Girlie and his persistence to free Minette of Brother Man’s trap and win her heart.

Girlie-external and internal-(External) she physically struggles for dominance with her companion Papacita. (Internal) she knows in her mind that such a relationship is unhealthy and would lead to no good she finds herself still in love with him although he is unfaithful.

Cordelia-internal-overwhelmed with grief over her companion arrest and then her son’s sudden illness, her mind becomes defragmented confusing reality with fiction.

Jesmina-internal- she is worried and terrified of her sister, she is also caught between the image of her old sister to the stranger who has now taken her form. Aside from her family she is afraid to give all her love to Shine in fear of repeating her sister’s mistake.

Nathaniel-internal and external-(internal) he refuses to be the caretaker of the child since he sought his companion to be unfaithful. (External) he expresses his frustration of her disloyalty to his companion and his blatant negligence to the child.

Define internal conflict and external conflict.

 Internal conflict is the struggle that occurs within the characters mind. This type of conflict allows the character to come face to face with his or her mixed feelings or emotions.

External conflict is the struggle that occurs between the character and outside forces such as another character, a community or forces of nature.

There are three types of irony list them?

The three types of irony are:

Sarcastic Irony -- refers to a writer making a statement in which the actual meaning differs from the   meaning that the words seem to express. It is also known as Verbal Irony.

Situational irony – refers to accidental events occurring that seem oddly appropriate.

Dramatic irony – refers to a narrative in which the reader knows something about present or future circumstances that a character in the story does not know.

Look at the book Brother Man discuss how irony is played out?

              In the novel Brother Man it is evident that irony played a major role, especially when analyzing the character Papacita. Dramatic Irony presented itself through Papacita’s mannerism.  Every reader is well acquainted with the saying, “What goes around, comes back around,” or even the term “Karma.”  The readers were well aware that Papacita’s abusive, lying and flirtatious behavior would take a turn for the worst. He was so willing to tarnish Brother Man’s Reputation to feed his lust for Minette that he forgot about Girlie whose unconditional love he blatantly disregarded. The readers also know that a person can only take so much before they’re no longer consciously thinking. Situational Irony came in to play when Girlie killed Papacita. Most readers would agree that that was his shortcomings for his cruel treatment in the past and Girlie deserved her revenge

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon  on 23^rd   April 1564 to  John Shakespeare, a successful glover and alderman originally from Snitterfield, and Mary Arden, the daughter of an sophisticated landowning farmer. His actual birth date remains unknown, but is traditionally observed on 23 April, St George's Day. He was the third child of eight and the eldest surviving son. John and Mary’s children comprised of Joan (only survived two months), Margaret (she died one year later), both died from the plague “Black Death”, William (died 1616 aged 52), October 13 Gilbert (died 1612 aged 46), Joan (died 1646 aged 77), Anne (1579 died aged 7), Richard (died 1613 aged 39) and Edmund (died 1607 aged 27).
 In 1553, Shakespeare received an education at the King’s New School in Stratford, a free chartered school a quarter- mile away from his home.  With the school’s curriculum governed by England’s law (Elizabethan era), he was given an intensive education in Latin Grammar and the Classic Arts
At the age of 18, Shakespeare married an older Anne Hathaway of 26 years. The wedding took place on 27^th of November 1582 where the consistory court of the Diocese of Worcester issued a marriage license. Six months following the marriage Anne gave birth to a daughter, Susanna, baptized 26 May 1583.  Almost two years later followed twins, son, Hamnet and daughter, Judith and they were baptized 2 February 1585.  Hamnet died of unknown causes at the age of 11 and was buried 11 August 1596.  Between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part owner of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men.
Shakespeare produced most of his known work between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were mainly comedies and histories, genres he raised to the peak of sophistication and artistry by the end of the 16th century. He then wrote mainly tragedies until about 1608, including Hamlet, King Lear, and Macbeth, considered some of the finest works in the English language. In his last phase, he wrote tragicomedies, also known as romances, and collaborated with other playwrights. He then later retired to Stratford around 1613, where he died three years later on 23^rd April 1616.
Many of Shakespeare’s plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime. In 1623, two of his former theatrical colleagues published the First Folio, a collected edition of his dramatic works that included all but two of the plays now recognized as Shakespeare's

Why is he known as the Greatest Playwright

William Shakespeare is regarded as the greatest playwright to date and is often referred to as England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon". His surviving works, including collaborations, consists of about 38 plays, 154 sonnets, 2 long narrative poems, and several other poems. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.  
"He was not of an age, but for all time," So wrote Ben Jonson in his dedicatory verses to the memory of William Shakespeare in 1623, “And so we continue to affirm today. No other writer, in English or in any other language, can rival the appeal that Shakespeare has enjoyed. And no one else in any artistic endeavor has projected a cultural influence as broad or as deep.”
 He was also acclaimed by The Romantics and worshipped by the Victorians  with a reverence that George Bernard Shaw called "Bardolatry". In the 20th century, his work was repeatedly adopted and rediscovered by new movements in scholarship and performance. His plays remain popular today and are constantly studied, performed and reinterpreted in different cultural and political contexts throughout the world.


Books composed by Shakespeare:  Published according to the True Original Copies (London: Printed by Isaac Jaggard & Edward Blount, 1623)-- Mr. William Shakespeare’s  Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies comprises of: The Tempest; The Two Gentlemen of Verona; The Merry Wives of Windsor; Measure for Measure; The Comedy of Errors; Much Ado About Nothing; Love's Labor's Lost; A Midsummer Night's Dream; The Merchant of Venice; As You Like It; The Taming of the Shrew; All's Well That Ends Well; Twelfth Night; The Winter's Tale; King John; Richard II; Henry IV, parts 1 and 2; Henry V; Henry VI, parts 1-3; Richard III; Henry VIII; Troilus and Cressida; Coriolanus; Titus Andronicus; Romeo and Juliet; Timon of Athens; Julius Caesar; Macbeth; Hamlet; King Lear; Othello; Antony and Cleopatra; Cymbeline;

The most illustrious theatre within the Elizabethan era was known as “The Globe Theatre.” It was constructed in 1597 then burnt down on 29^th June 1614. It was rebuilt in 1614 then demolished by the Puritans in 1644.

Letter to a Newspaper

For Wednesday, Pretend you observed the attack on Brother Man.  Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper in your country.  Expressing your feelings about the attack and how Rastafarianism is perceived.

                           

                                               

 Herbert's Estate,                
    St. John’s,                         
                                                                  Antigua.                            
                                   11/03/2010                       
 

Ben Stiller,
Editor,
Sun Jamaica,
Kingston,
Jamaica.

Dear editor,
                 I am writing this letter to express my outrage on the recent prejudice against Rastafarians arising in my community. I am well aware of the recent murder of the young couple and according to the media; police had identified a Rastafarian as the perpetrator. And also this strong hatred for Rastafarians plastered all over the media. Now I understand what it feels like to fear for your life, being terrified when walking in the streets wondering if it would be your last. But what I cannot begin to comprehend is the recent attack on Brother Man in the street. I viewed helplessly from my window how these animals charged at this helpless man, constantly each after the other, giving their blows, mauling him. I watched as someone tried to help being pushed aside with her clothes ripped from her body. It seemed that nothing could stop those savages and the more blood they saw oozing profusely from the man’s body the more satisfaction they received. I was completely flabbergasted and disgusted by such brutal and absurd behavior.

                I had never truly known Brother Man but what I’ve heard about this Rastafarian was absolutely amazing. He preached the word of God spreading the gospel and healed the sick. He was the epitome of Jesus Christ himself.  He was a good holy man that didn’t deserve such a fate. When most people hear about Rastafarianism they think it’s a cult where they smoke ganja and get high. But this is not true. Rastafarianism is seen as a religion just as the Catholics, Methodists or Anglican. They have their own beliefs and rituals just as practiced by other faiths.

                 In closing, sure the perpetrator is described as a Rastafarian but does that mean that all Rastafarians should be condemned to death and endure such harsh treatment. If that may be the case then all of us should deserve the same punishment because we all belong to some denomination, group or race where someone has committed murder.

A Concerned Local,

Brantella Williams.