Act 1- serves as an exposition

Act 1- serves as an exposition

1. Characters

   • Beatrice
     • She is Leonato's niece and Hero's cousin, Sharp and quick witted it is clear from the first scene she dislikes Benedick and often engages in witty exchanges with him. She is not very interested in the idea of marriage. Her banter with Benedict is very quick and witty but gives the readers a sense of love blooming between them. Unlike her sister she not very lady like and wants to die an old maid rather than marry. We find out about her dislike for Benedick when the messenger tells the people of Messina about the war and the nobles who returned. After Benedick and Beatrice have their first argument, we get a clear idea their feelings for each other is mutual.
       • "No, and he were, I would burn my study. But I pray you, who is his companion? Is there no young squarer now, that will make a voyage with him to the devil?" (Act 1, Scene 1, 58-60)
       • " A dear happiness to women...I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swears he loves me" (Scene 1, 95-98)
       • "A dear happiness to women. They would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor. I thank God and my cold blood I am of your humor for that." (Scene 1, 95-97)
   • Benedick
     • He is a nobleman from Pandua and a soldier who fought under Don Pedro. He is friends with Claudio and Don Pedro. He is just as quick witted as Beatrice and it is clear from their banter that he does not take a liking to Beatrice and like her does not favour the idea of marriage and vows to die a bachelor. He is very popular among woman except of Beatrice and even though he may say he doesn't like Beatrice, their banter is very light hearted and leads the audience to feel there might be something between them in the future. They always say they will never marry and fall in love and by doing this shakespeare gives the reader hints about the two of them being each other's romantic interests later on. He is not moved by emotions unlike his friend Claudio.
       • "What, my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yet living?" (Scene 1, 88)
       • "...Because I will not do them the wrong to mistrust any, I will do myself the right to trust none: and the fine is (for which I may go finer) I will live a bachelor." (scene 1, 180-182)
       • "But it is certain I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted. And I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart, for truly I love none." (Scene, 92-94)
   • Hero
     • She is the only daughter of Leonato and the cousin of Beatrice. She is beautiful and kind and is the love interest of Claudio. In the first scene, it is shown that she likes Claudio and he falls in love with her. She is very ladylike
       • "In mine eye, she is the sweetest lady that I have ever looked on." (Scene 1, 139)
   • Claudio
     • He is another soldier under Don Pedro and is both his and Benedick's friend. He is remembered greatly for fighting wars under Don Pedro. He is described as a frail lamb but on the battleground turns into a lion. He is friends with Don Pedro and Benedick. In the first scene, he falls in love with Hero and doesn't want to remain a bachelor anymore as discussed between Benedick and him. One theme explored is the contrast between war and love. He mentions how when he went for war he had no time to think about her but after coming back all this thoughts about war were replaced by this feelings for Hero. While Benedick is against love, Claudio on the other hand falls in love and is a hopeless romantic.
       • " He hath born himself beyond the promise of his age, doing in the figure of a lamb the feats of a lion. He hath indeed better bettered expectation than you must expect of me to tell you how.
       • "...Came thronging soft and delicate desires all prompting me how fair young Hero is, saying I liked her ere I went to wars."(Scene 1, 229-231)
       • "Hath Leonato any son, my lord?" (Scene 1, 220)
   • Don Pedro
     • Don Pedro is a nobleman from Aragon and is good friends with Benedick and Claudio. He has a half brióther Don John who is often called 'the Bastard'. Though he is good friends with Benedick and Claudio, it is him who is in power and the other two under his command. He has known Leonato, Hero's father for a long time and are good friends. He is kind and generous and is supportive as seen when Claudio confesses his feelings for Hero to him.
     • "If thou dost love fair Hero, cherish it, And I will break with her and with her father, And thou shalt have her. Was ’t not to this end That thou began’st to twist so fine a story?" (Scene 1, 234-236)
     • "...Tis once, thou lovest...I will assume thy part in some disguise And tell fair Hero I am Claudio, And in her bosom I’ll unclasp my heart And take her hearing prisoner with the force And strong encounter of my amorous tale. Then after to her father will I break, And the conclusion is, she shall be thine."( Scene 1, 244-254)
   • Don John
     • He is illegitimate half brother of Don Pedro of Aragon and is sometimes called "the Bastard" He is melancholy and it is evident that he is the antagonist int the play because of his need to ruin someone's life. When he finds out from one of his men that Don Pedro will be disguised as Claudio to ask Hero's hand in marriage he feels the need to conspire against them and foil their plans. He doesn't care why he wants to ruin someone's happiness but just feels that he needs to do it or he might not live. He only cares about himself and very honest about that. He doesn't like his brother and has no problem showing that.
       • "That young start-up hath all the glory of my overthrow. If I can cross him any way, I bless myself every way."(Scene 3, 48-50)
       • " I cannot be said to be a flattering honest man, it must not be denied but I am a plain-dealing villain...If I had my mouth, I would bite; if I had my liberty, I would do my liking. In the meantime, let me be that I am, and seek not to alter me."(Scene 3, 23-27)
       • "I cannot hide what I am. I must be sad when I have cause and smile at no man’s jests, eat when I have stomach and wait for no man’s leisure, sleep when I am drowsy and tend on no man’s business, laugh when I am merry and claw no man in his humor." (Scene 3, 10-13)
       • "Let us to the great supper. Their cheer is the greater that I am subdued. Would the cook were o' my mind! Shall we go prove what’s to be done?" (Scene 3, 52-54)
   • Leonato
     • He is a very respected and rich nobleman in Messina who has a daughter Hero and a niece Beatrice. He is good friends with Don Pedro. He tries to talk about marriage with Beatrice but she always ends up rejecting his ideas. He enjoys her views on marriage and men but is deeply worried about her. His wealth is talked about when Claudio asked Don Pedro if Hero was Leonato's only child showing a slight interest in laonato's wealth. He is the governor of Messina.
       • "Hath Leonato any son, my lord?" (Scene 1, 220)

2. Themes

   • Different views of love
     • Benedick and Beatrice have the same view as love. everyone other than them has a different view of love.
   • Appearance and reality/ trust what you see
   • Emotion and reason
   • Love
     • A major theme explored in the whole play
   • Contrast between love and war
     • Claudio mentions how when he went for war he had no time to think about love but after coming back his feelings were replaced by his love for war. This is only shown in scene one when Claudio is talking about his love for Hero with Don Pedro.

3. Setting

   • This play takes place in Messina in Italy.

4. Mood

   • Comedy: The constant banter between Beatrice and Benedick
   • Suspense: The act ends with Don John planning to ruin Don Pedro and Claudio's plan. This ending gives a sense of suspense to the readers because they don't know if he will succeed or not.