MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Act III

Scene 1

In a discussion, Hero and Ursula talk about the presumed love of Benedick for Beatrice. She listens to them and she is shocked because of her secret feeling for him.

There is a great contrast between Beatrice and Benedick's reactions: she is often silent and serious and she appears more affected by her friends' opinion than Benedick, who is ironic and extroverted. There are also differences between Beatrice and Hero's behaviour.

Scene 2

Don Pedro, Claudio and Leonato tease about Benedick's attitude towards love and he can't defend himself. Then Don John tells them about Hero's disloyalty and Claudio promises he will disgrace her if it's true.

In this scene Don John seems to be sure that everyone will believe him. There is also a change in Benedick's behaviour.

Scene 3

Dogberry shows his strange idea on Watch's function. Then Borachio tells Conrade about the payment he has received from Don John for acting the love scene with Margaret.

The high dramatic tension is followed by one of high comedy, with the entrance of the ridiculous policemen. It is very strange that these comic characters uphold law and order, but it is not so important because we know that the problems are short and they can simply be solved.

Scene 4

Hero is getting ready for the marriage and Beatrice, pretending a cold, decides not to help her.

Beatrice claims to feel ill only for hiding her change of mood, and we see that Benedick has the same behaviour.

Scene 5

The Watch arrests two "arrant knaves" and Leonato, who is going to his daughter's wedding, tells Dogberry and Verges to take the men's statement themselves.

It is clear that the constables have no idea of their importance, because they could stop Don John's . This is a bitter conclusion about power's incompetence, but it is also another reason for comedy moments.