Benedick is almost a match for Beatrice as a memorable Shakespearean character. His apparent misogyny and unwillingness to make a commitment to a woman are almost stereotypes early in the play. His use of language, especially in his “merry war” with Beatrice, prevents him from being the cliched male who […]
Read more Character Analysis BenedickCharacter Analysis Hero
In some respects, Hero is a foil for Beatrice — a character whose presence serves to show off or enhance the qualities of another character. (The term foil originated as a piece of shiny metal placed under a precious stone to heighten its luster. One of the best-known literary foils […]
Read more Character Analysis HeroCharacter Analysis Beatrice
Beatrice is one of the most delightful characters in all of Shakespeare — certainly one of the most talkative and witty. She is likely to touch a responsive chord with many readers and playgoers today in light of current social ideas that encourage greater equality and self-assertiveness for women than […]
Read more Character Analysis BeatriceSummary and Analysis Act V: Scene 4
Summary The play’s final scene begins with the friar’s reminder to everyone — Leonato, Margaret, Ursula, Antonio, Hero, Beatrice, and Benedick — that he never doubted Hero’s innocence. Leonato excuses the actions of Claudio and Don Pedro and then reviews what is to happen next in the final deception they […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 4Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 3
Summary The scene takes place just before dawn at Leonato’s family tomb, where Claudio and Don Pedro are to demonstrate their grief for Hero, whom they suppose dead. First, a verse that Claudio has written is read aloud and hung on the tomb. The reading is followed by a song […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 3Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 2
Summary Benedick asks Margaret to find Beatrice for him, and they exchange quips that have sexual overtones. Left alone, Benedick tries the song he has written for Beatrice, admitting that writing poetry is really beyond him. Beatrice comes to him, curious about his challenge to Claudio. He says he is […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 2Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 1
Summary While his brother Antonio tries to console him, Leonato grieves at the villainy that has ruined his daughter’s reputation. When Claudio and Don Pedro appear, trying to leave Leonato’s estate, Leonato accuses Claudio of falsely denouncing Hero and, thus, of having caused her death. He challenges Claudio to a […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 1Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 2
Summary Dogberry, his men, and the sexton prepare to examine the prisoners Borachio and Conrade about their crime. The bumbling questioning by Dogberry first brings denials that Borachio and Conrade are “false knaves.” The sexton asks that the witnesses be called to give their testimony on what they heard. George […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 2Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 1
Summary Leonato suggests that Friar Francis use a short wedding ceremony to marry Claudio and Hero. In answer to the friar’s first question, “You come . . . to marry this lady?” Claudio answers “No.” Leonato assumes Claudio is joking and explains that the Friar is marrying them, that Claudio […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 1Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 5
Summary Dogberry and Verges stop Leonato on his way to the wedding. They want to tell him about the two men they have arrested — Borachio and Conrade — and ask him to hold a hearing for their testimony. Dogberry is so long-winded that Leonato becomes impatient and tells them […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 5