Much Ado About Nothing Act 3.2-3.3 Litblog

Mary Ann MacDonald
Period 5
September 13, 2012

Act 3.2-3.3

Summary: Don Pedro and Claudio have a discussion and argue whether Benedick is in love or not with Beatrice.  Don John walks in and talks to Claudio telling him that Hero is unfaithful and if he watches her bedroom window at night he will see her unfaithfulness.  In Act 3 Scene 3, Dogberry an Verges leave men on guard duty when Borachio and Conrade walk in, and talk about how Borachio has been paid to be a criminal by Don John and the watchmen listen in. They hear how Margaret pretended to be Hero and was seduced by Borachio. The wathcmen order them to stop and take them to Constable Dogberry.

Quotation: "Benedick's heart is like a bell, with his tongue as the clapper: everything his heart thinks, his tongue thinks."

Quotation Significance: Don Pedro said this about Benedick when him and Claudio argue over whether Benedick is in love. They are saying everything in his heart is what he says out loud. They are basically saying he talks about what he feels and he is very easy to read.

Reflection: The two watchmen caught Borachio and Conrade talking about ruining Hero and Caludio's marriage. This means that this story isn't a tragedy and that Don John's evil plans will not work out and Claudio and Hero will get married. In these two scenes Don Pedro and Claudio decide that Benedick is in love with Beatrice and even though they both have flaws they have been tricked into falling in love with each other even though they both swore they would never marry and fall in love. I think next that somehow Conrade and Borachio won't escape but Don John will go on with his plan alone and Claudio and Hero will not find about Don John's involvement in the plot until right before it is too late.

Discussion Question: What do you think will happen to Conrade and Borachio? Do you think that Don  John will still continue his plan?