Much Ado About Nothing Act 1.1 Litblog

Mary Ann MacDonald
Period 5
9/5/12

Act 1 Scene 1

Summary: Deonato is having Don Pedro of Aragon and his soldiers stay at his home for a month. One of the soldiers, Claudio, loves Deonato's daughter Hero and Don Pedro plans to put on a mask at the upcoming ball and pretend to be Claudio and tell Hero his feelings. Another soldier, Benedick, and Deonato's niece, Beatrice have a battle of wits and Beatrice talks about how much she hates Benedick.

Quotation: "With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord, not with love. Prove that ever I lose more blood with love than I will get again with drinking, pick out mine eyes with a ballad-maker’s pen and hang me up at the door of a brothel house for the sign of blind Cupid."

Quotation Significance: Benedick says this after finding out Claudio is in love with Hero. Benedick is saying that be sick with anything other than love and you will turn out okay. Love to him is a disease and something to be avoided. Benedick also says that if he ever gets lovesick to hurt him until he comes back to his senses.

Reflection: This chapter was very interesting. It gave me an insight into the character's emotions and feelings. Beatrice is confused and she doesn't know what to think of Benedick, and probably doesn't realize that most likely is in love with him. Hero is calm, collected and much more mature than Beatrice and has a deep wisdom Beatrice does not. She doesn't yet know Claudio's feelings for her. Benedick is afraid to fall in love, he pretends he doesn't like women but this is most likely an act to cover up his true feelings. Don Pedro is ready to help and assist Claudio in his love life. This story has gotten off to a great start, and I believe that Claudio and Hero will get together and hopefully Benedick and Beatrice.

Question: What do you think is the real reason Benedick doesn't show his true feelings?