Much Ado About Nothing – Act One

Why is it significant that Don Pedro and his men are returning from the wars? They are thinking of love since they’ve been away from women for a long time.
Why does Beatrice ask about Benedick? What is the “real” reason? She wants to express that she doesn’t like him, but she’s interested.
Beatrice and Benedick say that lovers are fools, and they want nothing to do with love. Why do you think they say this? They are protecting their hearts, they are still upset about the last time.
How does Benedick react to Claudio’s declaration that Hero is “the sweetest lady that ever I looked on”? He says Beatrice is much more beautiful than Hero.
Why does Claudio send Don Pedro as his emissary to Hero to declare his love? Because Don Pedro has the power to retain the love of Hero for Claudio.
Why does Don John want to cause trouble? Why is he so morose? He wants to stand out against his brother because he is a villain.
What are Beatrice’s reasons for not wanting to have anything to do with men? Their beards are to scratchy and if they have no beard they are to young. Incest.
What are Leonato’s instruction to his daughter, Hero, and what do these show about traditional attitudes? If the prince asks her to marry her she must say yes.
According to the stage directions for the dance, Don John is not masked during the revels? Why? He doesn’t care if people know it’s him or not.
Do you think Beatrice and Benedick know each other when they speak behind their masks? Why? Why not? He knew he was talking to her, but she didn’t know who she was talking to.
Why does Don John pretend that he does not recognize Claudio? To hide his scheme.
How does Benedick feel about his conversation with Beatrice? He feels like he was just insulted; he is unhappy.
What does Beatrice mean when she says, “once before he [Benedick] won it [my heart] of me with false dice”? (II, i, 277-278) He tricked her into loving him, he cheated on her.
Why is Claudio unable to speak when Don Pedro tells him that the Lady Hero is his? Because he thought Don Pedro was going to take her from him. He’s happy.