Much Ado About Nothing - Pre Reading Notes

Question 1

Who was the Author

Answer 1

Shakespeare

Question 2

When was it written?

Answer 2

1598

Question 3

Define Comedy

Answer 3

A literary work that usually ends happily because the Hero is able to overcome obstacles

Question 4

Themes of the play

Answer 4

• Grow out of the “Game of Love”

- The nature of truth and reality versus appearance

Question 5

Setting of the play

Answer 5

Messina - A port city in Sicily

Question 6

Leonato

Answer 6

Governor of Messina

Question 7

Hero

Answer 7

Leonato’s Daughter

Question 8

Beatrice

Answer 8

Leonato’s Niece

Question 9

Antonio

Answer 9

Leonato’s Brother

Question 10

Don Pedro

Answer 10

Prince of Aragon

Question 11

Benedick

Answer 11

A gentleman from Padua

Question 12

Count Claudio

Answer 12

A young lord from florence

Question 13

Conrad

Answer 13

Follower of Don John

Question 14

Don John

Answer 14

Don Pedro’s Brother

Question 15

Borrachio

Answer 15

Follower of Don John

Question 16

Dogberry

Answer 16

Constable (Sheriff) in Messina

Question 17

Verges

Answer 17

Dogberry’s Partner

Question 18

Foil

Answer 18

Type of character who sets off/highlights aspects of the Protagonist
Hero/Beatrice
Benedick/Claudio
Don Pedro/Don John

Question 19

Malapropism

Answer 19

Word used incorrectly that sounds similar to the correct one

Question 20

Flat Character

Answer 20

Only one or two personality traits

Question 21

Round Character

Answer 21

More dimensions to personality (Like a real person)

Question 22

Static Character

Answer 22

Doesn’t change much

Question 23

Dynamic Character

Answer 23

Changes in an important way because of the story

Question 24

Stock Characters

Answer 24

Character based on Stereotypes

Question 25

Pun

Answer 25

Play on words

Question 26

Ado

Answer 26

Fuss/Commotion

Question 27

Nothing

Answer 27

Had the same pronunciation as Noting which means to eavesdrop