Much ado about nothing

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Act1 Scene1

"Much Ado About Nothing" is one of Shakespeare's most loved plays. This comedy about love, villainy, friendship, parent-child relationships, society and customs presents a rich confusing blend of life's relationships, foolishness and catastrophe. It is a play with two parallel plots given equal coverage and equal focus, one involving Hero and Claudio (the, ordinary couple), the other involving Beatrice and Benedick (the outspoken, unusual couple). There is Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon, who assists in matching-up both couples. He comes to visit Leonato, the governor of Messina (Hero's father and Beatrice's uncle), after a battle against his bastard brother Don John who tries to take revenge for his defeat.

Society

Society had respect only for the noble class"How many gentlemen have you lost in this action?" "But few of any sort, and none of name." This quote gives us the impression that even a welcoming person as Leonato was, had value only for high class people.

In Shakespearean era women had very little rites and were considered inferior to men. There are no quotes about this section as the women seldom speak in the play besides 'sparky' Beatrice

On the whole to conclude this analysis of society, I want to say that in Shakespearean times people only had respect for high class men.

Setting

The play is set in Messina. The place is portrayed as a make-believe fairytale land where nothing goes wrong and everyone is joyous. Although, are given a hint of fighting as we are told the Prince and his soldiers are returning from war: "How many gentlemen have you lost in this action?"
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The Messinian society is not reflected upon much as the whole play is set in the governor's home. Shakespeare has tried to direct the play in Messina as it is an exotic place, but the audience is not given much information about what has been happening there.

Hero seldom speaks during the first act. She is friendly and well-behaved, and when she speaks she is very factual, but only speaks when spoken to or to answer a question "My cousin means Signior Benedick of Padua". One thing is for sure, that she is very timid as ...

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