Much Ado About Nothing Comedy Time Line

By lauren_graue

  • Act 1 Scene 1

    Act 1 Scene 1
    The men have just arrived back from war, making the mood is joyful, but then the mood shifts to more of a humorous one when Beatrice calls Benedict "Signior Mountanto", meaning Sir Thrusty (Act 1, Scene 1, Line 30).

  • Act 1 Scene 3

    Act 1 Scene 3
    The mood so far is cheerful and humorous, but that takes a sharp turn when Don John, the Bastard, first appears in scene 3. Then proceeds to tell the audience he is a " plain-dealing villain" (Act I, Scene 3, Line 30).

  • Act 2 Scene 1

    Act 2 Scene 1
    Beatrice, again, lightens up the mood with her humor when using her wit against her uncle by saying the devil will say to her "get you to heaven; here’s no place for you maids,” when she meets him at the gates of hell (Act II, Scene 1, Line 45). Later in the act she continues to use her wit to making fun of Benedict calling him the "Prince's jester, a very dull fool..." (Act II, Scene 1 Line 135).

  • Act 2 Scene 2

    Act 2 Scene 2
    When Borachio tells Don John "Proof enough to missue the Prince, to vex Claudio, to undo Hero, and to kill Leonato." he switches the mood back to vengeful dishonorable and (Act II, Scene 2, Line 30).

  • Act 3 Scene 1

    Act 3 Scene 1
    When Hero says “Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps” (Act III, Scene 1, Line 110). they are deceiving Beatrice into thinking that Benedict is in love with her. The passion from Hero when advising Ursula not to tell Beatrice adds to the deceitfulness because she is really making her act believable.

  • Act 3 Scene 2

    Act 3 Scene 2
    This scene starts with a humorous mood when Claudio is teasing Benedict about his love with Beatrice saying " I hope he be in love" (Act III, Scene 2, Line 17). Then the mood changes fast to anger towards first Don John for saying his "lady is disloyal" then towards Hero (Act III, Scene 2, Line 95).

  • Act 3 Scene 3 and 5

    Act 3 Scene 3 and 5
    In both Act 3 and 5 Dogberry brings humor to the acts with malapropisms such as "salvation" when he means damnation, "present" when he means represent, and "comprehend" when he means apprehended ( Act III, Scene 3, Line 3,74 / Scene 5, 44).

  • Act 4 Scene 1

    Act 4 Scene 1
    While Claudio is accusing Hero of cheating in front of the whole wedding party, he says "She knows the heat of a luxurious bed. / Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty.” (Act 4, Scene 1, Line 40)
    “I will challenge him. This hostile tone is continues through the act when Beatrice tells Benedict to "kill Claudio” (Act III, Scene 1, Line 302).

  • Act 5 Scene 1

    Act 5 Scene 1
    The hostile mood continues through this scene when Leonato's brother calls Claudio and Don Pedro "Boys, apes, braggarts, jacks, milksops!” for wronging his niece (Act 5, Scene 1, Line 102).

  • Act 5 Scene 3

    Act 5 Scene 3
    This scene has a somber mood portrayed in solemn song hymn about Hero who was "done to death with slandered terms" (Act V, Scene 3, Line 3). Claudio and Don Pedro share a sadness over the death of Hero, who they know realize is virtuous.

  • Act 5 Scene 4

    Act 5 Scene 4
    The final mood in Much Ado About Nothing is happiness because Hero is found to be alive and is married to Claudio. Benedict also finds happiness when he says "Peace! I will stop your mouth. / [They kiss]" and marries Beatrice (Act V, Scene 4, Line 102).