Much Ado About Nothing: A Summary

Act I

Scene I
     A messenger reads a letter, telling the people of Messina of the Prince of Arragon, Don Pedro's return victorious of the war between Arragon and an unspecified country. After, the messenger's discourse between himself and Leonato and the people of Messina, Don Pedro arrives on the scene with a happy heart. Leonato, of course, kindheartedly welcomes the brave prince and the loyal soldiers into his household. In this scene, the reader realizes that Benedick and Beatrice are in a 'merry-war' of sorts with one another and each casts words of vile and ill-intent on one other. After the prior scene, Claudio recounts of his affection towards Hero to Benedick and Benedick, being the man who hath no intention to marry frowns upon the very fact that his own friend speaks of love. Don Pedro later joins this argument and sends blessings on Claudio's proclaimed love for Hero.

Scene II
     In this scene, Leonato talks of Don Pedro and Leonato's earlier discourse to Antonio, his brother, but he misinterprets the conversation and believes that the Prince is the one in love with Hero, his daughter. He further explains that Don Pedro is going to ask for Hero's hand at the ball.

Scene III
      In this scene, we learn of Don John's ill-intent and treasonous, villainy misbehavior towards his very brother, Don Pedro. He speaks of a plot, in which on the night of the ball he tells Claudio that the Prince is trying to 'woo' Hero for himself instead of their previous arrangement where the Prince would offer Hero to Claudio for the dance.

Act II

Scene I
       Leonato and Beatrice talk of Don John's 'melancholy disposition'. Thence Beatrice mocks Benedick's proud yet joyous attitude and compares it to Don John's sad yet serious attitude. Beatrice and Benedick, then, have a quarrel. Basically, the jest/essence of this entire scene is the ball's happenings. On the night of the ball, Don Pedro takes fair Hero's hand, he is masked and begins to dance with Hero. As they dance, Don John comes onto the scene spreading ill-will and misconception in the mind of Claudio. He states that the Prince only wants Hero to himself and Claudio falls for his evil plot, having a bad-impression of the Prince in his mind and heart. The Prince then makes known his intention and follows through with the plan of getting consent from Hero's father, Leonato for the marriage between Hero and Claudio to take place.
        Benedick, on the other hand, decides to engage in discussion with Beatrice, he too is masked. Instead, however, of him telling Beatrice his identity, he keeps the disguise. Beatrice not knowing Benedick is the very man she is conversing with, slanders his name and calls him a jester. He doesn't take this well and feels ashamed and hurt by her harsh words and refuses to speak in her presence when called by the Prince.

Scene II
        Don John and Borachio displeased with the whole direction in which things are going come up with a plot to prevent Claudio and Hero from marrying one another. They talk of making Margaret, Hero's gentlewoman, dress in Hero's garments and have sexual intercourse with Borachio and of Don John bringing Claudio and Don Pedro to watch the whole scene play out.

Scene III
        Don Pedro, in this scene, converses with Claudio and Leonato, knowing very well that Benedick is hearing every word of the discourse. They talk of Beatrice loving Benedick, which, of course, is not true. Benedick, not knowing this begins to question his whole perception of love and in turn decides to return Beatrice's 'unrequited' feelings.


Act III


       Hero, Margaret and Ursula, in this scene, talk of Benedick's love for Beatrice, which too is false, knowing that she is just inches away hearing the whole conversation. Beatrice after hearing this, begins to insight these feelings in her heart and decides to also return Benedick's 'unrequited' feelings for her.

Scene II

        Don John executes his plan, he talks of Hero's disloyalty towards Claudio and further goes on to bring the Prince and Claudio to the 'scene of the crime'.

Scene III

           In this scene, the watch hears of Borachio's conspiracy to the Prince and Cluadio. They hear exactly how they executed the whole plan, how they had brought Claudio and the Prince to watch the supposed 'Hero' have sexual intercourse with another man a day before the wedding. The watch then captures them and takes them to the court.
  

Much Ado About Nothing

                                      Much Ado About Nothing

Play

        William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" is a comedic tale of two pairs of lovers. One pair; Benedick and Beatrice, refuses to proclaim their love for one another whilst the other pair; Hero and Claudio, are affectionate and very open about their apparent love for each other. Within this play, conflict is extremely prevalent. The antagonist, Don John seemingly creates most of the trials and tribulations which go on throughout the play. 

         In the first scene the major characters are introduced to the reader/viewer and a messenger receives word of the Prince of Arragon, Don Pedro's return from a war in which Arragon is victorious. Thereafter, Leonato welcomes the group of conquerors into his household. 

           It is noted that Beatrice and Benedick's constant bickering over nothing in particular stems from their previous relationship in which Benedick abandoned her. This is observed from the statement made by Beatrice saying "He set up his bills here in Messina, and challeng'd Cupid at the flight, and my uncle's fool, reading the challenge subscrib'd for Cupid, and challeng'd him at the burbolt" , in which she describes a 'battle' of love between herself and Benedick that she has lost.

        Claudio and Hero's love on the other hand is pure and seems to be completely void of arguments of any sort because of Hero's submissive and 'lady-like' nature in the fist act and Claudio's naturally gentlemanly and affectionate feelings towards Hero.

Music        

         The music in the movie is very soothing and serene in the very beginning. However, as the scenes, setting and theatrical conventions change so too does the music, for instance as Don Pedro enters Messina the music is quite dramatic, Also, Claudio and Hero's scenes together indulge in passionate, romantic and emotional music. The music variation is a very appealing method of getting the audience's attention.


Movie
            The characters are vividly displayed within the movie. In the different scenes of both the play and the movie the contextual dialogue are similar. However, in the movie, the wording is more condensed and summarized; only using the important or significant roles within the book. Furthermore, the visual aspect of the movie denotes more imagery in the minds of the readers of the characters. For instance, In the movie one of  the main character Don Pedro has an air of villainy surrounding him, his wardrobe is dark and seems to add to his character. When watching the movie, the characters voices were more distinct than as in reading the play and having to imagine the voices. Also, In the movie the setting and scenery varies and alters from that of the text. In my personal opinion,  the characters in the book were more well-developed in the play than in the movie.

Shakespeare & The Elizabethan Theatre: Group 2

                                   William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was born on April, 23rd 1564 in Stratford-in-Avon, northwest of London. This date is based on record of his baptism on April 26th.

Shakespeare's father John was a successful glove marker and a businessman who held a number of positions in the town government. His mother whose maiden name was Mary Arden, was the daughter of his father's landlord.

There is no written evidence of Shakespeare's boyhood, not even a name on a school attendance list. However, given his father's statue, it is highly probable that he attended the Stratford Grammar School, where he acquired knowledge of Latin.

In November, the year 1582 William Shakespeare received a license to marry. At this time Anne would have been 26 and William 18. A considerable age difference to William Shakespeare, whom at the time was still under the age of consent (21). It is apparent that Anne Hathaway became pregnant prior to marriage which would have no doubt caused a scandal for both of the families. Some writers have made much of the fact that Shakespeare left his wife and children behind and he went into London not long after his twins were born. However, he visited his family in Stratford regularly during his years as a playwright, and they may have lived with him for a long time in London.

Shakespeare became connected with the theatre in the late 1580's and earlyn1590's. By 1594, however, he had become a part owner and the principal playwright of the Lord Chamberlain's Men, one of the most successful theatre companies in London.

In 1599, the company built the famous Globe theatre on the South bank of the Thame River, in Southwark. This is where most of Shakespeare plays were performed.

William Shakespeare did not think to himself that he was a man of letters. He wrote his plays to be performed and did not bring out editions of them for the reading public. The first published edition of his work, called The First Folio, was issued in 1623 by two members of his theatre company, John Heminges and Henery Condell, and contained thirty-six of the thirty-seven plays now attributed to him.

In about 1610, William Shakespeare retired to Standfort, though he continued to write plays. April 23rd 1616 he died and was buried in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford because it was a common practice to move bodies after burial to make room for others.

Timeline of Praise

No other English writer has won such universal and enthusiastic praise from critic and fellow praise from critics and fellow writers. Here are sample of that praise, shown on a timeline from Shakespeare's day to our won:

·         Ben Jonson (1572-1667) “He was not of an age, but for all time!"

·         A.C.Bradley (1851-1935) "Where his power or art is fully exerted, it really does resemble that of nature."

·         T.S.Eliot (1888-1965) "About any one so great as Shakespeare it is probable that we can never be right............."

                Elizabethan Theatre

Prior to the reign of Elizabeth I, theatre companies made a living by travelling around the country looking for large audiences to perform. When Queen Elizabeth came to power and throughout her reign, she fostered the rise and formalization of English drama. It was during her era that drama began to be recognized as a complex art form to be appreciated, loved and critiqued by the masses. Queen Elizabeth’s own interest in drama led to this increasing interest.

           

When Shakespeare was twelve years old, an actor named James Burbage built London’s first theatre, called simply ‘The Theatre’, just beyond the city walls in Shoreditch. Actors- even prominent and well-to-do actors like Burbage- occupied a strange place in London society; they were frowned upon by the city fathers but were wildly popular with the common people.

            In 1597, the city fathers closed down ‘The Theatre’. In late 1598, Richard Burbage (James’s son) and his men dismantled it and hauled it in pieces across the Thames to Southwark. It took them six months to rebuild it, and when they did they renamed it the ‘Globe’.

            Critics dispute the exact shape and structure of this building however many believe it was round and octagonal. Shakespeare makes reference to the building in Henry V calling it “this wooden O”. It is believed that the design and structure of this building was derived from the beat-baiting and bull-baiting rings built in Southwark.

            The building could seat in excess of 2500; but actors had to project their voices to be heard.          Back then, there was no technology which is utilized in the theatre today.  Sound effects, special lighting, scenery and all the modern amenities now used to enhance productions were entirely absent. The actors were forced to use their own abilities to compensate for the lack of technology.

            In 1613 a cannon was fired as a part of a performance of Henry VIII set the theatre’s thatched roof on fire and destroyed it. The patrons escaped unharmed, but the Globe was completely destroyed.

           

Building a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe was American actor Sam Wanamaker’s dream. After long years of fund-raising construction, the theatre opened its doors full season on June 8, 1997.

            Like the earlier Globe, this one was also made of wood, with a thatched rood and lime plaster covering the walls.

            During the late 16^th century, Elizabethan drama became fully- developed. Playwrights turned away from basing their plays on the religious aspects of society and began writing more sophisticated plays. Drawing on models from ancient Greece and Rome, writers introduced tragedies- plays in which disaster befalls the hero/heroine. Dramatists also began writing their plays in carefully construed of unrhymed verse, using fanciful language and making the words play a vivid image in the viewers minds.

William Shakespeare: A Short Biography

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Childhood

   William Shakespeare was an English playwright and poet born in Stratford Upon Avon on April, 1564. He was born and raised by his parents, John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. Growing up, he had the privileges many others didn't have mainly because his father, John Shakespeare was one of the most prosperous men of Stratford, who also attained the position of chief offices in town. Going to school and getting a proper education was one of the priviledges, many assume that Shakespeare attended King Edward VI Grammar School. Hence, helping him become the learned and highly achieved man he is today.

Work

   William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright. He was famous in the Elizabethan Era and was recognized to most by his plays. Plays such as: Macbeth; Romeo & Juliet; King Lear; Othello;  The Merchant of Venice and Hamlet, just to name a few of his more well-known plays. He presented these plays in the sanctity of the Elizabethan theaters. He moved from theatre to theatre presenting his plays because none of the theatres in those times were permanent. However, in 1576 he built a theatre in Shoreditch, the experiment was quite a success and by 1592 there were two more playhouses in London. Shakespeare also comprised sonnets (as well as his theatrical works) as his main form of poetry. He made poems entitled: Venus and Adonis; The Rape of Lucrece and A Lover's Complaint. 

Accomplishments

   William Shakespeare was named one of the more senior members of the Lord Chamberlain's men. This was an acting company which often performed before the court. This prominent theatre company later became the royal company called the King's Men, making Shakespeare an official playwright to the King of England. His success blossomed so simultaneously that he and his family was granted a Coat of Arms which gave Shakespeare the title of a 'gentleman'. Shakespeare later became part of the ownership of the famous Globe Theatre where many of his plays were later performed. 

Death

   William Shakespeare died on April, 1616. However, written upon his tomb stone is an appeal bearing a curse to anyone who were to move his bones. It read:

Good friend, for Jesus´ sake forbeare
To digg the dust enclosed here!
Blest be ye man that spares thes stones
And curst be he that moues my bones.

    

Irony And Conflict

Irony is a technique of indicating, as through character or plot development, an attitude opposite to that which is actually or ostensibly stated. 


1. There are three types of irony. List them
The three types of irony are: 1. Situational Irony
                                           2. Verbal Irony
                                           3. Dramatic Irony

Situational Irony is when the opposite of what is expected to occur, happens.

Verbal Irony usually occurs in conversation, the speaker intends to be understood as meaning something that contrasts with the literal or usual meaning of what he says eg. sarcastic comments.

Dramatic Irony is when the reader or audience are aware of something that the characters in the story are not.

2.  Define internal conflict and external conflict.


a. Internal conflict is a mental or emotional struggle that occurs within a character.


b. External conflict is a struggle that occurs between a character and outside forces, which could be another character or the environment.

3. Discuss the different conflicts in Brother Man.


The conflicts in Brother Man are:

      The obvious rivalry between Brother Man and Brother Ambo. This is shown in the very beginning of the book when Brother Man refuses to keep Brother Ambo's possessions in his house. This is an example of external conflict.

     The distress and pain Cordelia feels when her child, Tad becomes ill and Brother Man can not heal him turns into she disdain and hatred towards Brother Man. She turns away from Brother Man's teachings and goes to Brother Ambo. This is an example of internal conflict.

    Girlie and Papacita's dysfunctional relationship is the dominant conflict within the book. Papacita's promiscuity increases and so too does Girlie's jealousy. Resulting in constant arguments and fights. However, the conflict  persists especially when Papacita leaves Girlie's house and rents a house of his own. This is an example of external conflict.

    Corporal Jennings brings out his frustration on not being able to find weed on the streets on a little boy. This is an example of external conflict.

   The people of Orange Lane betraying Brother Man based on generalization and brutally stone and jeer at him as a result. This is an example of external conflict.

   Minette's unwavering and romantic love for Brother Man makes her consistently throw herself at Brother Man although Brother Man only has unconditional love for her. This is an example of internal conflict

Letter to the Editor

                                                                                                                                     Friars Hill Road

                                                                                                                                     St. John's

                                                                                                                                     Antigua

                                                                                                                                     3rd November,1954

Editor
Observer Publications
Coolidge
St. John's
Antigua

Dear Editor,
                   Recently, on November 1st, I witnessed the brutal attack of a man informally referred to as 'Brother Man'. The brawl took place in a small village called Orange Lane in Jamaica. I watched as the savage villagers involved in this attack chanted "Down de old Ras Tafarite, murderers dem" whilst women and children joined in the harsh words and shouting.
    As the chanting worsened and grew louder the crowd became more enraged, more violent against the man chanting and singing obscenities such as "Run man wi'dout beard, beard man after you" in-sighting violence into many persons hearts. A woman decided to release her rage and in doing so threw a brick aiming directly for Brother Man's head.
    Even as the blood splattered and the man grew weak, persons still threw the stones, unafraid of committing murder as long as one less 'murderer' was off the streets. The blood-thirsty crowd continued on like a pack of wolves descending upon their prey. The scenery was so gruesome, I never once imagined a people to be so cruel to their own kind.
    I, however, was a bit enlightened when an old lady came on the scene and threw her frail, weak body over Brother Man's as if sacrificing herself for his own protection and safety. I, a young female did not have the strength to intervene yet this old woman did, I was a bit envious of her strength and will. But yet again, I was filled with disdain when the woman had hardly any strength was yet another victim of these blood-thirsty, heartless villagers.
    It was truly a very sad day in that little village in Jamaica. A day when an innocent man was victimized and ostracized, in the very society that he helped and healed persons, based on pure generalization and stereo-type. It was apparent to me that he was a strong-willed Christian man whom was loving to everyone whether wicked or kind; rich or poor he showed no sort of bias whatsoever, however, persons easily overlooked his kind character and God-like nature simply because of his locks and beard.
     Rastafarianism is often perceived as a malpractice. However, it is often referred to as a malpractice based on discriminative views and opinions of society. Society, not being accustomed to seeing men with long beards and locked hair view it as a rebellion and as a revolt from norms and values in the society. Because revolt and rebellion is associated to Rastafarianism in most cases, persons also make use of this to instill their discriminative beliefs in-sighting visions of murder and theft into the minds of the persons in society.

                                                                                                                 Signed,

                                                                                                                 An Unimpressed Onlooker