Classic Literature

Much Ado About NothingAct 1, Scene 2

Act 1

Scene II

A room in Leonato’s house.

	Enter Leonato* and Antonio, meeting.*
Leonato	How now, brother? Where is my cousin, your son? hath he provided this music?
Antonio	He is very busy about it. But, brother, I can tell you strange news that you yet dreamt not of.
Leonato	Are they good?
Antonio	As the event stamps them: but they have a good cover; they show well outward. The prince and Count Claudio, walking in a thick-pleached alley in my orchard, were thus much overheard by a man of mine: the prince discovered to Claudio that he loved my niece your daughter and meant to acknowledge it this night in a dance; and if he found her accordant, he meant to take the present time by the top and instantly break with you of it.
Leonato	Hath the fellow any wit that told you this?
Antonio	A good sharp fellow: I will send for him; and question him yourself.
Leonato	No, no; we will hold it as a dream till it appear itself: but I will acquaint my daughter withal, that she may be the better prepared for an answer, if peradventure this be true. Go you and tell her of it. Enter attendants. Cousins, you know what you have to do. O, I cry you mercy, friend; go you with me, and I will use your skill. Good cousin, have a care this busy time. Exeunt.

Companion

Previously

Act 1, Scene 1: Leonato welcomes Don Pedro and his companions back from the wars, while Beatrice and Benedick renew their exchange of insults. Claudio declares his love for Hero, but Benedick mocks marriage and insists he will stay a bachelor. Don Pedro offers to disguise himself as Claudio at the evening's festivities, court Hero for him and then speak to her father.

Who's who so far

Leonato Hero's father and Beatrice's uncle, who welcomes Don Pedro and his companions to stay at his house in Messina.
Hero Leonato's daughter and only heir, whom Claudio loves and Don Pedro plans to court in Claudio's name.
Beatrice Leonato's niece and Hero's cousin, who trades sharp jokes with Benedick and says she would rather hear a dog bark than a man declare his love.
Messenger A messenger who brings news of Don Pedro's approach, praises Claudio's conduct in battle and defends Benedick against Beatrice's mockery.
Don Pedro The prince, reconciled to his brother Don John, who offers to disguise himself as Claudio and seek Hero's agreement to marry Claudio before speaking to her father.
Don John Don Pedro's brother, reconciled to him, who briefly thanks Leonato for his welcome.
Claudio A young Florentine praised for his military service, who declares his love for Hero and accepts Don Pedro's offer to court her on his behalf.
Benedick A soldier from Padua who exchanges insults with Beatrice, mocks Claudio's love for Hero and insists he will remain a bachelor because he trusts no woman.
Balthasar A member of the party who enters with Don Pedro and has no speech in this scene.
Antonionew Leonato's brother, who trusts his servant's report that Don Pedro loves Hero and is asked to tell her about it.

Words to know

thick-pleached: closely interwoven, describing the branches bordering the orchard walk
accordant: willing to agree or give consent
peradventure: perhaps; by chance

Spoiler-free: these notes only cover what you have read.

Act 1, Scene 2 in brief

Leonato and his brother Antonio meet in a room of Leonato's house while music and other preparations are being arranged. Antonio reports that his servant overheard Don Pedro telling Claudio that he loved Hero and intended to speak to her at the dance. This differs from the plan the audience has just heard, in which Don Pedro intends to court her on Claudio's behalf. Leonato questions the servant's judgement and says they should treat the news as a dream until it is confirmed, yet still sends Antonio to tell Hero so she can prepare an answer. The brothers' discussion creates dramatic irony because the audience can recognise the mistake, while Leonato's return to directing attendants places the uncertain news within the household's busy preparations.

Key quotes

As the event stamps them: but they have a good cover; they show well outward.

Why it matters Antonio admits that only the outcome can prove whether the news is good. His distinction between the cover and what is beneath it fits a report whose attractive surface hides a mistake.

Appearances, deception and overhearing

we will hold it as a dream till it appear itself:

Why it matters Leonato sounds cautious about accepting hearsay, yet immediately takes steps to prepare Hero. Unconfirmed information already influences his decisions.

Appearances, deception and overhearingGender, power and choiceLove and marriage

Themes in this chapter

Appearances, deception and overhearingLove and marriageGender, power and choice

Exam tip

To explain the dramatic irony, compare Antonio's report that Don Pedro loves Hero with Don Pedro's actual offer to court her for Claudio in the previous scene, then show how Leonato acts on the unconfirmed report.

Study notes cover this chapter in full, so they include what happens in it.

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