Much Ado about Nothing

Much Ado about Nothing Summary | Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

As this scene opens, the Governor of Messina, Leonato, his niece Beatrice and his daughter Hero are speaking with a messenger. The messenger has come to tell Leonato that Don Pedro, the Prince of Aragon, is visiting Messina following some sort of battle ("action"). Leonato questions the messenger about the battle, learning that a young lord of Florence named Claudio has earned praise for his part in the battle. The messenger also tells Leonato that Claudio's uncle, who lives in Messina, cried tears of joy when he was told of his nephew's achievements.

Beatrice asks the messenger about Benedick, a lord of Padua whom she has met before. Upon finding out that he survived the battle, she tells the group about an incident where Benedick challenged all the townspeople to participate in an archery contest, badly beating Leonato's fool. Beatrice confesses to betting against Benedick in the contest, and she displays an obvious dislike for him.

The messenger reports that Benedick performed well in battle, and Leonato urges Beatrice not to be so hard on Benedick. Beatrice and the messenger then engage in some witty dialogue, with the messenger talking about Benedick's "good service," followed by Beatrice calling Benedick a "stuffed" (false or weak) man. Beatrice persists, accusing Benedick of disloyalty to his friends and comrades. Using a metaphor, the messenger notes that Benedick is not on Beatrice's good side, or not in her "good books." Beatrice takes this literally, saying that if "he were, [she] would burn her study" When told that Claudio is now one of Benedick's friends, Beatrice worries aloud that Claudio may catch some sort of Benedick "disease," which will cause him to lose money and go mad. The messenger notes that he would not like to be her enemy, and Leonato says that Beatrice will never go "mad" for Benedick.

Soon a party of men approaches, and we meet Don Pedro, Claudio, Benedick, Balthasar (a singer) and Don John. Don Pedro and Leonato exchange pleasantries, followed by Don Pedro asking Leonato whether Hero is his daughter. Leonato makes a clever remark about her mother telling him that Hero is his daughter. Benedick seizes this remark to ask if Leonato was ever in doubt of Hero's parentage, and Leonato replies that he had no doubt, since Benedick was too young to have fathered Hero. Leonato and Don Pedro then step aside for a private talk.

Benedick and Beatrice engage in some banter, in which Beatrice makes it clear she does not care for him at all. Benedick replies by mocking her bitterness and quick tongue, and Beatrice says that he is an expert at trying to get the last word. She adds that she knows all his tricks and turns of wit from previous encounters.

When Don Pedro and Leonato rejoin the group, Don Pedro announces that his party will be staying with Leonato for a month or more. Leonato welcomes all and makes a special point of welcoming Don John, indicating that Don John and Don Pedro have just reconciled after a disagreement.

After all the others have left, Claudio and Benedick speak for a short time about Hero. Claudio confesses that he has quickly fallen in love with her. Benedick replies cleverly, as he comments jokingly that she is too short, not fair-skinned, and that she has a small bosom. He notes that while she is not unattractive, he does not particularly like her. When Claudio says that he would like to marry Hero, Benedick makes a speech about how few bachelors there will be if all men fall for women and "yoke" themselves into marriage.

Don Pedro rejoins the two, and, when he learns of Claudio's feelings, he assures Claudio that Hero is worthy of his love. Claudio and Don Pedro then chide Benedick about his negative attitude toward women, and Benedick says that he will never marry. Don Pedro assures Benedick that he will some day fall in love and be married, which Benedick asserts is impossible.

After some jokes about Benedick's sexual achievements and about what a poor husband he would make, Benedick is sent on an errand. Don Pedro then assures Claudio that he will help him woo Hero by assuming a disguise and claiming to be Claudio. He also says that while still disguised as Claudio he will confess his love to Leonato, which is sure to lead to a marriage between the two lovers.