A Summary Of Act One Sc One

Introduction set up the play in Messina, learning that "Don Pedro of Aragon comes this night to Messina"

A messenger has been used with the audience in mind, he delvers the information needed to illustrate the story. Leonato elevates Claudio's presence when exclaiming "Don Pedro hath bestowed much honour upon a young Florentine called Claudio." The messenger further illustrates the importance of the character when stating that [Claudio] "Hath borne himself beyond the promise of his age, doing in the figure of a lamb the feats of a lion". Meaning he is presented as being valiant and brave, but more importantly the "beyond his age" acknowledges that Claudio is young.

The character Beatrice is introduced with the ability of speech- with speech comes power- as her wit and quick speaking ability allows her to turn the words of the Messenger into more satirical statements- especially towards the character Benedick, referring him as "Signor Mountanto"(a sarcastic comment towards his feeble nature) "hath he killed? for indeed i promised to eat all of his killings" Beatrice obviously is mocking Benedick in that she does not think he has the ability to kill. The Messengers dry and formal responses to Beatrice's witty remarks show an example of comic pairing, almost as if he has been put in to provoke Beatrice's wit. (an example of stage intention). Beatrice's word play-
"
and a good soldier too lady. 
and a good soldier to a lady; but what is he to a lord?
a lord to a lord. a man to a man, stuffed with all honourable virtues
it is so indeed,he is no less a stuffed man; but for the stuffing
"
She constantly managed to return the Messengers compliments to witty remarks of satire upon Benedick. She even refers to him "like a disease".

Benedick enters and the pair (comic pairing) engage in sparring of wit between the two.
"nobody marks you" Beatrice explains that Benedick talks without an audience and proposes no one listens to him. However, he explains that everyone loves him "i am loved of all ladies" Benedick is obviously in love with himself and does not lack in confidence.

Best example of their sparring pg 158. ends with the sentimental note of " i know you of old" upon which we realise the two have been together before, The two represents the "challenging of institutionalised love" rather they oppose the stereotypical fallinloveatfirstsight kind of love. (Claudio)
Claudio represents young love, marriage fixes all. " she is the sweetest lady i ever looked on" "if hero would be my wife"

Vulgar comedy is introduced when only in the company of men (perhaps a nod towards men being the culprits of vulgar humour) such as when Benedict explains "i noted her not. but i looked on her"
The two characters clearly juxtapose each other- through Benedicks wit and satire (vulgar jokes) with Claudios young and innocent compliments "can the world buy such a jewel?"
Too which Benedick clearly dismisses. " Yea, and a case to put it into "
Benedick dimisses Hero and speaks of Beatrice- first signs of feelings.



Opposes Both Beatrice and Benedick.