The Structure of II iii in Shakespeare´s Much ado about nothing

Abstract or Introduction

William Shakespeare is said to have written his mature comedy Much Ado
About Nothing around 1600.The “nominal main plot”1 of the play is about the
love affair between Hero and Claudio. Nevertheless, the developing Benedick-
Beatrice-liaison, which was rather supposed to be a funny subplot, has a greater
effect on the spectators. The scene in Leonato´s orchard is important and can be
characterized as the decisive point in this context because in the garden, the
foundation stone of the love relationship is laid. Therefore, lots of articles and
books have been written on this particular scene. In this term paper, I want to find
out why the events in the orchard are so fascinating and gripping. 1. Structure of the scene
After having instructed a servant to bring him a book, Benedick speaks aloud
his thoughts on love. He soliloquises that Claudio has changed his behaviour
because he is in love. Benedick is not capable of understanding how a woman can
alter the personality of a man in this extent. He swears to himself that love “shall
never make (him) such a fool”2. In this monologue, Benedick also presents a list
of the qualities which he expects of a perfect woman. These demands seem to be
an unreachable aim for he is really hard to please. Benedick puts up high
standards as a result of his very distinct self-confidence and pride. His soliloquy is
interrupted when Don Pedro, Leonato and Claudio come into the orchard.
Benedick wants to avoid the meeting with them by hiding “in the arbour”3. [...]

1 J.R. Mulryne,Shakespeare:Much Ado About Nothing(London: Edward Arnold Ltd.,1965),p.9.
2 Mary Berry and Michael Clap, ed.,Shakespeare:Much Ado About Nothing(Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press,1998), p.49, 21.
3 Mary Berry and Michael Clap, ed.,Shakespeare:Much Ado About Nothing, p.49 l 28.