First Things First 

Think about the title for a moment.  To Shakespeare's audience, "Nothing" would have been pronounced "noting" and meant more than just  "nothing."  The word also meant "to note" as to take notice of something, or "noting" as in musical notation.  Is the play just a little romance about "nothing" that is truly important?  What are we to think about the mis-use of "noticing" (eavesdropping, gossip, slander, mistaken views)?  Does music have a message for the audience? 

Act 1 - Falling In Love 

1. Claudio first mentions Hero in Act 1, Scene 1 "Benedick, didst thou note the daughter of Signior Leonato?" (1.1.158).  What is it about her that catches his interest?  Does he truly "fall in love at first sight?"
2. Claudio, Don Pedro (the Prince), and Benedick are great friends.  How do Don Pedro and Benedick react to Claudioís interest in Hero?  "Pals before Gals"? 
3. What is going on with Beatrice and Benedick?  She calls him Sir Mountanto; he calls her my dear Lady Disdain. Do you think they have met previously?  What is their relationship? 
4. Why does Don Pedro offer to woo Hero for Claudio? 
5. Leonato's brother overhears a conversation in Scene 2 and completely misunderstands the meaning.  What does he do with this mis-information, and what is the result of his action? 
6. In Scene 3, Don John proposes a plan to undermine the Princeís plans for Claudio and Hero.  Why does Don John care what happens to Claudio? 

Act 2 - You Can't Believe Everything You Hear 

1. When Don Pedro talks with Hero, are we certain he woos her for Claudio, and not for himself?  How is this conversation conducted?  Do we hear the entire conversation, or only a portion?  How are other conversations in this scene conducted?  Who are the eavesdroppers to the masked ball in Scene 1? 
2. Think about masks and what they might symbolize.  What happens when people wear a mask or costume to a party? 
3. Does Beatrice recognize Benedick behind the mask?  Does he THINK she recognizes him?  How does he react to their conversation, and what does this reveal about him? 
4. Why does Don John's plan against Don Pedro and Claudio fail?  Why does he continue plotting? 
5. Don Pedro succeeds in bringing together Claudio and Hero, and then turns his attention to uniting another couple?  Why is he so interested in everyone's love life? 
6. In Scene 3, Benedick retreats to the garden to think about love?  What is his reaction to Claudioís engagement to Hero? 
7. What is the message of Balthasarís song and how is it significant to the action of Scene 3? 
8. The Prince, Claudio, and Leonato carefully stage their conversation to make Benedick think that Beatrice is in love with him?  Why does Benedick believe what he hears? 

Act 3 - You Can't Believe Everything You See 

1. Don Pedro continues his plan to unite Beatrice and Benedick.  How does the conversation Beatrice overhears compare with what Benedick heard?  How do Hero, Margaret, and Ursula appeal to Beatrice's sense of belief? 
2. In Scene 2, Benedick appears to act like a courtly lover.  Can we believe his actions? 
3. Also in Scene 2, Don John informs his brother of Hero's dishonor; why is the Prince willing to believe Don John? 
4. What happens at the window?  Does the audience witness this scene?  How do you think this scene might be effectively staged? 
5. What is the purpose of Constable Dogberry and the Watch?  Do they understand each other?  Does Leonato understand them? 
6. Think about each of the deceptions presented thus far in the play.  Who planned each trick and why?  Was the trick successful?  Do you think the deception was ethical (good/acceptable or bad/unacceptable)? 

Act 4 - The Power of Words 

1. Claudio waits to denounce Hero publicly at the wedding.  Why?  and Why doesn't Hero defend herself?  Even Leonato does not defend his own daughter, but believes the accusations of Claudio and the Prince.  What does the importance men place on Hero's virtue tell us about women in this society? 
2. Beatrice is more vocal than Hero; how does she react to Hero's humiliation?  How do you think she would react if SHE were accused instead of Hero? 
3. The Friar and Beatrice seem to be the only ones who believe in Hero's innocence.  Examine the text for clues as to why they feel this way. 
4. Why does Benedick move away from his pals, Claudio and the Prince, to support Beatrice in the Friar's plan?  Is Beatrice's request, "Kill Claudio" understandable? 
5. In this act, the play moves from a legal wedding to a legal hearing.  The language of one scene is orderly but creates chaos, and the language of the other IS chaos but creates order.  What is Shakespeare telling us about language and how it is used? 

Act 5 - Happily Ever After? 

1. Leonato and Antonio try to challenge Claudio to a duel, but they are ignored.  When Benedick presents the challenge, the Prince and Claudio seem surprised.  What does this change in the menís relationship signify? 
2. When Dogberry brings in the prisoners Borachio and Conrade his explanation is still garbled and confusing; yet, he is able to bring out the truth.  Does this mean he is smarter than everyone else?  Or, is he just "an ass"? 
3. Claudio apologizes to Leonato and agrees to hang a memorial to Hero and to marry Leonato's niece.  Is it really fair for Leonato to continue the deception about Hero's death?  Why doesn't he just tell Claudio that she is alive? 
4. Think about the second wedding as The Test of Claudio ? he agrees to marry a woman he has never seen before, yet he fell in love with Hero "at first sight."  He is tossed back and forth like a piece of property; what does this notion of social status bring to mind? 
5. Beatrice and Benedick agree to marry out of pity to the other until they are shown their own sonnets and realize they really do love each other.  What will their marriage be like?  How do you think it might differ from Claudio and Hero's marriage? 
6. Let us not forget the Prince. . . he is all alone at the end of the play.  Recall how the play opened with news of Don Pedro's arrival in Messina accompanied by his soldiers.  Is his status unchanged or strengthened by his experience in Messina?