four

Much Ado About Nothing :)
1.1
Don Pedro returned from a victorious battle with fellow war heroes, Don John (the bastard), Benedick (lord of Padua), and Claudio (lord of Florence) to Messina, Italy. Leonato welcomed them to his house and had a private conversation with Don Pedro. Whilst that was going on, Benedick and Beatrice (leonato's niece) took up their battle of wits. They insulted each other about looks, personality, and intelligence. The battle was cut off when Don Pedro announced that he, Don John, Benedick, and Claudio will be staying at Leonato's for a month. Claudio then confessed to Benedick that he's in love with Hero (leonato's daughter). Benedick made fun of him and told Don Pedro when he came. Don Pedro then came up with a plan to be Claudio in the ball and confess his feelings to Hero.

1.2
Leonato came across his brother Antonio in his house. Antonio then told Leonato that his servant overheard Don Pedro ralking about confessing his love to Hero and ask her to marry him. As a father, Leonato was to go and tell Hero about what he has just heard so she could think about what her response to Don Pedro should be.

1.3
Elsewhere in the house, Don John was angry. Conrad, his servant had to remind him that if he wants to keep his recently, good relationship with his powerful brother, he needs to show a more cheerful face. Borrachio his other servant enters to tell him about the rumors he had just heard (about Don Pedro and Claudio). After hearing both rumors, Don John realizes what is actually going on. Don John, who hates Claudio for being so well respected, decides to use this information to cause trouble for Claudio.

three

Much Ado About Nothing

This play began with the announcement of Don Pedro's arrival to Messina. After Leonato welcomed Don Pedro to his house, Benedick and Beatrice had something else going on. They were fighting, but it was those kind of fights that OTPs do. They call it the battle of wits, but otp fights are definitely cooler. pssht.
The battle was one page long, and it was a great laugh. I didn't quite get it until we watched the scene in the movie though. Anyways, I didn't really get Beatrice's tone for the last line of the battle "You always end with a jade's trick. I know you of old" in the movie. She sounds pretty sad the argument is over. In our copy, the definition of the line makes it sound like a tease cause Benedick can't keep up with Beatrice.
Post battle of wits, Leonato welcomed Don John, the bastard to his house as well. Then everyone exits except for Benedick and Claudio ((i have a huge crush on claudio rn)). Claudio then declared his love for Hero, Leonato's daughter. They were cute too, I mean the way Claudio looked at her and what he said about Hero to Benedick was sweet.
The scene ended with a bit of chit chat between Don Pedro, Benedick, and Claudio.


happy birthday,
- astri