Choose one question from each act and write a paragraph in response (three paragraphs total). Before you select the question, make sure there are no questions left unanswered—you should respond to those first. This is a good reason to post early—you will have more choices available.
Act One
What is the backdrop for the arrival of Don Pedro and his men? Why is this significant to the plot of the play?
What is the substance of Don Pedro’s private conversation with the lovesick Claudio? Why is Don Pedro in such a hurry, do you think? Is it a good idea for him to woo in Claudio’s place? Why or why not?
How do we know that Beatrice and Benedick are in a “skirmish of wit”? Who seems to be winning? What is said that leads the audience to believe these two have a past, and why is that important, particularly when we reach Act 3 and Don Pedro’s “trick”?
Act Two
In what ways does this Act reveal Hero to be different from Beatrice, and why might that be true? Why does her uncle tolerate Beatrice’s insistence on remaining a “maid” but tell his daughter to accept Prince Pedro’s offer of marriage (should he make such an offer)?
Why does Beatrice tease Benedick at the party, and why is he so upset? What is she insinuating about him? Why does he care? Finally, why does Beatrice turn down Don Pedro’s offer of marriage?
What happens in this Act between Balthasar and Margaret and Ursula and Antonio? How are these events important to the rest of the play?
Act Three
In Act 3, we at last hear something from Hero. What does she say? How is she different when she is among other women than when she is in the company of her father and other men? How does scene one enhance our understanding of her character? Don’t forget to discuss scene 4.
In this Act, Beatrice and Benedick are “tricked” into falling in love. How does it happen, and why is it so easy? (Think about this one carefully).
Constable Dogberry and the Watch are introduced in this Act. These are civilians who are paid to patrol and stand guard—remember that Leonato, Hero’s father, is Messina’s governor. Why do you think Shakespeare introduces them here and why is Dogberry written to be so pompous and uneducated? (Appearances versus reality, perhaps?)
