William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing

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William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing Act IV is the "crucial" scene whereby the two young lovers should marry; yet by the foul intrigue and planning of the Bastard John, are cruelly separated in a public display of her humiliation. Further more, the other "couple" in this play of comic mystery, finally declare their love for each other face to face. Two plans resulting from each of the two events are firstly, that Hero should be reported dead from grief, in order to establish the truth, and, secondly, that Benedick should challenge Claudio to a duel. At the beginning of Act four, Scene one, we immediately become aware that Leonato is displaying slight anxiety over the wedding ceremony and it seems he wants to fast track the procedure and get it over and done with. As the scene begins, Friar Francis asks Claudio "You come hither, my lord, to marry this Lady?" Claudio's response is a simple no. Leonato becomes unsettled by the Friar's disconcerting manner. He quickly replies "To be married to her: friar, you come to marry her." This is an example of Leonato's anxious behaviour. As the scene continues, Claudio's behaviour starts to become rather surprising and confusing. The other characters are taken aback by his manner but from the audience's point of view it is to be expected. Although it is soon made clear to the other characters that Claudio is upset and angry, he fails to pinpoint the reasons for his accusations. He speaks in a sarcastic tone, steps forward and to everyone's shock

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