Much Ado About Nothing - Characters overview test questions - OCR

1

Read the extract from Much Ado about Nothing and answer questions 1-3.

BENEDICK
That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that she
brought me up, I likewise give her most humble
thanks: but that I will have a recheat winded in my
forehead, or hang my bugle in an invisible baldrick,
all women shall pardon me. Because I will not do
them the wrong to mistrust any, I will do myself the
right to trust none; and the fine is, for the which
I may go the finer, I will live a bachelor.
DON PEDRO
I shall see thee, ere I die, look pale with love.

What do we learn about Benedick in this section?

2

How does Shakespeare use language to present Benedick's character?

3

How does Shakespeare set up audience expectations in this section?

4

Read the following extract and answer questions 4-6 below.

DON JOHN
I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in
his grace, and it better fits my blood to be
disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob
love from any: in this, though I cannot be said to
be a flattering honest man, it must not be denied
but I am a plain-dealing villain. I am trusted with
a muzzle and enfranchised with a clog; therefore I
have decreed not to sing in my cage. If I had my
mouth, I would bite; if I had my liberty, I would do
my liking: in the meantime let me be that I am and
seek not to alter me.

What do we learn about Don John from this extract?

5

How does Shakespeare use language to present Don John?

6

How does Don John explain his situation?

7

Read the extract below and answer questions 7-10 below.

CLAUDIO
Sweet prince, you learn me noble thankfulness.
There, Leonato, take her back again:
Give not this rotten orange to your friend;
She's but the sign and semblance of her honour.
Behold how like a maid she blushes here!
O, what authority and show of truth
Can cunning sin cover itself withal!
Comes not that blood as modest evidence
To witness simple virtue? Would you not swear,
All you that see her, that she were a maid,
By these exterior shows? But she is none:
She knows the heat of a luxurious bed;
Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty.

How does Claudio refer to Don Pedro?

8

Why does he reject Hero?

9

How does Shakespeare use euphemistic language to imply that Hero has been unfaithful?

10

What does he suggest is the cause of Hero's blush?