Much Ado About Nothing - Form, structure and language test questions - AQA

1

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

BENEDICK
She told me, not thinking I had been
myself, that I was the prince's jester, that I was
duller than a great thaw; huddling jest upon jest
with such impossible conveyance upon me that I stood
like a man at a mark, with a whole army shooting at
me. She speaks poniards, and every word stabs:
if her breath were as terrible as her terminations,
there were no living near her; she would infect to
the north star. I would not marry her, though she
were endowed with all that Adam bad left him before
he transgressed: she would have made Hercules have
turned spit, yea, and have cleft his club to make
the fire too. Come, talk not of her: you shall find
her the infernal Ate in good apparel.

What literary device does Shakespeare use in the line "She speaks poniards, and every word stabs"?

2

How does Shakespeare set up dramatic irony in this speech?

3

How does he emphasise the negative effect she has on him?

4

Read this extract from Much Ado About Nothing and answer questions 4-7 below.

BEATRICE [coming forward]
What fire is in mine ears? Can this be true?
Stand I condemn'd for pride and scorn so much?
Contempt, farewell! and maiden pride, adieu!
No glory lives behind the back of such.
And, Benedick, love on; I will requite thee,
Taming my wild heart to thy loving hand:
If thou dost love, my kindness shall incite thee
To bind our loves up in a holy band;
For others say thou dost deserve, and I
Believe it better than reportingly.
EXIT

How does Beatrice's opening question show her disbelief?

5

How does Shakespeare show Beatrice's change of heart?

6

What does the "holy band" Beatrice refers to represent?

7

Where does this extract fit in the overall structure of the play?

8

Read this extract from Much Ado About Nothing and answer questions 8-10 below.

DOGBERRY
Comparisons are odorous: palabras, neighbour Verges.
LEONATO
Neighbours, you are tedious.
It pleases your worship to say so, but we are the
poor duke's officers; but truly, for mine own part,
if I were as tedious as a king, I could find it in
my heart to bestow it all of your worship.
LEONATO
All thy tediousness on me, ah?
DOGBERRY
Yea, an 'twere a thousand pound more than 'tis; for
I hear as good exclamation on your worship as of any
man in the city; and though I be but a poor man, I
am glad to hear it.

How does Dogberry's language create comedy?

9

How does Dogberry show his status in relation to Leonato?

10

How else does Shakespeare use language to create comedy in this section?