SAMPLE QUIZ ON MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
1. Because romantic love is so important in this play, most of the language is in verse. True -- False
2. David Stevenson, who wrote the introduction to the Signet edition of this play, calls Benedict "a misogynist." Please explain: _______________________________
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3. If you were cuckolded by your wife, what, according to folklore, would happen to your head? _____________________________________________________
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4. What does Beatrice mean when she learns of Benedict's conduct in battle and asks, "How many hath he killed and eaten in these wars? But how many hath he killed, for indeed I promised to eat all of his killing?" _____________________
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5. In the opening scene the only point Beatrice and Benedict agree upon is what?
A.) Claudio's nobleness B.) Hero's beauty C.) Their unsuitability for love D.) The role of women in that time E.) None of the above
6. The relationship between Don Pedro, Claudio and Benedict is very formal and ritualized, as befits a monarch and his subjects. T -- F
7. In the opening scene when Claudio and Don Pedro discuss Claudio's love for and wish to marry Hero, how does the form of the language change from what had come before and why? _______________________________________________
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8. Here is the answer: "Not till God make men of some other metal than earth. Would it not grieve a woman to be overmastered with a piece of valiant dust?" Who speaks this and what was the question? _______________________________________
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9. Leonato and his brother Antonio treat Beatrice's opinion of love and marriage with great seriousness and urge Hero to learn from her. T -- F
10. When Beatrice dances with Benedict in disguise what is the principal accusation she makes about him that seems to upset him the most? A.) That he has betrayed Claudio B.) That he is a coward in battle C.) That he is Don Pedro's jester. D.) That he is a cuckold E.) None of the above
11. When Benedict offers to go on "any embassage to the Pygmies," or any other improbable adventure at the ends of the earth, what is he trying to avoid? ________________________________________________________________
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12. Beatrice's answer is "I had rather have one of thy father's getting. Hath your grace ne'er a brother like you?" What was the question? ______________________
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13. Benedict never considers the possibility of marriage before he eavesdrops on Claudio and Don Pedro. T -- F
14. Who says, "The world must be peopled!" and what is it used to justify? ___________
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15. What is unusual about the language in the scene where Beatrice is fooled about Benedict's love? A.) It is in prose rather than verse. B.) It is in verse rather than prose, which characterized Benedict's gulling scene. C.) Beatrice speaks directly to her cousin, Hero, about Benedict's love. D.) Ursula reveals that she lusts for Benedict. E.) Beatrice doesn't understand what Hero's saying right away.
16. Thanks to excellent detective work by Dogberry and his associates on the Watch, Borachio and Conrade are apprehended. True -- False
17. After being gulled both Benedict and Beatrice claim that their changed behavior is, in part, the result of a physical ailment. True -- False
18. Why do Don Pedro and Claudio decide to publicly reveal and humiliate Hero at the wedding ceremony? ________________________________________________
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19. Who comes up with the idea of pretending Hero is dead in order to buy time to uncover the truth? A.) Leonato B.) Friar Francis C.) Beatrice D.) Benedict E.) Margaret
20. When Benedict declares his love to Beatrice, what does she ask him to do to prove the sincerity of that love? ____________________________________________
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21. According to Dogberry what was the most serious crime Conrade committed?
A.) He was in league with Don John. B.) He helped Borachio fool Claudio. C.) He did not report a crime. D.) He called Dogberry an ass. E.) He did not behave as a gentleman should.
22. Given their mental and linguistic capabilities what's ironic about the role Dogberry and friends play in solving the major crime in the play? ___________________
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23. Which of the following is not a task Leonato imposes on Claudio to atone for Hero's death? A.) Tell the citizens how innocent she was. B.) Mourn for her at the family tomb. C.) Marry Leonato's niece. D.) Fight a duel with Benedict
24. What is the reason Beatrice gives for finally agreeing to marry Benedict?
A.) She intends to cuckold him. B.) She wants to stay close to Hero.
C.) Don Pedro orders her to. D.) She's been told he has consumption. E.) All of these reasons
25. What was one of the ways Benedict disguised his presence from Pedro, Claudio and Leonato during the gulling scene in the Branagh film? _____________________
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26. (Extra Credit) What did you learn about the game of tennis in the course of this play? ________________________________________________________________
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