Brick Shakespeare: The Comedies—A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Taming of the Shrew (53 page)

FRIAR FRANCIS

DOGBERRY, a Constable

VERGES, a Headborough

A SEXTON

HERO, daughter to Leonato

BEATRICE, niece to Leonato

MARGARET, waiting gentlewoman attending on Hero

URSULA, waiting gentlewoman attending on Hero

FIRST WATCHMAN

SECOND WATCHMAN

SEACOLE

ACT I. Scene I (82–139).

M
uch Ado About Nothing
begins with a messenger carrying a letter to the governor of Messina, Leonato. The letter explains that after a long battle, Don Pedro (the Prince of Aragon) and his men will be arriving to Leonato’s home to celebrate their victory. The letter mentions that a Florentine soldier named Claudio—who was given special honors for his role in the battle—will be among the army men. Leonato’s daughter, Hero, and his niece, Beatrice, have been off to the side listening to the exchange with the messenger. Beatrice chimes in, asking the messenger about a particular soldier named Benedick. She proceeds on a long rant about how much she dislikes him, which only serves to prove the opposite. The army of men arrives on the scene, including Don Pedro, Claudio, Benedick, Balthasar, and Don John, Don Pedro’s illegitimate half-brother, whom they call “The Bastard.”

DON PEDRO

Good Signior Leonato, you are come to meet your trouble: the fashion of the world is to avoid cost, and you encounter it.

LEONATO

Never came trouble to my house in the likeness of your grace: for trouble being gone, comfort should remain; but when you depart from me, sorrow abides and happiness takes his leave.