Example lesson 1: Much Ado About Nothing Athena Pitsillis and Amar Kang, Canons High School

Much Ado About Nothing Act 1, Scene 1 To understand Act 1, Scene 1 of the play. To be able to translate parts of the play into modern English.

Benedick & Beatrice We’re going to watch Act 1 Scene 1 where Beatrice and Benedick insult each other. How would you describe the relationship between Benedick and Beatrice? Let’s now read this extract and annotate it: Lines 86 – 107: ‘I wonder that you will still be’…to…‘I know you of old.’

BENEDICK What, my dear Lady Disdain. are you yet living BENEDICK What, my dear Lady Disdain! are you yet living? BEATRICE Is it possible disdain should die while she hath such meet food to feed it as Signior Benedick? Courtesy itself must convert to disdain, if you come in her presence. Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certain I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted: and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart; for, truly, I love none. A dear happiness to women: they would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor. I thank God and my cold blood, I am of your humour for that: I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.

BENEDICK God keep your ladyship still in that mind BENEDICK God keep your ladyship still in that mind! so some gentleman or other shall 'scape a predestinate scratched face. BEATRICE Scratching could not make it worse, an 'twere such a face as yours were. Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher. A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours. I would my horse had the speed of your tongue, and so good a continuer. But keep your way, i' God's name; I have done. You always end with a jade's trick: I know you of old.

How do you think the characters would perform these lines and why? Benedick & Beatrice Now we’re going to think about how we would direct this scene ourselves: http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/discovery-space/staging-it How do you think the characters would perform these lines and why?

Benedick vs. Beatrice In pairs, translate the conversation into modern English. Which version sounds better? Why? How do people insult each other nowadays? Did you notice any language techniques we learnt about that Shakespeare uses? Do Beatrice or Benedick seem like any Shakespearean stock characters?