Much Ado About Nothing Script

Much Ado About Nothing Script

ACT 1
Scene 1

Enter Beatrice, Hero, and Leonata with a Messenger

Leonata: (holding a letter) It appears that Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon, and his army are coming to Mesina tonight. (turns to the messenger) (reads the letter a bit more) It also seems that Don Pedro has given honors to a young man from Florence named Claudio.
Messenger: Claudio has greatly exceeded the expectations placed on him, and Don Pedro has awarded him accordingly. Though he may look like a lamb, his fighting prowess is like a lion's. He shouldn't be judged from his looks.
Leonata: His uncle here in Messina would be pleased to know this.
Messenger: He was when I delivered the messaged to him.
Beatrice: (referring to the messenger) Has Senior Montanto returned from battle?
Messenger: There's no such person with that name, ma'am.
Hero: If I may, I think my cousin meant Senior Benedick of Padua.
Messenger: Ah yes, he did return. (pause) It seems that Don Pedro has arrived.

Enter Don Pedro, Claudio, Benedick, and Don John

Dono Pedro: Senior Leonata, I thank you wholeheartedly for hosting my whole army. It must be such a burden to you, yet you accepted us with open arms.
Leonata: Your grace, your presence is hardly a burden. I do hope that you find your month of stay here pleasant.
Don Pedro: (turns to Hero) I assume that this is your daughter.
Leonato: (jokingly) Well, that’s what my wife says.
Don Pedro: She looks so much like you.
Leonata: They tell me that often.

Benedick: (spots Beatrice) Ah, Lady Disdain, I see that you’re still alive and well.

Beatrice: Your own presence serves as nothing but fuel to my disappointment.
Benedick: Only you would say that
Benedick: I am glad I don’t care.(pause) But it is certain I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted and Id say that I know  myself very well that I do not own a hard heart for, truly, I love none.
Beatrice: -scoffed- It is not indeed that, Such a happiness to women that they wouldnt have been troubled by a noxious suitor. I am grateful to be none of yours. Id rather see my dog barks at a crow than a man swears he loves me.

Exit All with the exception of Benedick and Claudio

Benedick: (about to leave but was grabbed on the arm by Claudio)
Claudio: Did you see the daughter of Senior Leonata?
Benedick: I did.
Claudio: Isn't she a well-mannered young lady?
Benedick: Would you prefer me to sugarcoat my opinions about this or not?
Claudio: Please be serious about this
Benedick: She's too short to be praised as tall, too dark to be praised as fair, and too small to be praised greatly. If she looked differently, she'd be called ugly. To be concise, I don't like her. (pause) Please tell me that you're not thinking of marrying her after you swore an oath to not get married
Claudio: If Hero were to be my wife, I gladly will break that oath. She's the most wonderful woman I've ever laid eyes on.
Benedick: I'm still young enough to not need spectacles yet I don't see what you're seeing. If her cousin wasn't such a spitfire, she'd be a much better candidate for marriage than her with how intelligent and beautiful she is. Honestly, will I ever see a man in his sixties and still be a bachelor? I guess not, since every man here has been swindled into this eternal agony called marriage. Oh look, Don Pedro has came back for you.

Enter Don Pedro

Don Pedro: What kept you from following us?
Benedick: Your highness would have to force me to tell.
Don Pedro: Your loyalty to me requires you to
Benedick: Claudio, look, I can keep secrets like a mute, but this is an exception. (turn to Don Pedro) He's in love. With whom you may ask? The answer is as short as she is, Hero, Leonato's daughter.
Don Pedro: She's a good person and definitely worthy of your love.
Claudio: Benedick doesn't share the same sentiments.
Benedick: I spoke honestly when I said that it's a horrible idea.
Claudio: I feel like I love her.
Benedick: I, on the other hand, don't feel how she's worthy of your 'love'. Nothing can melt that opinion off of me. Even if I were to be burned on a stake, I'd still retain it. I may be conceived and raised by a woman, and I think her for that, but I am not willing to be that fool who gets cheated on by their wife. In conclusion, I'll live my life as a bachelor.
Don Pedro: I swear, before I die, I will make you sick with love.
Benedick: With fever, sure, but never with that. If you can prove to me that I'll ever be that sick in love that I can't be brought to my senses by a few rounds of beer, feel free to use me as target practice.
Don Pedro: I'll be sure to remember this. Only time can tell, my friend.
Benedick: You might as well make me hold a sign saying, "Benedick the Married Man"
Don Pedro: While waiting for that to happen, hurry to Leonata and give him my respects. Tell him that I'll be there during dinner.
Benedick: I'll be taking my leave now then.

Exit Benedick

Claudio: My lord, would you be kind enough to help me out?
Don Pedro: Gladly, simply tell me what you need.
Claudio: Before we left for war, I saw her, Hero. I liked what I saw, but my mind at that time was filled with the task at hand. Alas, now that I'm back, that space in my head where I fill it with war plans is now full of soft and delicate feelings for her. I must have liked her before I left.
Don Pedro: Look, if you really love the beautiful Hero, I will speak to her father about the matter and convince him to promise Hero to you.
Claudio: You truly are like no other, taking care of this right away. I had expected that I needed to explain my feelings with a longer story.
Don Pedro: There is no need for that. Tonight, there will be a costume party with dancing. I will disguise myself as you and profess "my" feelings to her. Then talk to her father afterwards, and in the end, she's yours! Let's get started right away.

Exit Both

Scene 2

Enter Don John and Conrad

-skip (beginning of scene 3 + Plotting of brought to you by Don John)-
//Don johns friend, Conrade, came into Don John’s quarters and found him standing, staring out.//
Conrade: What a good year my lord-pause- Why are you in such a moody....mood.
Don John: -blank emotionless face- -rusky voice- there is no ocassion that breeds sadness in me therefore I am doing just a bit fine.
Conrade: you should hear this one out-
Don John: and what good does it bring?
Conrade: if not immediately, atleast will slowly help you out I promise.
Don John: You said youre pure sournes and evil-pause- I am surprise you are giving me...advices.. I cant conceal what I am, So Ill just do as I like. Here it goes. Ill be sad when I have reason, laugh at anyone’s “joke”, eat when I’m hungry, and not wait for anyone else: sleep when I’m tired, and not mind anyone else’s business, and not cling to anyone’s back to keep in with him.
Conrade: Agreed, But, you must be in care until youre more independent. Youve been antagonistic towards your brother lately,and hes only just taken you back, You wont be in good terms with him unless you show goodwill.It is important to give them a little something first to earn A REWARD. –Suggestively looking at him-
Don John: Id rather be a dog- rose growing in the garden than be a rose in his grace.Id rather be disliked than to put up an act to be liked . Im a straight forward vilain-pause- Ive been muzzled,hubbled so i left undecided not to sing in my cage. If I werent, I would bite and do as I like. So now, let me be what I am and dont try to change me.
Condrade: Can you do something about your discontent?
Don John: I- looks behind- I am cultivating...-heard someone approaching- Whos this?
– Borachio exist-
Don John: What?
Boraicho: I have a news to tell.. hmmm. About the intended marriage of Leonatos daughter.. Leonotos quite entertaining your brother royally my lord.
Don John: ...*straightened posture and shrugs nonexistent dirt on pants* Is it something I can use to make mischief with?What kind of fool –elevated voice- is he whos betrothing himself to such noise?
Bon:. Your brothers right hand man, my lord.
Don John: Who? The most exquisite Claudio?
Bon: exactly, sire

_________________ends Act I-________________