Much Ado About Nothing - Act 1 scene 1

This PowerPoint lesson resource guides students who have explored an introduction to Act 1 in the previous lesson through more detail of Act 1 scene 1. In particular the language exchanges between Beatrice and Benedick are studied more closely and then contrasted with the way in which Claudio speaks of his love for Hero. The role of Don Pedro is considered along with the developing plot comparisons between the two pairs of lovers/lovers-in-denial. Thought is given to the context behind marriage and the presentation of the ideal woman of the time (as evidenced in the language of both Benedick and Claudio). The lesson closes with a series of questions, an exercise on the the significance of appearance in the ideal woman and then three exam-style questions to give students insight into the ways their learning needs to develop to respond formally in examinations. 19 slides. Best used with the previous PowerPoint lesson ‘Much Ado About Nothing, An Introduction to Act 1.’