Cast of Characters Don Pedro Prince of Arragon Hero Daughter of Leonato Don John Don Pedro's brother Margaret Hero's servant Borachio Don John's follower Ursula Hero's servant Conrade Don John's follower Dogberry A constable Leonato Governor of Messina Claudio A lord of Florence Antonio Leonato's brother Benedick A lord of Padua Friar Francis Beatrice Niece of Leonato
Our Setting 585 Much Ado About Nothing is set in the Italian town of Messina Messina is a port on the northeastern tip of the island of Sicily Italy It is an ancient city first mentioned in 730 BC From the fifth century BC until 241 BC Messina was occupied by Greeks Carthaginians and Syracusans In 241 BC Messina gained independence and became an ally of Rome For many years there was peace After the fall of the Roman Empire Messina was conquered again Later the city was severely damaged when Byzantines conquered it in AD 535 In 1908 Messina was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake It was rebuilt with wide streets and the city is now an important port connected to the Italian mainland by a ferry
Outside the home of the governor of Messina Leonato DON PEDRO OF ARRAGON COMES THIS NIGHT TO MESSINA HOW MANY GENTLEMEN HAVE YOU LOST IN THIS ACTION BUT FEW OF ANY SORT A VICTORY IS TWICE ITSELF WHEN THE ACHIEVER BRINGS HOME FULL NUMBERS I PRAY YOU IS SIGNIOR MOUNTANTO RETURNED FROM THE WARS O HE'S RETURNED AND AS PLEASANT ÁS EVER HE WAS I KNOW NONE OF THAT NAME LADY MY COUSIN MEANS SIGNIOR BENEDICK OF PADUA You MUST NOT SIR MISTAKE MY NIECE THEY NEVER MEET BUT THERE'S A SKIRMISH OF WIT BETWEEN THEM
ALAS IN OUR LAST CONFLICT FOUR OF HIS FIVE WITS WENT HALTING OFF AND NOW IS THE WHOLE MAN GOVERNED WITH ONE WHO IS HIS COMPANION NOW HE HATH EVERY MONTH A NEW SWORN BROTHER GOD HELP THE NOBLE CLAUDIO DON PEDRO IS APPROACHED HE IS MOST IN THE COMPANY OF THE RIGHT NOBLE CLAUDIO оооооооо Jooboboos o o o o o ooo OOOOO U obdoc 100000000 7
