Much Ado about Nothing Group
Question:
dchbowen4life
Student
High School - 9th Grade
Who is Signoir Montanto and what is his relationship to Beatrice (Act I, scene I)?
Answers:
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linda-allen Teacher
High School - 10th GradePosted by linda-allen on Monday December 3, 2007 at 7:46 AMBest answer as selected by question asker.
"Signior Mountanto" is what Beatrice calls Benedick when he arrives. This is her way of saying that Benedick is a ladies' man (see the discussion of "Knowing Aforehand," linked below). Beatrice and Benedick seem to enjoy insulting each other, but they are insults that soon turn into endearments when they realize they are in love.
Sources:
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sullymonster Teacher
High School - 11th GradePosted by sullymonster on Monday December 3, 2007 at 5:13 PMBest answer as selected by question asker.
His relationship to Beatrice is immediately established as one of a familiarity. If Beatrice had just referred to Benedick by his real name, than the audience would have no understanding of the level of knowledge they have of each other. This nickname lets us know that they not only know one another, but that there is some history invovled between the two. The first scene between the two of them will develop this back history further, by letting the audience know that Beatrice "knows Benedick of old." They could be old friends (their teasing is still too light to suggest they are enemies) or - as we learn later - a former romantic couple.
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bubble10pop Student
High School - 9th GradePosted by bubble10pop on Tuesday May 6, 2008 at 10:42 AMSignor Montanto is Benedick. she refers to him as thins because there is a 'merry war' between them and she calls him this to tease him