Study Questions
1. Who was victorious in the battle that preceded the opening of the play?

2. What is the relationship between Don Pedro, Claudio, and Benedick?

3. Why is the speech of Leonato, Don Pedro, and Claudio so rigid? What does their style tell us about their characters?

4. How does Beatrice cover up her concern for Benedick?

5. What simile does Beatrice use to describe Benedick's faith?

6. During their wordspar, what accusations do Benedick and Beatrice hurl on each other?

7. What is the greatest fear of Claudio and Benedick?

8. Have the characters met before?

9. What about Hero is of major concern to Claudio?

10. Which character reveals his misogyny? Is this misogyny real?

Answers
1. Prince Don Pedro of Aragon won the battle.

2. Both Claudio and Benedick fought bravely for the prince.

3. The speech of Leonato, Don Pedro, and Claudio shows their adherence to courtly manners and rituals. Their style betrays an addiction to convention.

4. Beatrice covers her concern for Benedick through her witty downgrading of him.

5. Beatrice states that Benedick wears his faith but as the fashion of his hat.

6. Benedict accuses Beatrice of being disdainful and Beatrice accuses Benedict of being a pernicious lover.

7. Both Claudio and Benedick fear becoming cuckolds.

8. Yes, they have met before.

9. Claudio is concerned about Hero's chastity.

10. Benedick reveals his misogyny. The misogyny is merely a whetstone for his wit.