Much Ado About Nothing (Leonato Scrip)

Act 1 Scene 1

the letter states that don Pedro of Aragon will be arriving in messina this evening

Messenger: yes he is very close when I left he was only about nine miles away

how many gentlemen were killed in this most recent battle

Messenger: Very few were lost and none of any importance or ranking

a battle victory is twice as rewarding when few men are lost in the process the letter also states that don pedro is honoring a young man from florence named claudio

Messenger: The honor given to him by don Pedro is well deserved in battle claudio performed far beyond hid years and level of experience although he appears to be a lamb his actions proved equal to those of a lion I cannot do justice in telling all that he has accomplished

his uncle here in Messina will be extremely happy to hear of his accomplishments and honors

Messenger: I have delivered the letters to him already and he seems very happy. in fact he seemed so happy that his facial expression seemed greif-stricken

did he begin to cry

Messenger: he was sobbing

that in itself is a true sign of kindness and affection it is far better to cry for happiness than to find happiness in crying

Messenger: I don't know anyone by that name miss there wasn't anyone in the army that fits that description

who are you asking about niece

Beatrice: Well, at least tell me how many he has killed because I promised to eat all of his killing

honestly niece you criticize signor benedick far too much but i have no doubt whatsoever that he will get even with your mockery.

Beatrice: Certainly that is true he is stuffed much like a mannequin but as for what he is stuffed with well we are human after all

please ma’am do not misunderstand my niece there is a cheerful battle of wits between her and signor benedick every time the two of them meet

Beatrice: Do exactly that my good friend

you are never going to fall victim to this benedick disease niece

Don Pedro: Most of the world tends to avoid such an expensive burden, but you seem to welcome it

you could never be a burden in my house but when trouble leaves an easier life remains however when you leave sadness takes over and happiness is nowhere to be found

Don Pedro: This must be your daughter

yes her mother assured me that was true

Benedick: you must have had cause to doubt is that why you asked her

no signior benedick because at that time you were yet a child and I would have had no cause to doubt her

Don pedro: I know that he is not a fraud but truly speaks from his heart

if you promise my Lord you will not be called a liar allow me to welcome you Don John after rekindled my friendship with your brother the prince I owe you the same welcome

Don Pedro: that you I am not a man of many words but thank you nonetheless

please your honor will you leader the way

Act 1 Scene 2

hi brother where is my nephew your son is he preparing the music

Antonio: I just heard the strangest news something you would never have thought of

is it good news

Antonio: He intends to speak with you about it as well

is the servant who told you this reliable

Antonio: he is bright and honest I will send for him if you would like to speak with him yourself

no no lets pretend it is merely a dream until it actually happens but I will inform my daughter of it so that she will be better prepared with an answer would it be true go and tell her about it for me cousins you know what needs to be done excuse me please go with me I can use your help cousins be carefully during this busy time

Act 2 Scene 1

wasnt Don John at supper

Beatrice: one is much like a painting and says nothing while the other is like a spoiled child who chatters incessantly

in other words this man would be less talkative than signior benedick and less serious than Don john

Beatrice: woman on the world as long as he could win her approval

honestly niece you will never get a husband by speaking so harshly

Beatrice: but sends none to a too quarrelsome cow

then God will not send you horns because you are so quarrelsome

Beatrice: I'd rather sleep with a scratchy wool blanket

perhaps you will find a husband without a beard

Beatrice: from the bear trainer and lead his apes into hell as they say

you mean you would rather go into hell

Beatrice: she wont marry him and choose one herself

well niece I hope to see you married one off these days

Beatrice: heroic peice of dust and having to report to a lump of clay

daughter remember what I told you if the prince ask you to marry him you already know your answer

Beatrice: that speeds up faster and faster until the dancer falls over and dies

cousin you are extremely perceptive

Beatrice: I have a good eye uncle I can see clearly in daylight

our guest are arriving lets give them plenty of room

Don Pedro: name the wedding date and may God bring you much joy

count you have my permission to take my daughter and with her my fortunes the prince has composed this match and may God say amen to it

Beatrice: I was under that I was born cousins god bring you joy

niece will you look to the things that we discussed

Don Pedro: Honestly she has such a pleasant personality

theres very little sadness in her spirit my Lord the only time she is sad is when she sleeps and she is not really sad then either my daughter says that Beatrice often dreams of unhappiness and wakes with laughter

Don Pedro: she cannot stand the thought of finding a husband

definitely not she ridicules all her suitors right out of their suits

Beatrice: she would be an excellent wife from benedick

oh my Lord if they were married they would make themselves crazy with talking in less than a week

Claudio: tomorrow my lord time will pass so slowly until our love is bound with a ceremony

not until Monday my dear son that's only a week away and far too short a time to plan things as I would like

Don Pedro: and if you three will help when I ask we can make this happen

my lord I am with you in this although it will cost me my step for the next ten night

Claudio: I didn't think she was capable of loving any man

no neither did I it is wonderful that she seems to adore signior benedick but from the way she acts she seems to hate him

Benedick: is it possible is that what's happening am I hearing correctly?

honestly my lord I don't know what to think but the fact that she passionately loves him is beyond thinking

Claoudio: honestly that is likely

oh God pretending if she is pretending no one could do it with such passion and make it appear so heartfelt

Claudio: bait the hook well this fish is going to bite

what kind of passion when will take a seat you heard my daughter tell you how

Don Pedro: her personality would be unconquerable against sighns of affection

I would have sworn it too my lord especially toward benedick

Don Pedro: has she told Benedick that she likes him yet

no and she swears that she never will and it is tormenting her

Claudio: I've treated him discourteously

she says this when she begins to write shell be up twenty times a night sitting there in her slip until she has written a full page my daughter told us this

Claudio now that you mention a sheet of paper I remember a funny story that hero told us

oh you mean when hero found the page and discovered that it had Benedick and Beatrice written all over it

Claudio: thats the one

oh she ripped the letter into a thousand pieces and scolded herself for being so bold as to try to write someone that she knows would make a fool of her she says I measure him by my own personality and I would certainly make a fool of him if he wrote to me yes but I love him so I should write to him

Claudio: oh sweet Benedick God gave me patience

she did honestly my daughter said so this madness has overwhelmed her so deeply that hero is afraid that she will do something desperate to herself that Is very true

Don Pedro: in every thing except loving benedick

oh my lord when wisdom and passion go against each other in someone so young it is ten to one chance that passion will win I feel sorry for her and rightfully so because I am her uncle and her guardian

Don Pedro: please tell Benedick of it and listen to what he has to say

do you think that's a good idea

Don Pedro: all together or accepts them with a great Christian like apprehension

if he does fear God he must keep peace by necessity and if he breaks the peace he should enter into an argument with fear and trembling

Claudio: no never tell him let her figure it out with the help of some good advice

no that's impossible she will wear her heart out first

Don Pedro: look at himself ad see how unworthy he is of this good lady

my lord shall we be going dinner is ready

Benedick: gentlemen I am not my old self

so you say I think you are more serious

Don Pedro: what is that sigh for the toothache

it is obviously caused by a foul secretion or a tooth worm

Act 3 Scene 5

what would you like from me good neighbor

Dogberry: something that dearly decerns you

be quick please you can see that I am really busy

verges: yes it is the truth sir

what is it my good friend

Dogberry : compassion are odorous or use few words neighbor verges

neighbor you are tedious

Dogberry: as a king I would give it all to you your worship

you would give all your tediousness to me ah

Verges: and so am i

i would really like to know what you want to say

Dogberry:all men are not created equal good neighbor

indeed neighbor he falls far short compared to you

Dogberry these are gifts from god

i have to leave you

Dogberry: persons and we would like you to examine them this morning

examine them yourself and bring the results to me I am in a bug hurry now as it might appear obvious to you

Dogberry: that will be suffigance

have some wine before you go good bye

Messenger: my lord they are waiting for you to give your daughter to her husband

lets go I'm ready

Act 4 Scene 1

alright friar Francis be brief and keep the ceremony simple you can explain their marriage duties later

Claudio: no

hes to be married to her friar you have come here to marry her

Friar Francis: do you know of any count

i can answer that for him none

Claudio: will you give me this virgin your daughter

yes son as freely as God gave her to me

Claudio: her bluch is from guilt not form modesty

what do you mean my lord

Claudio: I will not be married married nor unite my soul to a guilty and immoral woman

please my lord if you have conquered her youthful resistance fr your own proof and taken her virginity

Hero: are you not feeling well my lord is that causing you to speak so wildly

dear prince why aren't you saying anything

Don Pedro: my dear friend to a common prostitute

are these things real or am I dreaming

Claudio: ask her to answer it truthfully

my child I order you to answer truthfully

Claudio: into harmful thoughts and always be grateful for that

isnt there anyone with a dagger for me

Beatrice: why hero uncle signior Benedick friar

oh fate do not spare her from this punishment death would be the kindest way to cover her shame that could ever happen

Friar Francis : take comfort lady

are you looking up

Friar Francis : yes why shouldn’t she 

why why isn't everything on earth shaming her can she deny the accusations that are proven so obvious with her blushing don't live hero don't open your eyes if I don't think that you would die quickly and believed that your spirits were strong enough to withstand your shame after this public scandal I would kill myself I am sorry that I had only one child and I blame nature for being so thrift what did I ever see that was so lovely about you I should have been more charitable and adopted a beggars child I could have denied that it was my child if it had shamed me like this but you were mine and loved you so much now she has fallen into a pit of ink that even the wide sea doesn't have enough water to wash her clean and too little salt to season her impure flesh

Beatrice : no I don't but honestly up until last night I've stayed in her room for that past twelve months

proof thats proof of that proves their accusations which were strong in the beginning are now indisputable would either of the two princes lie would Claudio lie the one who loved her so much so much that speaking of her uncleanness caused him to cry get away from her let her die

Friar Francis: or spirituality but his sweet lady is not guilty

friar this cannot be cant you see that the only dignity she has left is to not add lying to her list of sins for damnation she dosent deny the accusations why would you try to excuse her from something that appears so obvious

Benedick: whose strength lies in plotting wrongdoings

i don't know if they are telling the truth about her I will tear her apart with my bare hands but if they have erroneously dishonored her these gentlemen will find a man who is strong in both mind and body and with the ability in both wealth and choice of friends to help me pay them back completely

Friar Francis: everything in keeping with a real burial

what is going to be the result of all of this how is this going to help

Benedick: I will keep this just as secretly and as justly as you should

because I am so immersed in grief the smallest thread of hope will guide me right now

Antionio: if you go on like this you're going to kill yourself adding to your greif is not wide

please stop advising me which means as much to me as water in a sieve don't advise me or try to comfort me the only person who can comfort me Is someone who has been wronged like I have bring me a father who has experienced this level of sadness and grief over his child sins but there is no such man brother men can address grief and try comfort but those who have not experienced the pain cannot feel the depth of passion do not give me my sorrow is crying to loudly to hear what you have to say

Antonio: then it seems that men are not at all different than children

please leave me be I intend to be human

Antonio: don't endure all of this pain by yourself make those that have wronged you suffer as well

there now you are making sense of course I will do that my soul tells me that hero has been lied about claudio will heard about it and the prince and anyone else that disgraces her

Claudio: good day to both of you

have you heard my lords

Don Pedro: we are in a hurry leonato

in a hurry my lord well good bye my lord are you in such a hurry because it does not matter

Claudio: who wrongs him

indeed you wrong me you fake you go ahead and try to frighten me by placing your hand on your sword I'm not afraid of you

Claudio: truthfully I wasn't going to use my sword

hush up ma don't ever jeer or mock me I am telling you to your face Claudio you have wronged my innocent child and me that I am forced to set aside my old mans respectability with all of my grey hairs and sches of old age and challenge you to a duel i tell you that you have lied about my innocent child and your insults have broken her heart now she is buried with he ancestors in a tomb where there has never been a scandal besides hers all because of your vicious actions

Claudio: my vicious actions

yours Claudio yours I say

Don Predro: you are wrong old man

my lord my lord I'll prove his guilt on his body if he dares to accept my challenge despite his elegance fencing skills and swordplay his youth and air of manliness

Claudio: go away I will have nothing to do with you

do you think you can be rid of me that easily you have killed my child if you kill me boy then you will have a killed mane

Antonio: follow me

brother

Antonio: and wimps

brother anthony

Antonio: is all

but brother anthony

Don Pedro: she was accused of nothing that was untrue or unproven

my lord my lord

Don Pedro: I will not listen to you

no come brother lets go I will be heard

Verges : hand the sexton too

who is the villain let me see his eyes so that when I see another man that looks like him I can avoid him which of these is he

Broachio: if you want to know your deceiver loot at me

are you the servant that killed my innocent child with your slanderous words