Much Ado About Nothing, Act 2, Scene 3 summary

What happens

1. Benedick sends a boy for a book, mocks Claudio’s romantic transformation, lists his requirements for a wife, and hides.
2. Balthasar sings about men’s deceit, and Don Pedro requests music outside Hero’s window for the following night.
3. Knowing Benedick can hear them, Don Pedro, Leonato, and Claudio describe Beatrice’s supposed passion and fear of rejection.
4. The three leave after discussing a matching trap for Beatrice and arranging for her to summon Benedick to dinner.
5. Benedick believes their story, accepts their criticism, and decides to return Beatrice’s supposed love.
6. Beatrice delivers the invitation without warmth, but Benedick reads affection into her words and decides to obtain her portrait.

In this scene

What to notice

Benedick accepts the invented report and makes reciprocity his reason for changing. His confidence shows that the trap succeeds.

Quick check