60 minutes; 2 questions; 40 marks; 20% of GCSE

Scene 1

Part 1

• Leonato instructs Friar Francis to proceed quickly with the marriage ceremony, suggesting that the details can be addressed later.
• Friar Francis confirms with both Claudio and Hero their intent to marry, asking if there are any impediments to the union.
• Claudio unexpectedly refuses the marriage, creating tension in the scene.
• Claudio begins to accuse Hero, claiming she is dishonourable and unchaste, and refers to her as a "rotten orange."
• Benedick interjects briefly with humour, but the seriousness of Claudio's accusations continues.
• Claudio and Don Pedro assert that Hero was seen speaking with a man at her chamber window the previous night, implying her infidelity.
• Hero denies the accusations, maintaining her innocence and asking how she could be reproached.
• Don Pedro, Claudio, and Don John reinforce the allegations, stating they witnessed compromising behaviour.
• Leonato, shocked and distraught, questions whether the accusations could be true and contemplates his own daughter's dishonour.
• In the ensuing chaos, Hero faints, overwhelmed by Claudio's public denunciation.
• Beatrice expresses concern for Hero, questioning why she has collapsed.
• Don John, Don Pedro, and Claudio exit the scene, leaving Hero and her family to deal with the fallout.

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Part 2

• Benedick inquires about Hero’s condition, and Beatrice expresses her concern, believing Hero to be dead.
• Leonato laments Hero’s perceived shame and wishes for her death, equating it with an escape from dishonour.
• Hero begins to recover, prompting Friar Francis to offer comfort, but Leonato continues to express despair and anger, doubting Hero’s innocence based on the accusations against her.
• Beatrice passionately defends Hero, declaring her cousin has been wronged.
• Benedick questions Beatrice about Hero’s actions on the previous night, and Beatrice confirms she was not Hero’s bedfellow that night, though she had been for the past year.
• Leonato accepts this as further confirmation of Hero’s guilt and expresses disbelief that Claudio, Don Pedro, and Don John could all be mistaken in their accusations.
• Friar Francis intervenes, asserting that Hero’s demeanour and appearance suggest her innocence. He argues that the accusations are a result of a misunderstanding or deliberate deceit.
• Hero vehemently denies the accusations, swearing her innocence and offering her life as proof of her honour.
• Friar Francis proposes a plan to feign Hero’s death, suggesting that the resulting remorse and pity will lead to the discovery of the truth and restore Hero’s reputation.
• Leonato consents to the friar’s plan, despite his grief and uncertainty about the outcome.
• Friar Francis explains that the perception of Hero’s death will prompt Claudio to reflect on her virtues and regret his actions, ultimately leading to a resolution.
• Benedick offers his support to Leonato, pledging to act with discretion and fairness in handling the situation.
• The group exits to implement the friar’s plan, leaving Benedick and Beatrice alone on stage.

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Part 3

• Benedick approaches Beatrice and notices her sorrow, asking if she has been weeping all this time. Beatrice admits she has been and will continue to do so.
• Benedick expresses belief that Hero, Beatrice's cousin, has been wronged, showing his support for Beatrice's perspective.
• Beatrice implies admiration for someone who would defend Hero, hinting at her desire for action against the injustice.
• When Benedick asks if a man could right the wrong, Beatrice challenges him by stating that it is indeed a man's duty, but not his specifically.
• Benedick confesses his love for Beatrice, declaring, "I do love nothing in the world so well as you." Beatrice responds ambiguously, neither fully denying nor affirming her feelings at first.
• After further prodding, Beatrice admits her love for Benedick, claiming she loves him with all her heart.
• Benedick offers to do anything for Beatrice, and she demands that he "Kill Claudio," testing his loyalty and love for her.
• Initially, Benedick hesitates, refusing to kill Claudio, but Beatrice accuses him of lacking love and courage. She passionately laments the injustice done to Hero and the lack of action from men.
• Beatrice expresses her frustration with the dishonourable behaviour of men, lamenting that she cannot take action herself as a woman.
• Benedick, moved by Beatrice's words and determination, ultimately agrees to challenge Claudio to defend Hero's honour, showing his growing commitment to Beatrice and her cause.
• Before leaving, Benedick reassures Beatrice of his love and asks her to comfort Hero while he takes on the task of challenging Claudio.

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Scene 2

Part 1

• Dogberry and Verges enter with Sexton, the watchmen, and the prisoners, Conrade and Borachio.
• Dogberry mistakenly refers to the assembly as a "dissembly," showcasing his lack of education.
• Sexton asks which individuals are the offenders, and Dogberry mistakenly identifies himself and Verges as the malefactors before clarifying.
• Dogberry questions Borachio and Conrade for their names and has them recorded, incorrectly addressing Conrade as "Master Gentleman Conrade."
• Dogberry asks if the prisoners serve God, and upon their affirmative response, insists on recording this detail, prioritising its inclusion as if it proves their villainy.
• Borachio and Conrade deny being false knaves, but Dogberry continues to accuse them of dishonesty in his bumbling manner.
• Sexton, observing Dogberry's incompetence, directs him to call forth the watchmen as witnesses.
• The first watchman testifies that Borachio had said Don John was a villain.
• Dogberry orders this recorded, mistakenly interpreting it as perjury to call a prince’s brother a villain.
• The second watchman testifies that Borachio received a thousand ducats from Don John to falsely accuse Hero and disgrace her.
• The watchmen further reveal that Count Claudio intended to shame Hero publicly and refuse to marry her based on this false accusation.
• Dogberry, misunderstanding the severity of the crimes, calls this "flat burglary."
• Sexton concludes that the evidence confirms the accusations and reveals that Don John has fled, Hero was falsely accused and rejected, and that she has died from grief.
• Sexton instructs the constables to bind Borachio and Conrade and bring them to Leonato for further examination.
• As Conrade insults Dogberry by calling him a "coxcomb," Dogberry becomes fixated on the insult and demands it be recorded.
• Conrade escalates by calling Dogberry an "ass," prompting a comedic tirade from Dogberry, who laments that it has not been officially written down that he is an ass.
• Dogberry defends his dignity, proclaiming himself a wise and respectable officer, householder, and law-abiding citizen.
• The scene ends with Dogberry ordering the prisoners to be taken away, still rambling about being called an "ass."

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