60 minutes; 2 questions; 40 marks; 20% of GCSE
Respond concisely…
Antonio begins by admonishing Leonato for giving in to his overwhelming grief, warning him that such behaviour could harm him physically and emotionally. Antonio urges Leonato to moderate his sorrow and approach the situation with more restraint.
Leonato, consumed by his grief over Hero's dishonour, rejects Antonio's counsel, stating that advice is as useless to him as "water in a sieve." He insists that only someone who has experienced similar suffering can offer him meaningful comfort.
Leonato elaborates on his frustration with those who offer philosophical or detached advice, arguing that such counsel is empty when the speaker has not endured comparable pain. He dismisses the ability of intellectuals or philosophers to truly understand or alleviate grief, using the example of their inability to endure even minor physical discomforts like a toothache.
Antonio persists in trying to console Leonato, cautioning him against directing all the harm inward. Instead, he encourages Leonato to take action against those who have wronged him and Hero, rather than allowing his grief to consume him.
Leonato is eventually persuaded by Antonio's reasoning. He resolves to confront Claudio, Don Pedro, and others who have dishonoured Hero, expressing his belief that Hero has been falsely accused and vowing to seek justice.