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Much Ado About NothingPlay by William Shakespeare

Much Ado About Nothing in modern English, scene by scene

17 scenes · the original text and a plain modern English rendering, side by side. Free, no sign-up.

About this translation

Every scene of Much Ado About Nothing is set out twice: William Shakespeare’s words on one side, and on the other a plain modern English rendering of the same lines, in the same order. It is a way to read the original, not a replacement for it — the rendering says what the text says, and the text is the thing you quote.

Line numbers count the verse lines of each scene in the public-domain Project Gutenberg edition these pages are set from, so they may not match the numbering in a printed edition.

Act 1

Act 1 summary and analysis →
  1. Act 1, Scene 1 — Before Leonato’s House.I see from this letter that Don Pedro of Arragon is coming to Messina tonight.
  2. Act 1, Scene 2 — A room in Leonato’s house.Well, brother? Where is my nephew, your son? Has he arranged this music?
  3. Act 1, Scene 3 — Another room in Leonato’s house.What on earth, my lord! Why are you so immeasurably sad?

Act 2

Act 2 summary and analysis →
  1. Act 2, Scene 1 — A hall in Leonato’s house.Wasn't Count John here at supper?
  2. Act 2, Scene 2 — Another room in Leonato’s house.So it's settled: Count Claudio is going to marry Leonato's daughter.
  3. Act 2, Scene 3 — Leonato’s Garden.Boy!

Act 3

Act 3 summary and analysis →
  1. Act 3, Scene 1 — Leonato’s Garden.Good Margaret, run to the parlour. There you'll find my cousin Beatrice talking with the…
  2. Act 3, Scene 2 — A Room in Leonato’s House.I'm only staying until your marriage is completed, and then I'm off to Arragon.
  3. Act 3, Scene 3 — A Street.Are you good men and true?
  4. Act 3, Scene 4 — A Room in Leonato’s House.Good Ursula, wake my cousin Beatrice, and ask her to get up.
  5. Act 3, Scene 5 — Another Room in Leonato’s House.What do you want with me, honest neighbour?

Act 4

Act 4 summary and analysis →
  1. Act 4, Scene 1 — The Inside of a Church.Come, Friar Francis, keep it short: just the simple marriage ceremony, and you can go…
  2. Act 4, Scene 2 — A Prison.Has our whole dissembly turned up?

Act 5

Act 5 summary and analysis →
  1. Act 5, Scene 1 — Before Leonato’s House.If you keep on like this, you'll kill yourself. It isn't wise to back up grief like this…
  2. Act 5, Scene 2 — Leonato’s Garden.Please, sweet Mistress Margaret, earn my thanks by helping me get a word with Beatrice.
  3. Act 5, Scene 3 — The Inside of a Church.Is this Leonato's tomb?
  4. Act 5, Scene 4 — A Room in Leonato’s House.Didn't I tell you she was innocent?