Vocabulary in Much Ado About Nothing

A short trip made to carry out a specific task or deliver a message. Here used to mean any trivial mission, no matter how far or absurd, that would let someone avoid an unwanted conversation.

The place on the exact opposite side of the earth — the farthest imaginable distance away. Used here as comic exaggeration to mean somewhere impossibly remote.

A conversation or exchange of words between two or more people. In this period the word means simply talking together, not a formal meeting.

In Greek myth, a monstrous winged creature; used here as a sharp insult for a woman regarded as shrewish, fierce, and impossible to deal with.

A professional fool or clown kept to entertain a noble household with jokes and wit. Used here as a cutting put-down, implying someone is only good for cheap laughs.

False and damaging statements made about a person that harm their reputation. Here the word stresses that the insults are made-up and outrageous rather than true.

Provided or supplied with a quality, gift, or possession. Here it means furnished with wealth or virtues, as if given them as a permanent inheritance.

Broke a moral or divine law; sinned. The reference is to Adam's disobedience in the Garden of Eden, after which he lost his original paradise and wealth.

To arrange or shape events in a particular way so as to produce a desired outcome. Used here to mean manipulating circumstances to make a deception convincing.

Having the outward appearance of something without necessarily being that thing in reality. It signals that what is shown looks true but is actually a constructed illusion.

Certainty; a state of being completely sure about something. Here it means that manufactured jealousy will feel like solid, undeniable proof.

Judged and found guilty; strongly criticised or blamed. Here the speaker realises she has been publicly judged as guilty of pride and contempt by those around her.

Twisted or misshapen in a way that corrupts or distorts. Applied to fashion, it means that following trends warps and disfigures a person's true character.

An outward appearance or show that may not reflect the true inner reality. Here it means Hero looks honourable on the surface but Claudio claims that appearance is false.

Deep, bitter, long-lasting hatred or spite. Used here to describe the vicious malice behind a public accusation that is both cruel and unrelenting.

Not softened, lessened, or excused in any way; absolute and complete. It intensifies 'rancour,' showing the hatred is total with no mercy or qualification.

To deceive someone by keeping them in false hope; to string someone along with promises that are never meant to be kept.

Openly exposed and laid bare for all to see, with no attempt at concealment. Here it means the slander was broadcast publicly rather than whispered in private.

Consisting of false spoken statements that damage someone's good name. Here it describes the malicious lies that were spread about Hero and caused her ruin.

Lacking intelligence or depth of understanding; simple-minded. Used ironically to acknowledge that the supposedly dim-witted watchmen succeeded where clever people failed.