Reading Journal

Act 3-5

• Hero and Ursula are discussing Benedick's love for Beatrice whilst Beatrice is hiding and eavesdropping
• Don John and Don Pedro telling Claudio of Hero's supposed 'disloyalty'. 
• Dogberry is introduced - we begin to understand he is not wise 
• Watchmen hear Borachio and Conrade talking of the scheme, they are arrested
• Dogberry tries to tell Leonato what the watchmen have told him but because he is dim doesn't actually tell him anything
• Claudio humiliates Hero in front of entire church 
• Why does Claudio do this? Perhaps he does it out of blind fury, because he truly loves her, he is too distraught to function properly. Perhaps he doesn't love her at all, and wishes to regain his title as a vigilant hero in front of his companions. 
• Why doesn't Hero defend herself? Perhaps she feels her voice will not be heard; she has a group of men talking at her, telling her she has done what she is being accused of. Perhaps it is to do with her status in the play; not a significantly strong character
• Why does Leonato feel such sudden resentment toward his daughter? E.g - 'Death is the fairest cover for her shame', 'Do not live, Hero, do not open thine eyes'. Perhaps this is shameful to his name, an embarrassment.
• Why do the other characters seem so set on Beatrice and Benedick falling in love? Perhaps to relieve stress from the war, it shows mockery of Benedick and Beatrice; they are so sure they hate each other but now they are being proved wrong.
• Why does no one ask Hero where she was the night she is being accused of cheating? Perhaps because she is a woman, her voice is invaluable