Comment on the significance of Act IV scene 1 to the rest of the play. How effective do you think it would be on stage?
             Act IV, scene 1 is the most significant scene in the play, where a sharp comedy turns to near tragedy. The scene can be split into three sections, the wedding, the friar's plan and Beatrice and Benedict's declaration of love. Various sub plots lead up to this scene and are entangled in it. For example, the impending marriage, the proposed shaming of Hero and the relationship of Beatrice and Benedict. The main characters are split into two groups with different expectations of the wedding. Claudio, Don John and Don Pedro all believe that Claudio will shame Hero and the wedding will end in tragedy. However, Hero, Beatrice, Leonato and the friar all expect the wedding to be a joyful occasion.
             Don John plans to prevent the wedding of Hero and Claudio by allowing Hero to be falsely accused of meeting another man the night before the wedding. It is Claudio he wishes to harm because he is jealous of him, he calls him,
             "That young start-up" and says, "if I can cross him any way, I bless myself every way."
             This conspiracy is known to the audience, but not to the principal players until later on. This adds suspense, which leads to anticipation and the holding of the audience's interest.
             The wedding of Hero and Claudio was planned after the couple fell in love at first sight. Audience expectation of a romantic scene turns to great surprise when the friar asks if there is any reason for the wedding not to take place. Claudio, instead of continuing with the marriage ceremony replies to Leonato, Hero's father, that he should,
             Then, much to everyone's shock, he describes Hero as a "rotten orange" who is guilty of a liaison the previous night with another man. Leonato believes his daughter is guilty and "the story is printed in her bloo...