# Scene II explained — Much Ado About Nothing

> Chapter companion for Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Dogberry, Verges, and the Sexton interrogate Conrade and Borachio in prison. The watchmen reveal Borachio's confession about Don John's plot to frame Hero, including the bribe of a thousand ducats and Claudio's public shaming of Hero. The Sexton notes that Don John has fled and Hero has died of grief, then orders the prisoners bound and brought to Leonato. Dogberry comically insists on being recorded as an ass after Conrade insults him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Folly and Comedy

Dogberry's malapropisms (e.g., 'dissembly' for assembly, 'opinioned' for pinioned) and his comedic insistence on being recorded as an ass highlight the chapter's humorous folly.

### Deception and Mistaken Identity

The watchmen's testimony reveals Don John's deception in framing Hero, and Borachio's confession exposes the plot's mechanics.

## Character check-ins

### Dogberry

Presides over the examination of the prisoners, comically misusing language and insisting on his authority.

### Verges

Assists Dogberry in the examination, echoing his malapropisms.

### Borachio

One of the prisoners; his confession about Don John's plot is revealed by the watch.

### Conrade

The other prisoner, who insults Dogberry by calling him an ass.

### Sexton

Leads the formal examination, records the confessions, and orders the prisoners to be brought to Leonato.

## Key lines

> Is our whole dissembly appeared?

Has our entire assembly appeared?

_Dogberry's malapropism for 'assembly'._

> Write down, that they hope they serve God: and write God first; for God defend but God should go before such villains!

Write down that they hope they serve God, and put God first; for God forbid that God should come after such villains!

_Dogberry's comedic insistence on proper order in writing._

> Flat burglary as ever was committed.

A clear case of burglary if ever there was one.

_Dogberry mislabels the crime of bribery as burglary._

> O villain! thou wilt be condemned into everlasting redemption for this.

Oh villain! You will be condemned to everlasting damnation for this.

_Dogberry confuses 'redemption' with 'damnation'._

> O that I were writ down an ass!

Oh, if only I were written down as an ass!

_Dogberry ironically wishes to have the insult recorded, underscoring his foolishness._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/much_ado_about_nothing_se/chapters