Much Ado about Nothing Notes | Objects/Places

Messina: Messina is a city in Sicily, Italy where the play takes place. It is very serene, joyous, and friendly. Don Pedro comes from Arragon while Claudio comes from Florence and Benedick from Padua. There are no battles or wars and the soldiers relax with their friends in Messina.

Antonio and Leonato's orchard: Many of the events of the play occur in Antonio and Leonato's orchard. Beatrice and Benedick are tricked into falling in love with one another in the orchard and many great conversations occur there, as well.

Leonato's House: Everyone stays in Leonato's house during the visit. Since Leonato is the governor of Messina, the house must be large and wealthy.

The gaol: Borachio and Conrade are taken to the gaol (jail) to be examined by Dogberry and the sexton. They admit to their crime in the gaol.

masks: Masks are worn by many characters during the course of the play. The men are masked at the party in the beginning of the play so that the women will not know who they are, while the women are masked at the final wedding ceremony so that they men cannot see their faces. These masks illustrate the idea of how things and people can be deceiving and are not always as they appear to be.