Comedy vs Tragedy

Explain why the ending of the play proves that it is a comedy, and give specific examples from the play. What would have had to happen instead were this play a tragedy?

The ending of Much Ado About Nothing proves without a doubt that the play is a comedy. Why? Benedick and Beatrice end up together and so do Claudio and Hero. No one dies and all of the loose ends are tied up such as don John and his accomplices being caught. Plus, the story ends in a big party. Now if the play was to be a tragedy it would have ended with some or all of characters dying. No one would end up together and it would be very sad. 

Love as a theme in MAAD

What do you think that the theme of the play is? Remember, a theme is not just a word, it is a whole sentence that conveys the message that the author (Shakespeare) is trying to get across to the audience (you). Find three quotes from the play to support your assertion.

The theme in Much Ado About Nothing is how love affects the growth of the characters. All of the mains fall in love throughout the course of the story and the change is most evident in Benedick and Beatrice. "I'll tell thee what, prince: a college of witcrackers cannot flout me out of my humor. P. 97." With his humor meaning love, he has changed drastically in his ideology from before when he was swearing up and down that he would never marry. Beatrice also changes in this regard. "I would not deny you; but by this good day, I yield upon great persuasion, and partly to save your life, for I was told you were in a consumption. P. 97." She gives up her own livelihood to save Benedick because of her love for him. Claudio is changed immediately when he sees Hero. "In mine eye she is the sweetest lady I ever looked upon. P. 9." He is immediately struck.

Follow the thought

CLAUDIO
In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever I
looked on.
BENEDICK
I can see yet without spectacles and I see no such
matter: there's her cousin, an she were not
possessed with a fury, exceeds her as much in beauty
as the first of May doth the last of December. But I
hope you have no intent to turn husband, have you?
CLAUDIO
I would scarce trust myself, though I had sworn the
contrary, if Hero would be my wife.
BENEDICK
Is't come to this? In faith, hath not the world
one man but he will wear his cap with suspicion?
Shall I never see a bachelor of three-score again?
Go to, i' faith; an thou wilt needs thrust thy neck
into a yoke, wear the print of it and sigh away
Sundays. Look Don Pedro is returned to seek you.

In this passage, Claudio and Benedick are going back and forth about why Claudio is crazy for loving Hero. Claudio is love-struck and Benedick is in a state of shock at why his friend would love such a plain woman. It seems as if with every word Claudio falls deeper in love with Hero and Benedick only wishes to attempt to awake his friend to his madness.

CLAUDIO
She's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.
BENEDICK
I can see without glasses that she's definitely not that. Her cousin may be rude but Hero can't hold a candle to Beatrice. You don't intend to try and marry her, do you?
CLAUDIO
I wouldn't believe my luck if I could be married to Hero.
BENEDICK
Is this really happening? Am I the only man to actually think about what he's doing? Am I going to see any bachelors again? Go ahead, go into servitude under Hero and lose all free will. Here comes Don Pedro to find you.