Enter Claudio, Prince, and three or four Lords with tapers, and Musicians.

• Setting the Scene: Claudio, the Prince, and several Lords arrive at Leonato’s tomb, holding torches (tapers) with musicians accompanying them. The somber atmosphere is set for the ritual mourning of Hero, whom Claudio wrongfully believed was dead due to slander.

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CLAUDIO
“Is this the monument of Leonato?”

• Explanation: Claudio is asking if this is the tomb of Hero’s father, Leonato. He is at the site to pay tribute to Hero, whom he now regrets causing harm to by accusing her falsely.
• Theme: Guilt and Remorse—Claudio’s questioning reveals his emotional state and guilt for what he believes was the cause of Hero’s death.

FIRST LORD
“It is, my lord.”

• Explanation: The Lord confirms that it is indeed Leonato’s tomb, affirming the setting for the ritual.

CLAUDIO
(Reading an epitaph)
“Done to death by slanderous tongues
Was the Hero that here lies.”

• Explanation: Claudio reads the epitaph, blaming “slanderous tongues” for Hero’s death. The phrase “done to death” means she was killed by false accusations.
• Theme: The theme of false accusations is central here, as Claudio realizes that Hero’s death was the result of people lying about her.

“Death, in guerdon of her wrongs,
Gives her fame which never dies.”

• Explanation: Claudio reflects that Hero’s wrongful death has earned her eternal fame, a “reward” for the wrongs done to her. Her reputation is now untarnished in death, unlike when she was alive.
• Language Device: Irony—Hero’s death, which was caused by slander, ironically gives her a kind of lasting glory.
• Theme: Reputation and Honor—Hero’s reputation is now secure in death, though it was unjustly tarnished in life.

“So the life that died with shame
Lives in death with glorious fame.”

• Explanation: Claudio continues reading, stating that although Hero’s life ended in shame due to false accusations, her death has made her famous and respected forever.
• Language Device: Contrast—The stark difference between the shame she experienced in life and the glory she receives in death.

He hangs up the scroll.

• Explanation: Claudio hangs the epitaph on the tomb, a symbolic gesture of respect for Hero and the public acknowledgment of her wrongful death.

CLAUDIO
“Hang thou there upon the tomb,
Praising her when I am dumb.”

• Explanation: Claudio says that the scroll will continue to praise Hero even when he can no longer speak or defend her. This suggests his feeling of helplessness and guilt, unable to undo the wrong he has done.
• Language Device: Metaphor—”Hang thou there upon the tomb” is a symbolic act of leaving Hero’s name etched in stone, representing his perpetual guilt and tribute to her.

CLAUDIO
“Now music, sound, and sing your solemn hymn.”

• Explanation: Claudio instructs the musicians to start playing and singing a mournful song for Hero, marking the continuation of the ritual mourning.
• Language Device: Imperative Command—”Sound, and sing” is a command, further establishing Claudio’s role in conducting this solemn event.

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Song
“Pardon, goddess of the night,
Those that slew thy virgin knight,
For the which with songs of woe,
Round about her tomb they go.
Midnight, assist our moan.
Help us to sigh and groan
Heavily, heavily.
Graves, yawn and yield your dead,
Till death be utterèd,
Heavily, heavily.”

• Explanation: The song is a solemn, mournful prayer to the “goddess of the night” (perhaps referring to the moon or death itself). The song asks for pardon for those who caused Hero’s death and expresses the sorrow of the mourners as they circle her tomb.
• Language Devices:
  • Personification: “Graves, yawn and yield your dead”—Graves are personified as being able to open and release the dead, an eerie and dramatic image that emphasizes the depth of grief.
  • Repetition: The word “heavily” is repeated for emphasis, creating a sense of profound sorrow and mourning.
  • Alliteration: “Sigh and groan”—the repetition of the “s” and “g” sounds adds to the sadness of the song.
  • Hyperbole: “Graves, yawn and yield your dead” is an exaggerated wish for the dead to rise, symbolizing the extreme sorrow of the living.

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CLAUDIO
“Now, unto thy bones, goodnight.
Yearly will I do this rite.”

• Explanation: Claudio says goodnight to Hero’s bones, meaning a final farewell. He vows to perform this mourning ritual every year in honor of her memory.
• Theme: Regret and Redemption—Claudio is trying to redeem himself for his actions by ensuring Hero is remembered with respect, despite her wrongful death.

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PRINCE
“Good morrow, masters. Put your torches out.
The wolves have preyed, and look, the gentle day
Before the wheels of Phoebus, round about
Dapples the drowsy east with spots of gray.”

• Explanation: The Prince greets everyone and tells them to put out their torches because it is now morning. The Prince uses poetic language to describe the dawn (“wheels of Phoebus” refers to the sun god’s chariot and the light of day that “dapples the drowsy east”).
• Language Device:
  • Metaphor: “The wheels of Phoebus” refers to the movement of the sun across the sky.
  • Imagery: “Dapples the drowsy east with spots of gray” is a vivid description of the early morning sky.

PRINCE
“Thanks to you all, and leave us. Fare you well.”

• Explanation: The Prince thanks everyone for their participation and asks them to leave, signaling that the mourning ceremony is over.

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CLAUDIO
“Good morrow, masters. Each his several way.”

• Explanation: Claudio also bids everyone a good morning and tells them to go their separate ways, signaling the end of the gathering.

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Exit of the Lords and Musicians.

PRINCE
“Come, let us hence, and put on other weeds,
And then to Leonato’s we will go.”

• Explanation: The Prince suggests that they leave and change into different clothes (“other weeds” refers to different attire). Afterward, they will go to Leonato’s house, possibly to continue their plans or engage in further discussions regarding Hero’s death and the consequences.
• Theme: Change and Renewal: The idea of changing clothes symbolizes a shift or transformation, possibly suggesting a move from mourning to a more hopeful phase or a new beginning.

CLAUDIO
“And Hymen now with luckier issue speed’s,
Than this for whom we rendered up this woe.”

• Explanation: Claudio hopes that “Hymen” (the god of marriage) will now bless him with a happier outcome, one that is more fortunate than the sorrowful situation they just mourned (Hero’s death). He is referring to the hope that his future marriage or relationships will be luckier than the tragic events that have unfolded.
• Language Device: Allusion—Hymen, the god of marriage, is referenced, invoking the theme of marriage and hope for better fortunes in the future.
• Theme: Hope and Redemption: Claudio’s wish for a “luckier issue” indicates that he seeks a positive resolution or redemption after the tragedy. It reflects his desire for happiness after the sorrow of the past.

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They exit.

• Explanation: The characters exit the scene, leaving the audience to reflect on the resolution of this part of the plot, where Claudio expresses hope for a more fortunate future.