No Fear Shakespeare: Much ado about nothing
Schnerder for Claudio
A young soldier who has won great acclaim fighting under Don Pedro during the recent wars. Claudio falls in love with Hero upon his return to Messina. His unfortunately suspicious nature makes him quick to believe evil rumors and hasty to despair and take revenge. He is a naive, innocent guy that believes over and over that Hero betrayed him, which causes multiple conflicts. His actions are not caused by wickedness, though, but by his sincere innocence and the fear to be betrayed by the ones he loves, and he's lead to violent reactions. He should sound younger than Benedick, being a younger companion of his, and he should sound able to carry out his innocent side. He should have a mid to high ranged voice.
You can see that I’m sick with love, and you’re taking care of me in just the right way! But I didn’t want you to think that I’m hasty in my emotions. I was going to explain my feelings with a longer story.
(deluded after he thinks Hero betrayed him with a friend of his) Friendship is enduring except when love is involved. Therefore, all lovers should speak for themselves. They should look for themselves, without asking someone else to get involved in their affairs. Beauty is a witch whose spells can turn loyalty into passion. This happens a lot, but it didn’t occur to me that it would happen to me. Goodbye then, Hero.
(after he thinks Hero betrayed him... Again)
Because of you, I’ll keep myself away from love. I’ll hang suspicion on my eyelids, so that all the beautiful things I see are transformed into dangers and are never able to trick me again.
