One of the Bard's More Boring Works

29 July 2013

Once, as I was prone to do, I went around the church (and work) and asked as many people as possible about their favorite Shakespeare play. I assumed they knew who Shakespeare was, what plays he had written, and had actually seen one. To my surprise, the most common answer was 'Much Ado About Nothing'. This surprised me because it's not necessarily one of his most performed plays and is generally not studied in high school. I won't comment on university as I studied three plays at Uni, but the university I attended seemed to avoid Shakespeare's. I'm not surprised that not many people picked Hamlet, Macbeth, or Romeo and Juliet, as those plays are often forced upon us in high school, which can have a rather off-putting effect.

As for this particular play, I must say it's not really one of my favorites. Even though it's a comedy, it seemed a little dull. There wasn't anything extraordinary in the play, like the fairy tale elements of A Midsummer Night's Dream or the interesting relationships in Twelfth Night and The Taming of the Shrew. Okay, it's a bit more complicated as we have two romantic relationships running side by side, demonstrating Shakespeare's mastery in writing plays with multiple plots that all come together at the end. But the play still bores me in the sense that there's nothing really all that interesting about it.

One of the plots involves Benedick and Beatrice, who both have a rather cold exterior. Their friends decide to set them up, and while they're cold towards each other, it becomes clear they have deep passions. Their friends then manipulate the situation to bring them together. Obviously, simply reading the play doesn't necessarily bring out the intricacies that a good performance can show.
The other plot is a bit more sinister. Don John, the villain, decides to ruin the relationship between Claudio and Hero for no real reason other than being a prick. Seriously, I can't find any reason why he wants to ruin a marriage. Maybe it's because he's a bastard, and in those times, being a bastard led to a life of rejection and poverty. This is probably why the bastard in King Lear was such an evil son of a bitch. Here, Don John is just laughable, but he does manage to ruin a wedding based on flimsy evidence and word of mouth. But as expected, in the end, everything works out well and everybody gets married.
For those interested, I've written some further thoughts on my blog after seeing a performance.

My favorite of Shakespeare's plays is truly a masterpiece! I have an unwavering love for the interaction between Benedick and Beatrice. It is simply captivating.

This play is filled with wit and fun that never fails to bring a smile to my face. Every time I reread it, it feels like a new adventure. The dialogue is sharp and engaging, and the plot moves along at a brisk pace, keeping my attention firmly fixed.

The characters are so vivid and real that they seem to jump off the page. Beatrice, in particular, is a character I adore. She has such depth and complexity. Her attempts to appear tough in public, while hiding her gentle heart, make her all the more endearing.

The way all the characters interact is truly fascinating. Each one has a unique relationship with the others, and their dialogue reveals their inner emotions with remarkable clarity. The respect and deference shown to Leonato and the Prince, the joking around with Benedick, the quiet presence of Hero, and the reactions to Claudio's boyish charm all add to the rich tapestry of the play.

I am always overjoyed when I reread this play, and I am constantly amazed at the new perspectives and details I discover. It is a play that never gets old and always has something new to offer.

3.5
There is so much charm remaining that even with translation, the rhythm, the presentation, and the poetry of Shakespeare's text do not disappear. All the characters speak in their own tones in my mind, and their touching voices and engaging dialogues spread in that big theater of my mind. For several hours, I forget everything and with a dazed look, I am spellbound until the end by their performance, their fancy and glittering clothes, their sparkle, and their masquerade balls. I stand up and applaud for the dialogues and the characters that I am interested in.
I know that I have come to this world at a very wrong time.

P.S: I introduce Benedick and Beatrice as the most hilarious and the most different couple that Shakespeare has ever written.>>>

Shakespeare's works have an undeniable allure. The way his characters come to life in our minds is truly magical. Benedick and Beatrice, in particular, are a delight. Their witty banter and complex relationship add a layer of depth to the story. As we follow their journey, we are drawn into their world, experiencing their joys and sorrows. The vivid descriptions of the settings and the costumes further enhance the overall experience. It's as if we are transported to a different time and place. Shakespeare's genius lies in his ability to create characters and stories that resonate with us across the ages. Whether we are reading his plays or watching them performed, we are always left in awe of his talent.

I absolutely adored this one!

Although I'm not a huge enthusiast of Shakespeare, before delving into this particular work, I watched the 1993 movie adaptation, and it was incredibly beneficial.

It allowed me to follow the story and understand the characters far better than if I had simply read the play on its own.

Moreover, this movie is an outstanding rendition of the play, featuring a plethora of big-name stars who give remarkable performances.

Set in Italy, the scenery is simply breathtaking.

This story encompasses joy, comedy, drama, and romance.

And, of course, everything is acted to the extreme, but that's the essence of Shakespeare!

So, I highly recommend watching the movie, reading the play, and having an extremely enjoyable time! :)

“I do love nothing in the world so well as you. Is not that strange?”

\\"Much Ado About Nothing\\" is truly one of Shakespeare's timeless crowd-pleasers. It constantly makes appearances in performances by classical theatre companies. The reason is straightforward; it's a delightfully fun and witty play. It showcases some of the most brilliant verbal wordplay in all of Shakespeare's works. Moreover, it features the only middle-aged lovers in the Bard's entire oeuvre, the charming Beatrice and Benedick. This former couple bicker and snipe at each other with such ferocity that their physical and emotional attraction is blatantly evident from the very first moment they share on the page or stage. The text hints at the fact that they have a past together, and there are lingering hurts. However, Shakespeare allows them to overcome that and we get to witness their journey.

One of the main reasons I keep coming back to \\"Much Ado\\" is Shakespeare's masterful handling of the leading characters' pride and their reluctance to take the perilous leap into love. This aspect particularly strikes a chord in our era when an increasing number of middle-aged people find themselves divorced and single. How does one take that risk again, often in similar emotional situations as Beatrice and Benedick? When these two finally set aside their pride and open up to each other, it's as touching and beautiful a moment as any in Shakespeare.

Once again, as in many of Shakespeare's greatest comedies, the characterizations are crucial to the enjoyment of the text. Besides the two leads, we have the malaprop-prone constable Dogberry, who inadvertently prevents the plot from turning into a tragedy, and the nuanced characterization of Don Pedro, the prince. There's more to this character than meets the eye, and the discerning reader will be rewarded by paying attention to Don Pedro's wooing of Hero on behalf of his underling Claudio. Shakespeare adds layers here that are fascinating to contemplate.

The new RSC Modern Library editions of Shakespeare's plays are a high-quality trade paperback edition of the Bard's works. “Much Ado About Nothing” contains a unique Introduction by Jonathan Bate. What makes it unique is its emphasis on the secondary character of Hero. I had never read an essay that focused so much on her before.

This edition includes an essay on the performance history of the piece, as well as interviews with directors (Marianne Elliot & Nicholas Hytner) and an interview with actress Harriet Walter, who has played Beatrice. Ms. Walker’s interview is particularly insightful as she focuses on Beatrice’s humanity rather than providing “intellectual” answers. It will be of great interest to those who enjoy exploring the myriad interpretations that Shakespeare's works offer. The Modern Library edition also includes a scene-by-scene analysis, which can help highlight an image or symbol that you might have overlooked. Additionally, the edition features a useful “Further Readings” list specifically for this play.

Frankly, all of the additional essays allow you to immerse yourself in the world of the play, and it's all conveniently contained within one text.

The RSC Modern Library editions are a wonderful new trade paperback with valuable extras. They are a great addition to the existing editions of Shakespeare. These and the Pelican Shakespeare are my two favorites.

I can see he's not in your good books,' said the messenger.

'No, and if he were I would burn my library.

Found this tucked away in the shelves here in New Belgrade. My reading plans for the holiday ran aground after Rorty. I needed the Bard about now. However, in full disclosure, I needed more Beatrice than this afforded. All the classic conceits are on display otherwise. There's a masked ball and maladaptive bastards. There is likely more eavesdropping than at a security conference. And there are just as many hollow speeches pledging solidarity and offering homage to dark matters past.

There was a star danced, and under that was I born

Thus, I laughed and marveled. And all the while, I harbored hopes for a Caliban to thwart surveillance capitalism and offer a return to the Fallen Atlantis. Alas, it wasn't to be. Neither that nor Bohemian beaches rife with bears in pursuit. It seems that my literary dreams and the reality I faced were far apart. But still, I continued to explore the words on these pages, hoping to find some glimmer of the escape or inspiration I so desired.

SEE?

This is precisely what occurs when not every character in the play is a chaotic and idiotic individual! (Hey, Romeo & Juliet! I'm specifically addressing you here!)

The lovers in this case aren't as immature as those in other stories. They don't act on impulse, and as a result, NO ONE HAS TO DIE. It's truly a refreshing change.

Beatrice and Benedick are the very reasons why I award this play a full 5 stars. They are such a delightfully chaotic couple. (◕‿◕)

Beatrice, in particular, has effortlessly become my all-time favorite Shakespearean female character. Her wit, charm, and spunk make her a truly captivating figure. I can't help but be drawn to her every time she appears on the page or stage.

The lesson here is that we tend to like people who we believe like us. This is a fascinating aspect of human nature that often influences our relationships and interactions.

I highly recommend watching this production starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate. It was truly a hilarious experience, making me laugh out loud many times. The link to watch it is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1fi6....

I'm gonna watch the Kenneth Branagh film version next! I'm really looking forward to seeing how it compares to the stage production.

Update: The movie was great, but I still prefer the stage production. There is just no substitute for the kind of practice stage actors get performing the same scenes over and over again, getting live feedback, and perfecting their parts. The energy and connection between the actors and the audience on stage is something that cannot be replicated in a film.

Overall, both the stage production and the movie have their own unique charm, but for me, the stage production will always hold a special place in my heart.

4.5/5 stars


I had the opportunity to read this book in my Honors English class. As someone who has an absolute passion for Shakespeare and has not yet delved into any of his comedies, I was filled with excitement when approaching "Much Ado About Nothing". The characters in this play are truly hilarious, and I thoroughly enjoyed every single moment of reading and watching the actors bring them to life. I watched a version where David Tennant played Benedick, and he was simply amazing in the role. If you are new to the works of Shakespeare, I would highly recommend this play as your first introduction. The language used is not overly complicated, and they only speak in iambic pentameter during tense and important scenes, which are relatively few. Overall, this is most definitely one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. I can't wait to share a more in-depth review with you all in the future.


Full review to come.

It has been an astonishing 420 years, and yet Benedick and Beatrice remain That Couple par excellence, evolving from actual enemies to lovers. This is, without a doubt, perhaps my favorite Shakespeare play that I have witnessed thus far. I delved into the script while simultaneously watching the filmed Globe performance, and truly, it is still uproariously funny. The Claudio storyline can be a bit annoying, but Hero is such a far better character than Desdemona, who has a somewhat similar plot line. Beatrice and Benedick, on the other hand, are both hilarious and endearing, and I absolutely adore them both. Honestly, this play deserves a really enjoyable and excellent modern adaptation. It could bring the timeless charm and wit of Benedick and Beatrice to a whole new generation, allowing them to experience the magic that has endured for centuries.

For this edition, I am speaking. I really liked the translation.

Especially the word games are beautifully and rhymingly adapted to Turkish.

The vocabulary is rich and at the same time fluent and steady.

It shows a high level of language skills and creativity.

The translator has done a great job in capturing the essence and spirit of the original text and presenting it in a new language.

This kind of translation not only helps people to understand different cultures but also enriches the language itself.

I look forward to seeing more excellent translations in the future.

Divertente, arguta e coinvolgente, questa commedia si legge che è un piacere. Tuttavia, per apprezzarla appieno, andrebbe sicuramente vista a teatro.

La commedia è stata scritta in modo così brillante che riesce a catturare l'attenzione dell'utente fin dal primo momento. I personaggi sono ben sviluppati e le scene sono pienamente coinvolgenti. Tuttavia, nonostante la sua qualità letteraria, la commedia perde qualcosa quando si legge piuttosto che si vede rappresentata sul palcoscenico.

Quando si vede una commedia a teatro, si riesce a catturare tutta l'energia e la presenza dei personaggi in modo più diretto. Inoltre, il pubblico può interagire con la rappresentazione, creando un'atmosfera ancora più coinvolgente. Per questo motivo, anche se è possibile apprezzare la commedia leggendola, si perde molto rispetto alla rappresentazione in scena.

Per questo motivo, ho deciso di cercare almeno di recuperare il film di Branagh. Anche se non sarà la stessa cosa di vedere la commedia a teatro, spero che il film riesca a catturare qualcosa della magia e dell'energia della commedia originale.