Much Ado About Nothing

 Much Ado About Nothing

by

William Shakespeare

Summery from Goodreads...

The action is set in Sicily, where Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon, has recently defeated his half-brother, the bastard Don John, in a military engagement. Apparently reconciled, they return to the capital, Messina, as guests of the Governor, Leonato. There Count Claudio, a young nobleman serving in Don Pedro's army, falls in love with Hero, Leonato's daughter, whom Don Pedro woos on his behalf. The play's central plot shows how Don John maliciously deceives Claudio into believing that Hero has taken a lover on the eve of her marriage, causing Claudio to repudiate her publicly, at the altar.

Last year, in my literary club at my college, we had a “things we've never read” confessional type thing. I admitted that I had never read any of Shakespeare’s plays. Everyone was in an uproar. I mean, I had seen one or two plays of his preformed in the park within the last couple years but I had never read one. I can now proudly say that my sister has finally succeeded in introducing me to the old play-write and now I want more!

The Good, The Bad, and the Krazy...

My sister has constantly been telling me that I should try reading “Much Ado About Nothing,” and since Joss Whedon's version is coming out in theaters soon I had incentive. Finally last week we sat down and read it aloud together. I loved it! It's a story of love, treachery, assumed betrayal, and overcoming stubbornness. The overall story was gripping and interesting but I must say my favorite parts, the parts that I keep rereading, are whenever Benedict and Beatrice are on the page together, bickering and refusing to admit they have feelings for one another. I can't get enough of these two character's, I have watched the 1993 version with Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson about 3-4 times already and it's never enough. Branagh is dreamy as Benedict and Emma Thompson masters Beatrice. Although, I do admit Dogberry is a bit.... much for me. If you love comedic romances and bickering couples, like I do, don't miss this Shakespeare play!

What is your favorite Shakespeare play/movie?