Much Ado About Nothing

by SparkNotes

Excellent Book

Genres: School

Paperback

Published March 31, 2007

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Link to discussion.

Reviews

[tirzah joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

for school, it was great, i love shakespeare sooo much!! this whole play basically revolves around gossip and it sends a huge message on how gossiping can really change situations.

[Mary Van Winkle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I impulsively read this play because I had recently read it was the precursor to most enemies-to-lovers tropes. Beatrice and Benedick being the OG couple with warring emotions. I remember seeing Kenneth Brannah's adaptation featuring his then-wife Emma Thompson years ago but I think that deserves another watch. Because I don't remember much but I thought it had a little more oomp than the play I just read. Could be because plays are meant to be seen, not so much read.



I'm not the biggest Shakespeare fan, he's got enough of those. And I'm not saying he doesn't deserve the accolades but I feel -dare I say it- he's overrated. And I have no shame in reading the No Fear version because while I like a mental challenge while reading, I do not like a mental beating. Without these translated editions I wouldn't bother with Shakespeare anymore but as it is I've surprisingly read two of his works in one year.

This really wasn't the sparring I was hoping for although there was one exchange when Beatrice and Benedick meet in the beginning that was amusing. They already know each other before the start of this play's events so a lot of the barbs are just spoken about and alluded to. The play really revolves around the drama of a jealous illegitimate prince sabotaging a favorite of his brother, what gossip can do to a girl's reputation, and how fickle everyone is.



First of all, can anyone blame Don John for being bitter that everyone walks around calling him illegitimate and a bastard? What's wrong with people of yesteryear? Like those labels are okay? It's not okay that he's caused the trouble he did, that's on him, his choice but you have to expect something when you treat someone like they're lesser than.

Secondly, Don Pedro and Claudio fall for DJ's manipulation, they think they had proof from peeping from the ground up to the window but they didn't investigate further? They didn't go up there and confront "Hero and her lover"? They were lowdown enough to wait until everyone was at the alter to make the biggest judgemental scene! And excuse me, Hero had to " die" to redeem her good reputation?! WTF?!? I'll leave it there before I really get into a rage about how she was treated (but P.S. where was Hero when she was being framed? Was she elsewhere or just sleeping two feet away? Plot hole...)



But what got me through the whole thing was each of Benedick and Beatrice's friends thinking they were funny and setting the warring couple up. And then how easily they both fell for it! For years they swore up and down they hated each other but one secondhand mention of love and they both crumble like tin foil. And it was so easy, this would never work in a larger story or a novel so I'm sure I have to watch it unfold instead.

[doowop dabadoowop · Rating 3 out of 5]

this took me much longer to finish than it should for ONE REASON.

looking at you, fellowship...

ANYWAY! this was so fun i'm so glad much ado about nothing was my first shakespeare play!!! i'm probably gonna watch a movie or stage version it was so funny!!

also, the modernized text really bugged me because at times, it was just completely dumbed down and lacked the original nuance.

[Katie Kaste · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt the urge to reread my favorite play. I love the witty banter and fast pace of the play. This is one of the problematic comedies since there is an abrupt tone change towards the end. Beatrice and Benedict are favorite of all the Shakespeare couples, their obvious history and secret love for each other is fun to read. This is such a fun time.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally read this book when I was supposed to have read it months ago for UIL. Is very much enjoyable story although it is very contrived and the time. Between the deception of hero’s death and he supposed marriage to Hymen is very short. I do love the banter between Beatrice and Benedick. I wish there was more about Don John and how he was captured and dealt with.

[Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disguise, deception and wit plus a happy ending.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

i can see why it’s called much ado about nothing

[ashley g · Rating 4 out of 5]

reread much ado, and yes i’m counting that as another book credit idc! i can do what i want!