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A review by thefussyreader
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
5.0
**EDIT - Having now seen the play live, I'm amending my rating from 4 stars to 5 stars. It needs to be seen to be fully appreciated, I think. This play was absolutely hysterical and was very visual, relying heavily on comedic timing that translates better on the stage than it does on the page. I think this is a new Shakespeare favourite for me.-**
My second choice in my Shakespeare quest. I intend to read one a month, and as I'll be watching a Much Ado performance at the weekend, this was the obvious choice for this month.
The plot of this play is like a Midsummer Night's Dream and Romeo and Juliet mash-up.
It reminds me of A Midsummer Night's Dream in so much as the characters and the circumstances that either bring them together or pull them apart. Four people - Two couples - one in love and set to be married, the other cynical and scornful towards each other, but all mixed up in the meddling of others, and so messing up the equilibrium of their relationships.
Claudio and Hero are betrothed and are due to be married. Benedick and Beatrice can't stand one another and despise the idea of marriage. This is Shakespeare; so naturally, something comes between the happy couple and breaks them apart, while at the same time bringing together the two that hate each other.
The Romeo and Juliet vibes come from Hero faking her death, leading Claudio to believe she is dead. Thankfully he has the good sense to not end his own life, and after he has seen the error of his way and shown remorse, Hero is then revealed to be alive after all and they are married as originally planned. Phew! That could've ended badly.
Going back to Midsummer Night's, the other couple, Bene and Bea reveal to the wedding party they are madly in love (while still trying to pretend they hate each other) and are also to marry. Yay, double wedding!
So far so good with my Shakespeare quest. I've really enjoyed what I've read so far, and hope I can keep up this winning streak with next month's pick. I've read four Shakespeare plays in my lifetime and I must say, his comedies are winning it for me. (sorry Macbeth) Can't decide if I like this more than Midsummer Night's. I'll have to watch it live to determine that.
Some of my favourite lines.
"His words are a very fantastical banquet, just so many strange dishes."
"When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think that I should live till I were married."
"I will live in thy heart, die in thy lap and be buried in thy eyes."
As you can probably guess, Benedick was my favourite. He and Beatrice together supplied the comic relief. Their quick wit and sharp tongues and monstrous pride made them the most interesting characters. The fact that they loved each other all along only made their insults and scorn all the more delicious in the end. I really enjoyed their characters.
My second choice in my Shakespeare quest. I intend to read one a month, and as I'll be watching a Much Ado performance at the weekend, this was the obvious choice for this month.
The plot of this play is like a Midsummer Night's Dream and Romeo and Juliet mash-up.
It reminds me of A Midsummer Night's Dream in so much as the characters and the circumstances that either bring them together or pull them apart. Four people - Two couples - one in love and set to be married, the other cynical and scornful towards each other, but all mixed up in the meddling of others, and so messing up the equilibrium of their relationships.
Claudio and Hero are betrothed and are due to be married. Benedick and Beatrice can't stand one another and despise the idea of marriage. This is Shakespeare; so naturally, something comes between the happy couple and breaks them apart, while at the same time bringing together the two that hate each other.
The Romeo and Juliet vibes come from Hero faking her death, leading Claudio to believe she is dead. Thankfully he has the good sense to not end his own life, and after he has seen the error of his way and shown remorse, Hero is then revealed to be alive after all and they are married as originally planned. Phew! That could've ended badly.
Going back to Midsummer Night's, the other couple, Bene and Bea reveal to the wedding party they are madly in love (while still trying to pretend they hate each other) and are also to marry. Yay, double wedding!
So far so good with my Shakespeare quest. I've really enjoyed what I've read so far, and hope I can keep up this winning streak with next month's pick. I've read four Shakespeare plays in my lifetime and I must say, his comedies are winning it for me. (sorry Macbeth) Can't decide if I like this more than Midsummer Night's. I'll have to watch it live to determine that.
Some of my favourite lines.
"His words are a very fantastical banquet, just so many strange dishes."
"When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think that I should live till I were married."
"I will live in thy heart, die in thy lap and be buried in thy eyes."
As you can probably guess, Benedick was my favourite. He and Beatrice together supplied the comic relief. Their quick wit and sharp tongues and monstrous pride made them the most interesting characters. The fact that they loved each other all along only made their insults and scorn all the more delicious in the end. I really enjoyed their characters.