Much Ado About Nothing - Softcover

Shakespeare, William

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140623736 ISBN 13: 9780140623734

Publisher: Penguin Classics, 2007

Synopsis

Aimed at pupils who are studying Much Ado About Nothing for the first time, this literature guide provides a straightforward explanation of the text that carefully leads students through the play to reach a better understanding and appreciation of it. York Notes, the ultimate best-selling literature guides, are a useful background for both quick-reference and insightful interpretations. Key features include: *Commentaries structured by the assessment criteria used in the Key Stage 3 tests to give pupils the confidence they need to do well in the tests *Short, simple summaries that help all pupils get to grips with the Shakespeare plays for the Key Stage 3 tests quickly *Accurate, reliable and faithful to the plays ensuring students avoid making mistakes in the exam

About this title

Product Description:

A vivacious woman and a high-spirited man both claim that they are determined never to marry. But when their friends trick them into believing that each harbours secret feelings for the other, they begin to question whether their witty banter and sharp-tongued repartee conceals something deeper. Schemes abound, misunderstandings proliferate and matches are eventually made in this sparkling and irresistible comedy.

Review:

Like Love's Labour's Lost, Much Ado about Nothing shows Shakespeare moving into a more complex and darker terrain through his exploration of an apparently harmless comical romance. The play revolves around the adventures of the two gallants Claudio and Benedick at the court of Sicily. Claudio falls in love with the governor's daughter Hero, and is eager for his more misanthropic friend Benedick to also find love. Benedick is introduced to the fiery, independent Beatrice, and sparks soon fly as they banter with each other in a more wittier version of Kate and Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew. Beatrice has some wonderful ripostes to marriage asking why should a woman marry "a clod of wayward marl", whilst Benedick grumbles that "She speaks poniards and every word stabs". Meanwhile, the jealous Don John convinces Claudio that Hero has in fact been unfaithful to him. When Claudio rejects Hero on their wedding day, she faints and is taken for dead. In the hectic final scenes the play moves towards reconciliation between Claudio and Hero, and the tentative admission of the love between Benedick and Beatrice. Famously filmed by Kenneth Branagh in the Tuscan countryside with a cast that included Keanu Reeves, Much Ado about Nothing remains one of Shakespeare's most successful comedies. --Jerry Brotton.

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0140623736
• ISBN 13: 9780140623734
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128