Synopsis
This classic play gets a fresh update with the addition of an outline of Shakespeare's life, criticisms, and a new comprehensive stage history of notable productions. Detailed footnotes are keyed to numbered lines within the text.
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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.
Review
"Claire McEachern's revised edition of Much Ado About Nothing updates the original introductory material with incisive discussions of gender dynamics, formal and structural characteristics, and stage history." - Studies in English Literature 1500-1900
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Much Ado About Nothing: With New Dramatic Criticism and an Updated Bibliography (A Signet classic)
Seller: World of Books (was SecondSale), Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Item in good condition and has highlighting/writing on text. Used texts may not contain supplemental items such as CDs, info-trac etc. Seller Inventory # 00100517217
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Much Ado about Nothing (A Signet classic)
Published by
Signet Classics, 1964
ISBN 10: 0451522982
ISBN 13: 9780451522986
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Mass Market Paperback
Seller: Once Upon A Time Books, Siloam Springs, AR, U.S.A.
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Mass Market Paperback. Condition: Acceptable. This is a used book. It may contain highlighting/underlining and/or the book may show heavier signs of wear . It may also be ex-library or without dustjacket. This is a used book. It may contain highlighting/underlining and/or the book may show heavier signs of wear . It may also be ex-library or without dustjacket. Seller Inventory # mon0001193547
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Much Ado About Nothing: With New Dramatic Criticism and an Updated Bibliography (A Signet classic)
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0451522982I3N00
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Much Ado about Nothing (A Signet classic)
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Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Seller Inventory # E22N-01762
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Much Ado about Nothing
Published by
Penguin Publishing Group, 1964
ISBN 10: 0451522982
ISBN 13: 9780451522986
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Reissue. Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # GRP81592717
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Much Ado about Nothing
Published by
Penguin Publishing Group, 1964
ISBN 10: 0451522982
ISBN 13: 9780451522986
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Reissue. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 6343474-75
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Much Ado About Nothing: With New Dramatic Criticism and an Updated Bibliography (A Signet classic)
Published by
New Amer Library (Mm), 1964
ISBN 10: 0451522982
ISBN 13: 9780451522986
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Mass Market Paperback
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Mass Market Paperback. Condition: Used Good. Seller Inventory # 233791
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Much Ado About Nothing: With New Dramatic Criticism and an Updated Bibliography (A Signet classic)
Seller: BennettBooksLtd, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! Seller Inventory # Q-0451522982