Much Ado About Nothing

William Shakespeare

The two relationships are wonderful foils to eachother. Every version I've seen of this - simply...more

The two relationships are wonderful foils to eachother. Every version I've seen of this - simply read in my Shakespeare class, performed as intended, the Kenneth Brannaugh directed version of the movie, and even an Indian themed production of it - have been wonderful. I love the Beatrice and Benedict relationship, but the other aspects of it are very good too. My favorite part, I must say, is Benedict's silioquy, containing: "the world must be peopled!" Makes me laigh every time, not because I'm immature, but because no matter how you read it, it's funny to see the literally immediate change in Benedict's character. Also, seriously, the movie is amazing. It's filled with stars, and is the best adaptation of Shakespeare I have ever seen, and probably will ever see. If you can't stand to read Shakespeare, watch the movie, because it's understandable, and this play is not one worth missing. Even my cynical, Shakespeare-hating little brother will sit down and watch Much Ado About Nothing when I put it in, and he likes it. :-)   hide

With the battle against Don Jon won, his brother retires to Messina for a few fun skirmishes...more

With the battle against Don Jon won, his brother retires to Messina for a few fun skirmishes betwixt Benedick and Beatrice. Their merriment keeps the play rolling through Hero's tragic setback and Claudio's rash decisions. Many, many times Benedick shuns marriage for the risk of cuckoldry, which is felt by Claudio even before marriage. The situation he creates loudly argues that the greatest harm is in the mind. Women are not so open. On the contrary, towards the end after being caught in the Duke's trap, Benedick flirts with Margaret even as he courts Beatrice! Yet, with all fears forgotten, the couples find happiness in the pairings made by Don Pedro.   hide

One of my favorite Shakespearian plays. I tend to relate so much with Beatrice and her relationship...more

One of my favorite Shakespearian plays. I tend to relate so much with Beatrice and her relationship with Benedict. She is so strong willed, yet gentle within her origin. One would think that she would either want a docile man or no man at all. She finds her love amidst the clamour between herself and her masked love. . . A man, who like herself, is strong willed yet gentle at his origin. The reason that I fell in love with Benedict, is due to the simple fact that he illustrates to the regular populace his facade of power and strength ... yet this woman ( a woman that he trusts his life with) melts that mask away, and allows his love and gentility to shower upon her. The usages of dramatic setting ironies , as well as wonderful monologues makes this beautiful.   hide

Far and away the best of Shakespeare's comedies, primarily because Beatrice and Benedick are the...more

Far and away the best of Shakespeare's comedies, primarily because Beatrice and Benedick are the best-matched couple in all of Shakespeare. Their relationship is full of witty banter, but there are the hints of a rich and complicated past to them as well. Shakespeare's comedic language is never better -- the dialogue is snappy and hilarious. But best of all -- this play has real heart. The characters are compelling, and you desperately want everyone to end up with their true loves. I've seen this play in production eight times, as well as the movie, and it never fails to entertain.   hide

This is hands-down, no-contest, my absolute favorite. It's reason why I got into Shakespeare and,...more

This is hands-down, no-contest, my absolute favorite. It's reason why I got into Shakespeare and, on a weird side note, why I got into the show "House" (the actor who plays Claudio in the 1993 movie version plays Wilson on "House." I'm still kicking myself for missing the free production of it a couple years back at the Common in Boston =(   hide