Much Ado about Nothing

Facts Written between 1598-1599 Considered one of Shakespeare's best comedies for its combination of humor and serious themes One of very few plays by Shakespeare that is written mostly in prose Shakespeare wrote 17 comedies and 12 tragedies. Nothing=noting (gossip, rumor, eavesdropping)

Setting Time: 16th century Place: Messina, Italy

Characters Don Pedro: Prince of Aragon, generally good but uses his power to manipulate people Claudio: friend of Don Pedro, passionate but inexperienced and easily manipulated Hero: loved by Claudio, polite, quiet, respectful, and gentle, traditional Renaissance woman

Benedict: friend of Don Pedro and Claudio, loves to make people laugh, swears that he will never get married Beatrice: cousin of Hero, hates Benedick, feisty, cynical, witty, and sharp, refuses to marry because she will not be controlled by a husband, non-traditional Renaissance woman Don John: illegitimate brother of Don Pedro, wants revenge on him

Themes Gender roles Men: superior, focused on codes of honor and camaraderie with other men Women: inferior, focused on emotions, prone to inconstancy Infidelity: A man has no way to know whether his wife is faithful to him, so she can take advantage of him.

Deception: Many characters play tricks on each other, some with good and bad intentions. All tricks end up causing drama and confusion. Masks and mistaken identity: Many characters use literal and figurative masks to pretend to be others or conceal their own identity.

The Evolution of Comedy Ancient Greece and Rome: stage-play with a happy ending Aristotle: Comedy is an imitation of men worse than the average (Tragedy: Men are better than the average). Ridiculous: a mistake or deformity not productive of pain or harm to others Comedy is good for society because it promotes happiness.

Elizabethan: has a happy ending, usually involving marriages between the unmarried characters, and has a lighthearted tone and style Current: any discourse or work generally intended to be humorous or to amuse by inducing laughter Romantic comedy: depicts burgeoning romance in humorous terms and focuses on the foibles of those who are falling in love.

Shakespearean Comedy A greater emphasis on situations than characters A struggle of young lovers to may overcome difficulty, often presented by elders Separation and re-unification Deception of characters (especially mistaken identity) A clever servant Disputes between characters, often within a family

Interesting climax often with an unexpected twist Multiple, intertwining plots Use of all styles of comedy (slapstick, puns, dry humor, witty banter) Pastoral element (courtly people living an idealized, rural life) A happy ending