Essays on Much Ado About Nothing

Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing is true to the characters, plot, and language of the original play. However, it is not just a flat, uninspiring copy. Instead, it builds on Shakespeare's language and the play's cast of characters with the addition of cinematography, sound, and other elements. The effectiveness of these elements is especially prevalent in the early part of act 1, scene 1, where Benedict and Beatrice trade barbs after Claudio and Hero have been introduced. The effective use of sound and blocking in this scene serves to highlight how others view Benedict ...

Love is a complex subject as its definition and understanding varies among people. Collins and Manfred (27) assert that true love is one that triumphs lastingly through painful moments and hurdles present in everyday life. It is undeniable that love is quite essential in different cultures, considering how it is discussed in songs, films and books by people from various societies. Love is a vibrant theme especially among the youth as they transit from childhood to adulthood. Philosophically, love cuts across a variety of disciplines such as metaphysics, human nature, ethics, religion and epistemology. In this regard, love may ...

In the historical time, women had few roles within the community, diminishing their effect towards the practices, laws, and structure of the society. Historical information characterizes women as housewives, whose main work was to take care of the family and its needs such as food, clothes and water among other things. However, there were women who made great progress in changing the stereotypes set by the community by exerting their knowledge towards the current affairs and way of life. Some of the men felt intrigued by their presence while others saw them as equals. Hence, it was a struggle ...

Much Ado about Nothing features many virtuous, proper characters who behave in an upper-class manner befitting the upper crust of the Renaissance. As a result, a great importance is placed upon virginity, chastity, and avoiding scandal at any cost. Virtue and honor are very important in this society, with a great emphasis on remaining faithful and virginal for one’s husband. In this essay, the ideals of virtue and virginity/sex will be explored in Much Ado about Nothing, including how many characters deal with these issues. In the beginning of the play, Claudio is attempting to woo Leonato’s daughter, Hero. ...

SUMMARY

In light of the “revelation” that Hero has been unfaithful, Leonato becomes extremely saddened and feels betrayed by her. Leonato continues with the ruse that Hero is dead, in order to expose the person who would betray her. He challenges Claudio to a duel and leaves; then Benedick challenges Claudio as well, having felt betrayed by Claudio’s actions, which led to Hero’s apparent death. This leads Claudio and Don Pedro to realize that he does, in fact, love Beatrice. Dogberry and Verges bring Borachio and Conrad with them and convey the truth of their crimes to Claudio and ...

SUMMARY

Hero begins the plan to bring Beatrice and Benedick together by holding a conversation with Ursula and Margaret about how Benedick is in love with Beatrice, with Beatrice overhearing – they attempt to guilt her into having feelings for Benedick. They talk him up, stating that he is a catch, and Beatrice decides that it might be a good idea to “take pity” on poor Benedick and give him a chance.

On the other side of the coin. Benedick is being teased by Leonato, Don Pedro, and Claudio about opting to never marry. Benedick says he has changed his mind, but will not say ...