Much Ado About Nothing ( Folger Shakespeare Edition)

Author: William Shakespeare, Barbara A. Mowat (Editor), Paul Werstine (Editor), Robert Jackson (Editor), Gail Kern Paster (Contributor)

First publication date: 1599 - 1600

Lisandra's Thoughts:

At some point in high school, many of you have likely encountered the great William Shakespeare. He is renowned for plays like Romeo and Juliet and Othello, but for those who haven't yet come across this remarkable writer, he is often considered the greatest writer in the English language, primarily because his works were crafted in the early 16th century during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. This places his writing over 400 years ago, making him one of the oldest writers in history. This is extraordinary, as his plays allow us to learn about the history and popular fashion of the early 16th century.

Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare tells the story of Don Pedro, a young prince who arrives in an Italian city after a battle, just in time for a masquerade ball celebrating the end of the war. He and his companions are in pursuit of marriage, encountering various women who could make suitable wives. As I mentioned earlier, women in the 16th century had little control over their marriage prospects, often being chosen by male suitors or arranged marriages set by their parents. Society expected women to be gentle, submissive, and quiet, lacking any male qualities such as wit.

As the play unfolds, we meet Hero, who is pursued by a man named Claudio. Hero embodies the qualities that society deemed desirable in a woman, but she is falsely accused and embroiled in drama because she refuses to challenge male authority. In contrast, we also encounter Beatrice, who has a history with Benedick. Their former relationship has resulted in what she describes as a "merry war" because of the hurt he caused her. Beatrice is distinct from Hero; she is fierce, opinionated, and strong-minded. Her wit serves as a shield against Benedick, preventing him from manipulating her emotions.

These two female characters illustrate the societal expectations placed on women, while also highlighting a new attitude emerging among women during Queen Elizabeth I's reign. This shift caused anxiety regarding social order, as depicted in Much Ado About Nothing. Queen Elizabeth I was known for her "male-female" identity; despite being imprisoned by her sister Mary, she contributed to programs that assisted the less fortunate and fostered a more open-minded England regarding religious diversity.

Additionally, Queen Elizabeth I was famous for her long puff-sleeved dresses, which became a fashionable statement in the 16th century, symbolizing wealth and social status. The more colors a puff-sleeved garment had, the wealthier the wearer was perceived to be. In the play, the female characters wear puff-sleeved dresses to the masquerade ball, mirroring Queen Elizabeth's style and reflecting how fashion has evolved into the 21st century.

Recommendation:

Much Ado About Nothing is an excellent choice for those looking to take a break from fictional novels and enjoy a different reading experience. It is particularly engaging for readers interested in gender roles and marriage plots.