Much Ado about Nothing (The New Cambridge Shakespeare) [Hardcover]

William Shakespeare (Author), F. H. Mares (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521221528 | ISBN-13: 978-0521221528 | Publication Date: January 29, 1988

An international team of scholars offers: • modernised, easily accessible texts • ample but unobtrusive academic guidance • attention to the theatrical qualities of each play and its stage history • informative illustrations, including reconstructions of early performances Much Ado has always been popular on the stage. This edition pays special attention to the history and range of theatrical interpretation. The most famous actors, from the time of Garrick to the present, have appeared as the sparring lovers Beatrice and Benedick. In recent times the play's matched plots of two pairs of lovers have been of interest to feminist critics. A full commentary includes annotation of the many sexual jokes in the play that have been obscured by the complexity of Elizabethan language.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a much-needed and welcome addition to Shakespeare resources." Choice

"...an indispensable resource for theatre historians, dramaturgs, directors, or performers." Studies in English Literature 1500-1900

"This book could also be very useful to a student of gender, history, and language, especially its detailed infromation on lines added and cut, on treatments of the play's cuckoldry humor, and on the critics' anxious iteration of such key binaries as sharp/soft, wit/feeling, salt/sweet, and mannishness/womanliness. I do recommend this book for anyone trying to piece together information about the performance history of the play, especially those interested in Victorian and Edwardian productions. Those who are attempting to chart shifts in myths of gender as they shift over the longue durée of culture, or who are researching particulat productions or players, will find this edition rich, intriguing, sometimes frustrating, but always infomative." Shakespeare Quarterly --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Book Description

This is the first edition of Much Ado About Nothing focusing wholly on the play in performance. Shifting trends in the production of this popular drama are analysed in relation to the culture of each period since Shakespeare's time, with particular attention to gender issues. A commentary alongside the text recreates in lively detail interpretations of each passage in a variety of British, American, Canadian and other productions. An essential resource for students, teachers and performers, this is an illuminating book for theatregoers. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 29, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521221528
• ISBN-13: 978-0521221528
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,792,153 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shakespeare at his comedic best..., October 15, 1999

By 

Gary (Granville, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Much Ado About Nothing (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

Debatably, this is perhaps Shakespeare's greatest comedy. The combination of the hilarious scathing witticisms exchanged between Beatrice and Benedick, the "malapropatic" words of Dogberry, and the underlying beautiful theme of love make this an illustrious masterpiece. It is must-read for anyone interested in studying the Shakespearean canon for all it is worth. It is also a very understandable play; even to someone who is not experienced in deciphering the very awkward style of Elizabethan English.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book!, March 24, 2001

By 

Megan (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Much Ado About Nothing (Paperback)

I was assigned to read "Much Ado About Nothing" for my block class, and my initial thought was, Oh, how boring. I don't want to read Shakespeare. I won't even be able to understand it. Let me tell you, I was very wrong! This book was excellent- one of the best I've ever read. It contained romance, humor, comedy, and drama- so many diverse qualities that I rarely find in books these days! The main characters, Beatrice and Benedick, add humor and warmth to the book. They argue and insult each other, yet they are really in love. Hero and Claudio are the lovebirds, but the evil Don John tries to get in the way of this with a deceitful plan. Even though this book was written centuries ago, the main themes still apply to today, (such as the Beatrice and Benedick theme). That is why this book is a classic. Oh, and understanding it isn't a problem, either. This was my first Shakespeare book ever (I'm only 14), and I understood the plot, characters, and the theme. I enjoyed it at the same time. So order this book today. You won't regret it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Long Live Benedick and Beatrice!, September 28, 2000

By 

Lisa Gansky (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Much Ado About Nothing (Paperback)

I've read over half of Shakespeare's plays, and Much Ado About Nothing is by far my favorite. Shakespeare not only weaves a clever tale of love and wit, he produces a villain, Don John, who rivals only Iago in evil. Benedick and Beatrice of course steal the show, but the true romantic can't help feeling the love between Claudio and Hero. A true masterpiece!

If you don't have time to read the play, I highly recommend the recent movie version starring Kenneth Branagh as Benedick and Denzel Washington as Don Pedro. It cuts a few too many lines, but it's the only version of Much Ado that seems to come close to the happy-go-lucky tone that Shakespeare probably intended. Kenneth Branagh at is at his best.