Much Ado About Nothing Group

Question:


fizzy
Student
College - Junior

What was the audience reaction to the play "Much Ado About Nothing"?

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Posted by fizzy on Sunday February 15, 2009 at 8:10 AM and tagged with audience, critical reception, much ado about nothing, reaction.

Answers:


  1. sullymonster Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    While this is an interesting question, to address what the original audience reaction was to this play is almost impossible to answer.  Very little is known of Shakespeare's plays at the time of their initial performance - though there is some information out there that can be found through primary records.  I've added a link to the enotes "Historical Background" overview of this play, which provides some very detailed of how it was received in its early stages.

    Historically, this comedy has always been well received.  The honor of playing Beatrice and Benedick - considered the central couple of the comedy - has been sought by comedic actors throughout the centuries.  The success of Kenneth Branagh's version of the film, produced in 1993 and netting $36 million in box office sales worldwide, points to the popularity of this play.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/muchado/historical-background

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    Posted by sullymonster on Sunday February 15, 2009 at 9:44 AM