Jul 25, 2008

Much Ado About Nothing | Overview

In the first excerpt, Barbara Everett contends that Shakespeare's female characters in Much Ado About Nothing are essential in establishing and maintaining the atmosphere of the play. In the second piece, John Crick explores the play's concern with individuals' potential for evil in a self-absorbed society, such as Much Ado's Messina. Finally, Kenneth Muir offers a general historical and literary assessment of the play.

Barbara Everett

[In an excerpt from a general essay on Much Ado, Everett illustrates the development by Shakespeare, in his comedies, of certain feelings and attitudes which are a constituent part of his entire dramatic canon, and which tend to be most clearly expressed by the female characters. From Shakespeare's women, the critic argues, come the clearest expressions of humane principle, generous nature, and constancy.]

Much Ado About Nothing is not, I think, among Shakespeare's most popular comedies. It lacks many of those perpetuating devices that we...