Abstract
One of the most engaging and entertaining comedic couples in any of the works of Shakespeare, is that of Beatrice and Benedick in "Much Ado About Nothing". Both Beatrice and Benedick are essences, they are the progenitors of the cliches of the woman-hater turned lover and the ice-queen turned golden-heart. Both of them experience a very similar sequence of events, both work with their respective tutee's in love in the same way, and both come to realize their love for each other through tricks played upon them by their own friends. In this, Benedick and Beatrice are really the true soul-mates of the story in that they truly seem to be of the same cloth and of the same heart - two halves of the same whole. Their change from enmity to love covers the course of the entire play and, in many ways, is much more engaging, funny, entertaining, and ultimately rewarding than that of Hero and Claudio. It is the purpose of this paper to explore that relationship as it changes over the course of the play, "Much Ado About Nothing".

Tags:much, ado, about

Abstract
A paper on Shakespeare's play "Much Ado About Nothing" supporting the thesis that the plot is a complicated network of schemes and tricks.

Tags:much, ado, nothing

Abstract
The paper comments that strong, vibrant characters are one of William Shakespeare's trademarks and that he rarely makes any social commentary without proving a point. The paper highlights that in "Much Ado About Nothing," Shakespeare uses personal struggles to emphasize the danger of deceit as well as the discovery of self. The paper discusses how Shakespeare uses such struggles to bring unlikely individuals together. Beatrice and Benedick become major players in the game of love despite their indifference toward the subject. Their identities are connected to their marital status and because they are stubborn, they cannot see how they are compatible. The paper discusses how, through the techniques of characterization, plot, and narrative, "Much Ado About Nothing" becomes a play about self-identity.

From the Paper
"The play's action leads each character down the road to self-identity. The plot revolves around love and the love story of Beatrice and Benedick is embedded in Claudio and Hero's story. Love is in the air, so to speak, and Claudio and Hero want these two lovers to finally admit their true feelings for each other. Deception drives the plot, however. Beatrice and Benedick are duped, this is true, but without deception, they would have never had the opportunity for love. The irony is that they would fall in love with each other. This irony makes love more enjoyable and, eventually, the couple is not afraid to admit this fact."

Tags:deceptive, narrative, attitude, clever, deception, witty, primary, victims

Abstract
This paper examines the concept of seeming versus being and reality versus deception in "Much Ado About Nothing". Through an analysis of the relationships of the characters, it considers the question of whether human beings are capable of dealing with the rest of the world in a totally honest way or whether the human race has managed to exist as long as it has by welcoming, even embracing, some forms of deception.

From the Paper
"Then there are those people who are aware of their falsity, but are so at home within it that they won't easily let themselves be brought out into the reality fashioned by what they hide inside. Benedick and Beatrice fit perfectly into this arena. Both are strong characters, probably the most entertaining characters in the entire play. They are both clever and witty to the extreme while also being selfish almost beyond all hope. What each of them wants is exactly what they are disguising themselves to be away from: happily wedded bliss. They certainly "seem" on the outside to desire nothing more from each other than the occasional entertaining battle of humorous repartee. Inside, however, lies their actual "being," two characters who are lonesome for human contact that doesn't rely on their intelligence but rather on simple human emotions."

Tags:deception, disguise, benedick, beatrice

Abstract
This paper examines William Shakespeare's play "Much Ado About Nothing" and in particular, analyzes Shakespeare's portrayal of the theme of love. It covers ideas about heroism and heroines, the shrew and the beautiful Venetian lady and ideals of real and superficial love in reference to the characters, particularly, Claudio, Hero, Benedick and Beatrice. Tools such as foreshadowing, exposition and mirroring are also discussed.

From the Paper
"While Shakespeare is disagreeing with the social ideals of his time in terms of courtship and romance, he is promoting the concept of real love. Shakespeare shows the audience the "true love" of Benedick and Beatrice in a positive light, highly trusting of one another, and loyal to the end "Enough, I am engaged; I will challenge him". Though their relationship started on bad terms, perhaps with a previous courtship that failed "he lent it (his heart) me a while, and I gave him use for it, a double heart for his single one. Marry, once before he won it of me with false dice", with the couple snarling and sneering at one another. Scratching could not make it worse an "twere such a face as yours were", and brought together by comic deception "to bring Signor Benedick and the Lady Beatrice into a mountain of affection the one with the other", they end up with a love that far exceeds that of Hero and Claudio's."

Tags:claudi, hero, benedick, beatrice

Abstract
Shakespeare used many literary devices throughout his history to create timeless classics. The paper shows how masking is the prominent literary motif in "Much Ado About Nothing". Two kinds of masking, both the literal type (in which a character actually wears a mask) and the literary type (when a character hides and/or creates imaginary plots to be put into other characters' minds for their own cause or benefit) are exhibited by Shakespeare in this play.

From the Paper
"The masked ball is one of the more interesting scenes in the play because of the fact that nearly everyone is unmasked before it starts. Leonato and Hero know that Don Pedro will approach her. Beatrice and Benedick flirt sarcastically with each other and are each possibly aware of the other's presence yet pretend not to know the person hiding behind the mask. The other characters all recognize each other as well. Of all the characters present at the masked ball, only the two unmasked characters, Borachio and Don John, are actually wearing masks."

Tags:comedy, masked, ball, Hero, Claudio, Benedick, Beatrice

Abstract
This paper examines how the community in "Much Ado About Nothing" proves to be a microcosm of the way men looked upon women in Shakespeare's era. The gender conflict in this play is strongly present throughout, controlling much of the action and the dialogue. This paper discusses in particular the relationship of Claudio and Benedict.

From the Paper
"In Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing", the community proves to be a microcosm of the way men looked upon women in Shakespeare's era. The gender conflict in this play is strongly present throughout, controlling much of the action and the dialogue. It seems to me that the center point of conversation among the men of Messina was nine times out of ten about the inferiority of women and the superiority of men. When Berger names the women of Messina as spoils of war and commodities, he is hitting the nail on the head. Hero, for example, has lived a wholesome and impeccable life but when she stands accused of adultery, the men need no trial or investigation. The men of Messina made up their minds in about a half of a second about the guilt of a young lady who was looked upon highly in the community. Hero's father Leonato wasted no time either in chastising and defaming his only daughter."

Tags:messina, claudio, benedict, community

Abstract
This essay is a critical review of the Pittsburgh Public Theater's performance of Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing". Many of the positive aspects are highlighted, such as the liveliness and fun of the ensemble and the lighting, atmosphere, music and dancing. At the same time the flaws of the play are also mentioned such as the relationship between Beatrice and Benedick.

From the Paper
"Much Ado About Nothing" performed at the Pittsburgh Public Theater was a lively and entertaining performance of Shakespeare's play with this the main feature that stood out. Overall, all the aspects of the play worked together to make this a fun version. The one flaw that was apparent occurred in the relationship between Beatrice and Benedick, the pair never seeming to have enough chemistry together to pull off their relationship of trading insults.

Tags:entertaining, fun, chemistry, lively atmosphere

Abstract
This paper examines in how the film version, director Kenneth Branagh takes viewers into a far different Messina than what is generally interpreted from the play's text. From the costumes to the background settings, from the addition of scenes to the emphasis on certain characters, Branagh reserves his right to interpret "Much Ado About Nothing" as he sees fit. This paper sorts through these differences and outlines and details the logic and reasoning behind Branagh's actions.

From the Paper
"Film direction and production of plays allows the viewer to see with their own eyes the relationships between characters, the focus of the themes, and the other aspects of plays such as costumes, the representations of the players, and so forth. In other words,the viewers are given the opportunity to let their imagination and curiosity come to fruition. When I read a play I try to visualize what I am reading and really explore my imagination to see the action as it is occurring in my mind. Often times however, my imagination is shattered somewhat when I see the film production. Such is the case with Branagh's "Much Ado About Nothing". "

Tags:costume, messina, version, playtext, setting

Abstract
In his famous play, "Much Ado About Nothing," Shakespeare gives us not only a fine comedy, but also a keen look into human nature. He shows the trickery and deceit certain characters use to achieve their ends and, in a way, the comedy is actually a sober look at what happens in society in any age, including our own.