William Shakespeare

Much Ado About Nothing: A comedy play by William Shakespeare - Shakespeare Classics Complete and edition

Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy by William Shakespeare thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599, as Shakespeare was approaching the middle of his career. The play was included in the First Folio, published in 1623. By means of "noting" (which, in Shakespeare's day, sounded similar to "nothing" as in the play's title, and which means gossip, rumour, and overhearing), Benedick and Beatrice are tricked into confessing their love for each other, and Claudio is tricked into rejecting Hero at the altar in the erroneous belief that she has been unfaithful. At the end, Benedick and Beatrice join forces to set things right, and the others join in a dance celebrating the marriages of the two couples.




Characters:




Benedick, a lord and soldier from Padua; companion of Don PedroBeatrice, niece of LeonatoDon Pedro, Prince of AragonDon John, "the Bastard Prince", brother of Don PedroClaudio, of Florence; a count, companion of Don Pedro, friend to BenedickLeonato, governor of Messina; Hero's fatherAntonio, brother of LeonatoBalthasar, attendant on Don Pedro, a singerBorachio, follower of Don JohnConrade, follower of Don JohnInnogen, a 'ghost character' in early editions as Leonato's wifeHero, daughter of LeonatoMargaret, waiting-gentlewoman attendant on HeroUrsula, waiting-gentlewoman attendant on HeroDogberry, the constable in charge of Messina's night watchVerges, the Headborough, Dogberry's partnerFriar Francis, a priesta Sexton, the judge of the trial of Borachioa Boy, serving BenedickThe Watch, watchmen of MessinaAttendants and Messengers