Учебное пособие 4 unit I. The renaissance 1485-1649

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
The war of wit between the independently-minded lovers-to-be Beatrice
and Benedick has made
Much Ado About Nothing
one of the most popular of
Shakespeare’s comedies with modern audiences. The pair’s favored status
has a long history: in his copy of Shakespeare’s published works, Charles I
amended the play’s title to read “Benedicke and Betteris”. Nevertheless, their
relationship is, in as far as the structure of the play is concerned, only a sub-
plot to the conventional romance played out by their counterparts, Claudio
and Hero. In this, the first scene of the play, the two intertwining stories are
set up, and Beatrice and Benedick soon look set to steal the show. Leonato,
his daughter Hero, and niece Beatrice await the return of the men who have
been away at war. On their arrival, the quick-witted Benedick is soon
involved in a “merry war” with the sharp-tongued Beatrice. In spite of their
rivalry, the couple’s inability to think of much except for each other soon
reveals to the audience, if not to themselves, the true nature of their feelings.
Meanwhile, Claudio, much honored for his valour on the battlefield,
confesses his love for the beautiful Hero, and, having confirmed that she is
worthy of him, accepts the support of Don Pedro, the Prince of Arragon, in
obtaining her hand in marriage.
The witty comedy
Much Ado About Nothing,
written about 1599 and first
published the following year, concerns two pairs of lovers. In the play’s main
plot, the war hero Claudius is deceived into believing Hero has been
unfaithful and calls off their wedding, until he is forced to recognize his error
and take her as his wife. The subplot, a “merry war” of words and wit
between Beatrice and Benedick, has long delighted audiences. Although the
two outwardly dislike each other, the audience soon comprehends the real
affection between the two. One of the play’s most popular characters is the
bumbling village constable Dogbery, who finally exposes the plot that has
deceived Claudio. In 1993 a film version was released, starring Kenneth

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Branagh and Emma Thompson.