Much Ado About Nothing

Much Ado about Nothing

By Alicia Federico

Over time society has changed and the views are perceptions seen by people have changed. Many writers have tried to keep up with a constantly evolving society, using themes and languages to aid them in inspiring a modern audience.
Much Ado About Nothing was originally a play, created by a successful play writer William Shakespeare. The play has now been produced into a film directed by Kenneth Branagh, who also played the role of one of the characters, Benedick. Much Ado About Nothing expresses meanings and messages which has relevance today. Before women’s liberation began, a woman’s position in society was vastly different. The play contains many themes which are still relevant; among them trust, loyalty, friendship, love, evil vs. good and honor.
Shakespeare’s language is very old fashioned and is dated, although Shakespeare’s themes and messages continue to have significance and relevancy to modern audiences. The themes discussed in the play Much Ado About Nothing a romantic comedy (written by William Shakespeare), is focusing its attention on relationships, the importance of trust (in maintaining relationship), loss of honor and the roles and status of women






today. This definitely has impacted on people in society today.
The importance of trust is relevant today and in Shakespearean time. Shakespeare’s play Much Ado About Nothing, did manage to focus its attention on trust and its importance. Apart in the play where trust is betrayed is when “confirmed, confirmed! O, that is stronger made which was before barred up with ribs of iron! Would the two Princes lie, and Claudio lie, Who loved her so, that, speaking of her foulness, Washed it with tears? Hence from her, let her die!” said by Leonato (IV.I 150). Claudio and others are lead to believe that Hero has been unfaithful; therefore, Claudio has been left with no choice but to not marry Hero. I believe hat Claudio deep down never thought Hero would cheat and be unfaithful but, is own brother said so and was believed as he saw with his own eyes, also he thought.

Loss of honor was one of the many themes throughout this play, which was on of the most dramatic scenes in the play. For example in the play where the wedding ceremony was aborted because Claudio rejects Hero accusing her in front of her father and a shaming her of infidelity. This was the climax of the play. Women’s virginity was based on a women’s honor. “Hence from her, let her die”. This is where Claudio protests that Hero should die for being unfaithful. Claudio speaks of Hero’s loss of honor. Even though Hero has been framed, if it was true Hero and her family would have loss a lot of their respect and honor.
The roles and status of women in the play, I personally think is the one of the most important messages and themes brought to reader’s attention (especially for young females). One of the characters in the play, Beatrice was a fine example of a strong, independent women, she spoke her mind and not only honored herself as others did to. Beatrice’s outrage at Hero’s humiliation is a significant example of her position of women. “Is he not approved in the height a villain that has slandered, scorned, dishonored my kinswomen? O that I was a man ... O God, that I were a man! I would eat his heart in the market-place” (IV, i, 297-302). This part of the play represents that Beatrice wishes that she had to power as men did and she would like to avenge Hero’s disgrace and shame.



And so we have come to a conclusion in our speculation about the relevance of the play to modern audiences. By examining each of the main themes in the play and focusing on, the importance of trust, loss of honor and the roles and status of women, the audience will be grateful for the significance of the play. Women will definitely realize and value the freedom we have today.
Much Ado about Nothing
By Alicia Federico
Over time society has changed and the views are perceptions seen by people have changed. Many writers have tried to keep up with a constantly evolving society, using themes and languages to aid them in inspiring a modern audience.
Much Ado About Nothing was originally a play, created by a successful play writer William Shakespeare. The play has now been produced into a film directed by Kenneth Branagh, who also played the role of one of the characters, Benedick. Much Ado About Nothing expresses meanings and messages which has relevance today. Before women’s liberation began, a woman’s position in society was vastly different. The play contains many themes which are still relevant; among them trust, loyalty, friendship, love, evil vs. good and honor.
Shakespeare’s language is very old fashioned and is dated, although Shakespeare’s themes and messages continue to have significance and relevancy to modern audiences. The themes discussed in the play Much Ado About Nothing a romantic comedy (written by William Shakespeare), is focusing its attention on relationships, the importance of trust (in maintaining relationship), loss of honor and the roles and status of women






today. This definitely has impacted on people in society today.
The importance of trust is relevant today and in Shakespearean time. Shakespeare’s play Much Ado About Nothing, did manage to focus its attention on trust and its importance. Apart in the play where trust is betrayed is when “confirmed, confirmed! O, that is stronger made which was before barred up with ribs of iron! Would the two Princes lie, and Claudio lie, Who loved her so, that, speaking of her foulness, Washed it with tears? Hence from her, let her die!” said by Leonato (IV.I 150). Claudio and others are lead to believe that Hero has been unfaithful; therefore, Claudio has been left with no choice but to not marry Hero. I believe hat Claudio deep down never thought Hero would cheat and be unfaithful but, is own brother said so and was believed as he saw with his own eyes, also he thought.

Loss of honor was one of the many themes throughout this play, which was on of the most dramatic scenes in the play. For example in the play where the wedding ceremony was aborted because Claudio rejects Hero accusing her in front of her father and a shaming her of infidelity. This was the climax of the play. Women’s virginity was based on a women’s honor. “Hence from her, let her die”. This is where Claudio protests that Hero should die for being unfaithful. Claudio speaks of Hero’s loss of honor. Even though Hero has been framed, if it was true Hero and her family would have loss a lot of their respect and honor.
The roles and status of women in the play, I personally think is the one of the most important messages and themes brought to reader’s attention (especially for young females). One of the characters in the play, Beatrice was a fine example of a strong, independent women, she spoke her mind and not only honored herself as others did to. Beatrice’s outrage at Hero’s humiliation is a significant example of her position of women. “Is he not approved in the height a villain that has slandered, scorned, dishonored my kinswomen? O that I was a man ... O God, that I were a man! I would eat his heart in the market-place” (IV, i, 297-302). This part of the play represents that Beatrice wishes that she had to power as men did and she would like to avenge Hero’s disgrace and shame.



And so we have come to a conclusion in our speculation about the relevance of the play to modern audiences. By examining each of the main themes in the play and focusing on, the importance of trust, loss of honor and the roles and status of women, the audience will be grateful for the significance of the play. Women will definitely realize and value the freedom we have today.