The Complete Much Ado About Nothing
An Annotated Edition Of The Shakespeare Play
by
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BEATRICE 34 He set up his bills here in Messina and challenged Bills: “public notices” (Riverside, 366) 35 Cupid at the flight; and my uncle's fool, reading At the flight: “to an archery contest. Perhaps she means that Benedick proclaimed himself immune to love.” Fool: “jester. It has been suggested that perhaps Beatrice means herself, and is referring obliquely to an earlier romantic encounter with Benedick. See lines 52-55 and II.i.249-53” (Riverside, 366) 36 the challenge, subscribed for Cupid, and challenged Subscribed for: “made an undertaking on behalf of” (Riverside, 366); “signed” (Brooke, 2)
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About the Book
Much Ado About Nothing is a delightful play which pits two intelligent, thinking people against each other, both of whom protest against love (and each other), but who finally come to embrace the other both literally and emotionally. The contretemps between Beatrice and Benedick is emotionally and intellectually satisfying, partially because the audience is included on the joke but also because it is rewarding to see two strong, independent personalities realize they are incomplete. The sub-plot of Hero’s accusation and final denouement is less satisfying as the accusation is patently unfair. However, as Shakespeare reminded us another time, all’s well that ends well.
About the Author
The Complete Much Ado About Nothing is the eighth in a series of conflated editions of Shakespeare’s plays by Donald J. Richardson. The first seven are available from AuthorHouse. The author promises the others will be forthcoming.