popular in the late 1590s (ex "As You Like It"). Indeed, the play is about nothing. It follows the

relationship between Claudio and Hero, which is constantly hampered by plots to disrupt it, and

in the end, the play culminates in Beatrice and Benedick falling in love, which, because it was an

event that was quite predictable, proves to be "much ado about nothing". The pronunciation of

the word "nothing" would, in the late 16th Century, have been "noting," and so the title also

apparently suggests a pun on the word, "noting," and on the use of the word "note" as an

expression of music. In Act Two, scene two ,Balthasar is encouraged to sing, but declines,

saying, "note this before my notes; there's not a note of mine that's worth the noting." (53-54)

However, Don Pedro retorts, "Note notes, forsooth, and nothing," playing on Balthasar's words,

and also demanding that he pay attention to his music and nothing else. In addition, much of the

play is dedicated to people "noting" and overhearing the actions of others, such as the trick

played on Beatrice and Benedick by Leonato, Hero and Claudio. They often observe and

Pedro and Claudio witness this and thereby ruining Claudio''s marriage. Dogberry It is through

and at the same time, a genuinely nice person. The traditional woman of the Elizabethan period,

succeed in resparking a pre-existing flame. This trick that Hero and her maids pull off is not an

finds that he is much taken with her. Claudio, however, has an unfortunate tendency to believe

experiences with him, that somewhere deep inside her heart, she has feelings for him. Benedick

falling for a particular woman, catching him in the act and ridiculing him. What is the Occasion?

with each other and get married. Everyone, the characters and the readers as well, think of that

Benedick for dinner, and Benedick notes "some marks of love in her [Beatrice]," (240-241) and

sophistication. In this way, the idea of the word "nothing" meaning music and dance implies the

picturesque Italian countryside, the actual setting had little influence on the play and the

have thee [Beatrice], but buy this light I take thee for pity. Beatrice: I would not deny you, but by

the characters, Beatrices and Benedick''s true feelings for one another are revealed. Archetypal

Some common words found in the essay are:
Benedick Beatrice, Beatrice Benedick, Don Pedro, Queen Elizabeth, Claudio Hero, Messina Leonato, Beatrice Beatrice, Don John''s, Claudio Benidick, Don John, don pedro, don john, benedick beatrice, claudio hero, beatrice benedick, don john''s, claudio don pedro, hero claudio, claudio don, love beatrice, benedick benedick, don john''s plot, claudio publicly accuses, publicly accuses hero, late 16th century,
Approximate Word count = 3372
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page double spaced)