Eighteen unauthorised versions of his plays were, however, published during his lifetime in quarto editions by unscrupulous publishers there were no copyright laws protecting Shakespeare and his works during the Elizabethan era. Some dates are therefore approximate other dates are substantiated by historical events, records of performances and the dates plays appeared in print.
Date first performed It is believed that Much Ado About Nothing was first performed between and In the Elizabethan era there was a huge demand for new entertainment and Much Ado About Nothing would have been produced immediately following the completion of the play. Date first printed It is believed that the script was first printed in As William Shakespeare clearly did not want his work published details of the play would have therefore been noted, and often pirated without his consent, following a performance.
Picture - A scene from the play. It was probably written in and , as Shakespeare was approaching the middle of his career. Although one of the features of Shakespearean comedy is that no one dies, it would be a mistake to assume that death is absent from this genre. The crisis that lies at the center of Much Ado About Nothing troubles many readers and viewers, since the play creates a very strong sense of anger, betrayal, hatred, grief, and despair among the main characters.
Although the crisis ends quickly, Much Ado About Nothing sometimes seems only steps away from becoming a tragedy. Indeed, the line between tragedy and comedy is sometimes fuzzy. Many critics have noted that the plot of Much Ado About Nothing shares significant elements with that of Romeo and Juliet. Although the young lovers Hero and Claudio provide the main impetus for the plot, the courtship between the older, wiser lovers Benedick and Beatrice is what makes Much Ado About Nothing so memorable.
Benedick and Beatrice argue with delightful wit, and Shakespeare develops their journey from antagonism to sincere love and affection with a rich sense of humor and compassion. Don Pedro encourages the union however, and tells Claudio that when he meets that special someone his fear of commitment will be abated. To celebrate the end of the war, a masquerade ball is planned.
Don Pedro, still rooting for Claudio and Hero to be together, will help to woo her on his behalf. His brother Don John uses this distraction to his advantage and tells Claudio that Don Pedro desires Hero for himself. When Claudio confronts Don Pedro the altercation is quickly put at ease and Claudio walks away with the permission to marry Hero. Meanwhile during the ball, Benedick in disguise dances with Beatrice and is dismayed to hear her proclaim him a jester and dull fool.
He vows revenge. Don Pedro and his surrounding men are bored at the idea of waiting a week for a wedding to attend, and plot to make Beatrice and Benedick a match. A series of overheard conversations and trickeries are successful in making both Beatrice and Benedick believe they have been living as objects of unrequited love. They both vow to reconcile their differences. Don John plots that he will prevent the wedding and cause embarrassment to his brother and pain to Leonato and Claudio.
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