Our Signet Classic Shakespeare Series was extensively revised in 1998. We offer the best of everything -- unforgettable works edited by eminent Sha...
read full description
reviews
Oct 07, 2011
Madeline
rated it: 
Much Ado About Nothing, abridged.
CLAUDIO: So, um, Hero, I sorta maybe like you a whole lot will you go to the prom with me?
HERO: We should get married! Squeeeeeee!
BEATRICE: Pfft. Love is for stupid losers who are stupid.
BENEDICK: You know, you might get laid more often if you weren’t such a cynical bitch all the time.
BEATRICE: Fuck you.
BENEDICK: Get in line, sugartits.
*audience is beaten over the head by sexual tension*
More...
CLAUDIO: So, um, Hero, I sorta maybe like you a whole lot will you go to the prom with me?
HERO: We should get married! Squeeeeeee!
BEATRICE: Pfft. Love is for stupid losers who are stupid.
BENEDICK: You know, you might get laid more often if you weren’t such a cynical bitch all the time.
BEATRICE: Fuck you.
BENEDICK: Get in line, sugartits.
*audience is beaten over the head by sexual tension*
More...
13 comments
like
(42 people liked it)
Dec 17, 2009
Kelly
rated it:
Let's face it, there aren't too many of Shakespeare's females who kick ass. Yes, we all can name the four or five that don't quite suck (Kat, Portia, Viola, Emilia, etc) but good strong feminine characters were not, it seems, the bard's strong suit. So as you wade through the whiny, conniving, helpless throngs of man worshipping wenches that appear in nearly all Shakespeare plays, it can be tempting to just give up looking for redemption. But alas, it is this lack of strong feminine voice tha
More...
4 comments
like
(25 people liked it)
Feb 17, 2010
Bram
rated it: 
I’ve always found feistiness attractive. It’s probably the only consistent trait in the girls I’ve fallen for since high school. The clever retort, the unimpressed eye roll, the sarcastic aside: for better or worse, these are the things the pique my interest and prepare me for that unique form of suffering known as love. On my own, I’m hardly confident or witty enough to succeed in one-on-one situations with women who are shy or generally unforthcoming. I need someone to throw down the gaunt
More...
44 comments
like
(26 people liked it)
May 26, 2011
Jeanette
rated it: 
This is an unfunny comedy. A notable exception is the misuse of words by Dogberry and Verges. I wouldn't even have caught that if not for the explanatory notes on the facing pages. I know I missed it when I saw the stage performance. There are a few humorous moments at the start between Beatrice and Benedick as they trade insults. Other than that, the play is more of a twisted romance. It has many of the same elements as other Shakespeare comedies, but it lacks the playfulness and absurdity
More...
0 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Jul 14, 2011
Erin
rated it:
There are spoilers here, but this is Shakespeare. No way am I putting up spoiler tags.
According to the note in my copy, in Shakespeare's day the word "nothing" was pronounced "noting"-- so, "Much Ado About Noting", noting being synonymous with eavesdropping. That pretty much sums up this play.. people putting way too much stock in second-hand information.
There are two (possibly three) main plots, including a messed up marriage between Hero an More...
According to the note in my copy, in Shakespeare's day the word "nothing" was pronounced "noting"-- so, "Much Ado About Noting", noting being synonymous with eavesdropping. That pretty much sums up this play.. people putting way too much stock in second-hand information.
There are two (possibly three) main plots, including a messed up marriage between Hero an More...
0 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Jun 11, 2010
Choupette
rated it:
I found the Hero/Claudio plot really jarring and could barely see past it to get to the humour. The version I saw of it (before I read the play) cut out huge chunks of that particular subplot; Claudio was portrayed as an innocent, a young man who made a mistake. Which, I don't know, maybe the purists would get upset about, but it definitely made it a whole lot funnier.
In the actual play, though, my god he's a bastard. At the moment I'm in a place where I cannot stand that STUPID trop More...
In the actual play, though, my god he's a bastard. At the moment I'm in a place where I cannot stand that STUPID trop More...
3 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Feb 14, 2011
Joyzi
rated it:
Cute, sweet, witty, entertaining, funny, tragic and romantic.
The Benedick/Beatrice love-hate relationship brings the gem in this play. They literally hate each other at first because of their views about love and marriage. They both swear to live as a bachelor forever rather to be married. After that their friends plan to make them fall in love with each other by deceiving both of them that the other love them and just not want to tell it to the other. Their chemistry is just lovely th More...
The Benedick/Beatrice love-hate relationship brings the gem in this play. They literally hate each other at first because of their views about love and marriage. They both swear to live as a bachelor forever rather to be married. After that their friends plan to make them fall in love with each other by deceiving both of them that the other love them and just not want to tell it to the other. Their chemistry is just lovely th More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 17, 2009
Maria
rated it:
Shakespeare isn't usually my cup of tea but "Much Ado About Nothing" is easily the best play I've read by him. It's funny with lots of quick puns. I read it both in English and in Danish in order to get the full value of it - the Danish so I'd actually understand what was going on, and the English in order to enjoy the puns! Something interesting that I wasn't aware of - originally 'Nothing' and 'Noting'(i.e. overhearing) meant the same, so the title is really "Much Ado About Noti
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Aug 09, 2011
It's suprising to me that Much Ado about Nothing is one of Shakespeare's most recognized comedies, but most people don't really think stacks up to the rest of his work like Taming of the Shrew or A Midsummer Night's Dream. I've always harbored a deep attachment to Much Ado, because for me it has incited a new interpretation every time I read it. I'm willing to admit that A Midsummer Night's Dream is my favorite of ALL Shakespeare's plays, however, Much Ado comes in a close second. In my persona
More...
Feb 10, 2012
Kirstine
rated it:
Oh, what a lovely play! In a minute I will turn on the 2011 adaptation with David Tennant and Catherine Tate as Benedick and Beatrice, because as amusing and witty as this play was to read, it is meant for the stage, as are all plays (obviously), and I believe that's how they're best experienced. Also, I think Tennant and Tate will be absolutely wonderful in their roles, and bring so much life and humour to the already great dialogue.
I really love Benedick and Beatrice, with their ban More...
I really love Benedick and Beatrice, with their ban More...
Dec 20, 2011
Rosa
rated it:
Thanks to the reading challenge I decided to do this year, I am actually and finally reading books I always "wanted" and "meant" to read. Much Ado About Nothing is one such book. The title says it all! What a big hoopla we make about something like love. I absolutely loved the quick and funny wit of Beatrice and Benedick (like many others, I am sure). Even when they are fighting, they are hilarious and I can't help but quote their better insults.
Hero and Claudio ar More...
Hero and Claudio ar More...
Dec 02, 2011
Tiffany.wade
rated it:
The Genre of this book is a Play
This play was published in the 1600's by William Shakespeare. In the beginning of the play, everyone goes to a costume mask party. While there Claudio asks Don Pedro to woo Hero for him because Claudio loves Hero. Eventually Don Pedro gets Hero to fall in love with Claudio. A week before the wedding, the "bad Guy", Don John tries to get Claudio and Hero to break up and ruin Hero's reputation. He comes up with an evil plan to make Margaret (Hero's More...
This play was published in the 1600's by William Shakespeare. In the beginning of the play, everyone goes to a costume mask party. While there Claudio asks Don Pedro to woo Hero for him because Claudio loves Hero. Eventually Don Pedro gets Hero to fall in love with Claudio. A week before the wedding, the "bad Guy", Don John tries to get Claudio and Hero to break up and ruin Hero's reputation. He comes up with an evil plan to make Margaret (Hero's More...
Nov 21, 2011
Patrick
rated it:
I don't think I have ever made it all the way through anything by Shakespeare. I am sure I read bits and pieces in high school and college classes, but I don't remember much more than a passing glance at the stories. Anyway, I decided to pick this up and see what I thought of it. As an idiot, I am exceedingly happy that I picked up the Cambridge School version. Between each page there is a summation of the action, and a description of the (many) words that are hard to understand. I would have be
More...
Sep 06, 2011
dee
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
May 26, 2011
Jordan
rated it:
"Much Ado About Nothing" is a play written by WIlliam Shakespeare in the 1600s. This is a Comedy Play about two pairs of lovers, Claudio and Hero, and Benedick and Beatrice. Throughout the story, both couples encounter walls that block their admission to true love for one another. Don Pedro, who is a good friend of Claudio, has a half brother named Don John that seeks to ruin other people's lives for the fun of it. Don John and his crew plot a plan to ruin Claudio and Hero's marriage.
More...
May 25, 2011
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
May 25, 2011
Jacob
rated it:
William Shakespeare, one of the greatest play writers of all time, wrote many different plays. One of the plays that he wrote is called: Much Ado About Nothing. Now the book that I read was written in English, but the English was as if you were living during the time of William Shakespeare. This made the book very hard to follow and many parts of the book you didn’t understand what was going on. When we discussed the book after each part, I was thinking the complete opposite of what was real
More...
May 25, 2011
In Much Ado About Nothing, while there were many characters, the main people the story focused on was Hero, Claudio, Don Pedro, and his brother Don John. The story begins with Claudio and Don Pedro returning from war with Claudio seeing Hero for the first time. He falls in love with her immediately and being good friends with Don Pedro; Don Pedro planes to woo Hero into falling in love with Claudio. Because of Don John's jealousy and envy of Claudio's power, he decides he would do anything to me
More...
May 22, 2011
Christina
rated it:
Genre: Play
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
1)The thing that I liked about the play was how much I ended up liking it, I loved the humor and dramatic parts woven into the story. The characters were entertaining and unique. In the begining it was hard to understand anything or even what was going on but as the play went on it got easier.
2)The thing that I disliked about the play was the long paragrphs with detail. They just made understanding the m More...
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
1)The thing that I liked about the play was how much I ended up liking it, I loved the humor and dramatic parts woven into the story. The characters were entertaining and unique. In the begining it was hard to understand anything or even what was going on but as the play went on it got easier.
2)The thing that I disliked about the play was the long paragrphs with detail. They just made understanding the m More...
May 22, 2011
Jon
rated it: 
Much Ado About Nothing is a play by William Shakespeare. It is a comedy. It was hard to understand because it is written in old English do they use some different words. The story and plot was good, it was interesting and keep you guessing what was coming next.
It is about two young ladies, and a few young men that will all fall in love. The men all come back from the war to get married but not all of them want to be married. The one evil one out of the men is Don John. He is aw More...
It is about two young ladies, and a few young men that will all fall in love. The men all come back from the war to get married but not all of them want to be married. The one evil one out of the men is Don John. He is aw More...
Apr 27, 2011
Benjamin
rated it:
Re-read for assessment. This is probably Shakespeare's most farcical play and it relies mainly on gossip to propel the story. The title shows that even Shakespeare acknowledges that the play is quite pointless. One of his most entertaining plays, I loved the repartee between Benedick and Beatrice, and their respective plots seem to mirror one another almost exactly.
Although Claudio and Hero are meant to be the 'straight guys' in the comedy and the true lovers, they take a backseat to More...
Although Claudio and Hero are meant to be the 'straight guys' in the comedy and the true lovers, they take a backseat to More...
Apr 04, 2011
Shaun
rated it:
“Serve God, love me, and mend.”
Just finished Much Ado About Nothing here in Maruata, Mexico. So wonderfully refreshing to sit down with my main man William Shakespeare again, even if this play is obviously not his best. There were many product of his time themes that served as the foundation for the play, but there were some interesting topics which were raised as well. Also, crickey, I have to ask what the deal is with masks back then? They must have been hilarious and made you More...
Just finished Much Ado About Nothing here in Maruata, Mexico. So wonderfully refreshing to sit down with my main man William Shakespeare again, even if this play is obviously not his best. There were many product of his time themes that served as the foundation for the play, but there were some interesting topics which were raised as well. Also, crickey, I have to ask what the deal is with masks back then? They must have been hilarious and made you More...
Mar 17, 2011
If you thought that television shows and movies such as Days of Our Lives and Mean Girls respectively were original, you don't what you are missing out on. Shakespeare's play "Much Ado About Nothing" is the godfather, the pioneer, the mastermind behind the magic of capturing people's attention through the traditional gossip filled love story. His play contains all of the typical emotions and themes that modern love stories include, such as betrayal, control, jealousy, hearsay, and of c
More...
Mar 17, 2011
Monica
rated it:
William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing is a classically written old English play created in the 19th century. Shakespeare is internationally known for his poems and playwrights. He often is regarded as the “greatest writer of the English language”. Because Much Ado About Nothing was written in old English, it was very hard to read and understand the content. Thankfully there was a modern text conversion on Spark Notes. Like many of Shakespeare's plays, Much Ado About Nothing is a story pla
More...
Mar 17, 2011
Deni
rated it:
Much Ado About Nothing is just another well written 19th century play by William Shakespeare. From lying to back stabbing to love and back, he found a way to put these all together to make an amazing twist you wouldn't expect. This book was a hard one to follow but it can really show you how gossip can be misleading and can lead to backstabbing. Gossip is one thing that has been around for awhile and this is one example of that.
Much Ado About Nothing is a lot about nothing, just as the t More...
Much Ado About Nothing is a lot about nothing, just as the t More...
Feb 26, 2011
Tiger Holland (All-Consuming Books)
rated it:
Leonato, governor of Messina, is hosting Don Pedro, prince of Aragon, who has just returned from a successful military campaign. Claudio is one of Don Pedro's noble soldiers and he instantly falls in love with Leanato's daughter Hero while another soldier named Benedick snaps and quarrels with Leonato's niece, Beatrice. Guess which couple is more interesting? But everybody's relationships are thrown into a snarl when Don Pedro's evil brother Don John casts aspersions on Hero's virtue. Claudio is
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Nov 02, 2010
Amber
rated it:
(Approximated) My colleagues' and my pre-class musings over this play:
Elizabeth: What questions is Dr. Bamford writing on the board now... 'Why does Claudio shame Hero?' Well...
Me: Because he's a gullible jerk. With the excuse of being young. Lame.
Elizabeth: Agreed.
Caroline: 'Why is Don Pedro involved?'
Elizabeth: Because he's an arrogant, gullible prick. Man, I can't wait to see those two get brought down a notch.
Me: 'Why does Leonato not believe Hero?'
More...
Elizabeth: What questions is Dr. Bamford writing on the board now... 'Why does Claudio shame Hero?' Well...
Me: Because he's a gullible jerk. With the excuse of being young. Lame.
Elizabeth: Agreed.
Caroline: 'Why is Don Pedro involved?'
Elizabeth: Because he's an arrogant, gullible prick. Man, I can't wait to see those two get brought down a notch.
Me: 'Why does Leonato not believe Hero?'
More...
Jun 16, 2010
Corinne
rated it:
How many 17th century dramatic works can make you laugh out loud with mirth? Not many I'd guess, but I tell you what, this is one of them. It's the story of Benedick and Beatrice, both of whom are adamantly anti-marriage, both experts of the witty retort and whom for all intents and purposes, loathe each other.
That Shakespeare, though, of course has a trick up his sleeve and this time, Benedick and Beatrice's friends conspire to convince each one that the other is desperately in lov More...
That Shakespeare, though, of course has a trick up his sleeve and this time, Benedick and Beatrice's friends conspire to convince each one that the other is desperately in lov More...
3 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 18, 2010
Bruce
rated it:
Witty from the onset, a quintessence of sharp and incisive repartee, the play is mostly in prose, filled with the conventions of courtly love in noble society. The opposition of Beatrice and Benedick is at the heart of this delightful comedy, but the near-tragic subplot of Hero and Claudio contributes to the entertaining variety, as do the villainy of Don John and his henchmen and the antics of Dogberry (played perfectly by Michael Keaton in Kenneth Branagh’s filming of the play).
Th More...
Th More...
Dec 09, 2009
Kristin
rated it:
I thoroughly enjoyed the humor in this play. I was not happy about how Claudio assumed the worst of Hero so easily, but he was deceived and thought he had a legitimate reason for believing that she was unfaithful to him the night before their wedding.
The fun lies with Beatrice and Benedick, however. Benedick is witty and is constantly making fun of his friends for wanting to get married. Beatrice is very outspoken and has no interest whatsoever to have a husband. Beatrice and B More...
The fun lies with Beatrice and Benedick, however. Benedick is witty and is constantly making fun of his friends for wanting to get married. Beatrice is very outspoken and has no interest whatsoever to have a husband. Beatrice and B More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
