Julie Verbruggen Curso monográfico: Shakespeare in Performance
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1.Introduction:Superficially, Much Ado About Nothing is the lightest and most sparkling of Shakespeare’s comedies. Written probably in 1598-99 and printed in a quarto edition from the author’s own manuscript only a year later. For my thesis argument I have chosen to analyse one of the play’s main characters, namely Beatrice. The subplot of the play consists of her and Signior Benedick quarrelling constantly, although beneath the surface they are actually appear to be deeply in love. The subplot in Much Ado About Nothing is elaborated in much detail and is thematically very important to the play’s effect on the audience. The play’s main theme is that of a woman who is falsely accused of unfaithfulness, and therefore Hero and Claudio also play a highly significant role in the play. Even though, I chose to analyse Beatrice because she represents the opposite that society back then stood for. She is undoubtedly among the most powerful female characters Shakespeare has created. She speaks her mind, and does not let herself be suppressed by any one. First I will briefly introduce some background information necessary to understand the play and the analysis I am going to make. I will be covering Elizabethan Times, Elizabethan Theatre and Shakespeare’s Life. Afterwards, I will give a brief summary of the play that will be followed by a detailed character analysis of Beatrice wherein I will also compare her to Hero, since these two personages can be considered as opposites in many ways. |
2.Much Ado About Nothing |