Much Ado About Nothing

About the book

Forming a critique of Shakespeare's comedy, this book is part of a series designed to introduce sixth-form and undergraduate students to the themes, continuing vitality and performance of major dramatic works. The attention given to production aspects is an element of special importance, responding to the invigoration given to literary study by the work of leading contemporary critics. The prime aim of this series is to present the plays as an experience in the mind of the reader which is achieved by analysis of the text in relation to its themes and theatricality. Emphasis is accordingly placed on the relevance of the work to the modern reader and the world of today. At the same time, traditional views are presented and appraised, forming the basis from which a creative response to the text can develop. In each volume, part one includes the text with a discussion of certain themes or problems as well as character analysis. In part two the actual performance is discussed and the ways in which the problems and themes have been handled in modern productions.