What an interesting writing day today yesterday proved to be.

As I said in the prior post, I woke up knowing what I wanted to write, by which I mean that I knew what it was about, not necessarily what I specifically wanted to say. Should have been easy, yes ( Read more... )

So I was thinking about Much Ado About Nothing for some or all of the following reasons:

1. Mary Lee was talking about it on her blog and on Twitter.
2. It's one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. So very many great lines.
3. I'm working on my mysterious Shakespeare poems.

And I went back and read through my posts on the play (where I laughed at ( Read more... )

The first play featured here during Brush Up Your Shakespeare Month was Much Ado About Nothing.

ACT I, scene 1:

Leonato "How much better is it to weep at joy than to joy at weeping!"

Beatrice I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior Benedick: nobody marks you.

Benedick What! my dear Lady Disdain, are you yet living?

Benedick Would you ( Read more... )

So, when we last saw our characters, Hero was fixing to marry Claudio, Benedick and Beatrice were in love but hadn't discussed it, and Don John was busy a-thwarting.

And . . . cue action!On the day of Hero's wedding to Claudio, Claudio declares her a whore, and the Prince seconds it. Don John piles on as well, and Hero faints. Exit everyone ( Read more... )

There's much to love about Much Ado About Nothing, but most of what I love is the relationship between Benedick and Beatrice, who are truly the main characters in this play.

Speaking of characters, let me list them. This is from memory, so if I miss someone, I beg your pardon:

The Messina Crowd
Leonato: a nobleman of Messina, father to Hero, ( Read more... )