Much Ado About Nothing By Kenneth Branagh

Claudio and Hero’s relationship started off at love at first sight therefore they did not know each

Claudio’s love for Hero appeared very suddenly and many of his actions show that he is very quick to let her go. For example, when Don John tricks Claudio into thinking Don Pedro wooed Hero for himself, Claudio said, “Farewell therefore Hero!” (Shakespeare 23). Rather than defending his relationship he is fully capable of parting ways immediately. It is safe to assume that if he truly loved her, he would have fought for her affection, or at the least, have a formal break up. Another example is when Leonato says, “My brother hath a daughter, Almost the copy of my child that’s dead, And she alone is heir to both of us” (Shakespeare 90-91). At this point, he believes that Hero is dead and this is when Leonato informs Claudio about another person he can marry that is similar to her. He accepts the

Drama text, Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare is a romantic comedy revolved around marriage, dishonesty and love. In 2007, the original play had been interpreted and adapted into a new film text; Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare Retold. This new film version is an adaption for the modern audience who’s views around love and marriage have changed since Elizabethan times. Brian Percival ‘Retold’ the original play, first published in 1623 by reinterpreting it into his own understanding of modern society with the focus of women’s roles nowadays. Whilst doing this Percival has maintained many of Shakespeare’s intentions.

During the beginning of Act 1 Claudio is introduced to Hero the daughter of Signior Leonato and is immediately interested in her stating that quote, “she is the sweetest lady that ever I looked on.” Though interested in her, Claudio wanted Benedick’s approval. When hearing that Claudio was attracted to Hero Benedick immediately was in disapproval of the thought, for in his eyes she was quote “too low for high praise, too brown for fair praise, and too little for great praise. Though disappointed of Benedick’s disapproval, Claudio chose to still peruse Hero. Later on Claudio and Hero get engaged but when Don John an evil man here’s about the engagement he devises a plan to deceived Claudio and destroy the marriage. When Don John’s plan is put into action Claudio falls right into the trap and believes that Hero is cheating on him. Though Claudio is furious he does not confront Hero with his problem but rather holds on to the information until the wedding. The wedding day arrives, and everything is in place. Once Hero has come down the aisle Claudio then starts accusing her of cheating on him. Instead of confronting Hero alone to talk about what he saw, Claudio choose to humiliate her in front of her family and friends. His reaction

Characters in this play have experience love in different ways; starting with Claudio that falls in love with Hero from the first time he sees her, and decided to get married. “In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever I looked on,” (1,1,168) it would seem that the love Claudio has for Hero is a result of first attraction on looks, however, Claudio’s character seems to be immature and inexperienced. Later in the play, when Claudio is suspicious of her, he instantly forgets the love he had for her, and that love turned to a full of hatred. On the other hand, Hero’s willingness to forgive Claudio is just as disturbing as Claudio’s rejection of her. She does not fight for her pride after what Claudio did to her but instead marries him willingly. “And when I lived, I was your other wife, And when you loved, you were my other husband,” (62, 5, 4) this line shows how forgiving and innocent Hero is as a character.

Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing is a visually modern take on classic Shakespeare, using the old English script that Shakespeare wrote. At first, I was very surprised that the language was the original script; I fully expected this to be a complete revision, with modern dialog to fit the present day setting. However, after a few minutes to work back into my Shakespeare tongue I was able to follow the performance smoothly. I thought the choice of a black and white filter for the film was interesting as it made it feel somewhat surreal. If it was not black and white, but shot in color, I feel that the dialog being old English would have felt more out of place in a sense. There were some aspects and scenes that I welcomed in black and white

Oliver Parker’s 1995 interpretation of Shakespeare’s 1600’s timeless classic Othello presents a differing construction of Othello from the original play, achieved through uses of a plethora of film devices. Both the play and the film masterfully spin a tale of romance, tragedy and death telling the fall of glory of Othello due to the acts of his ensign Iago, albeit with several differences in the presentation. Both Shakespeare and Parker explore themes of jealousy, power, and racism through the key characters of Othello and Iago. Parker utilises cutting, close-ups, mise-en-scene, music and a variety of others to bring his own in-depth dissection and construction of Othello.

Based on an anonymous quote, “you can’t love someone you don’t know”, relates too many people in today’s world. This is the same case for the relationship between Hero and Claudio, who although knew little about the other, are more realistic to modern day relationships. The obstacles the couple went through, throughout the play were very similar to the ones many people go through nowadays. Some examples are how, they fell for each others appearance, the couple did not establish trust within each other and how they returned to those who had hurt them. This case shows how many relationships are created and how there are many events to go through before getting into a relationship. Overall, Hero and Claudio’s relationship is most realistic to the modern day relationship.

As I’m seemingly searching the shelves full of books hoping to find the one for me,this book catches my eye. Further and further I get into this book, the more exciting it gets. I can definitely relate to this outgoing character, we’re like the same person. This book showed me what determination is, when the odd are stacked against you but you still go, what you have to do, that’s what this story is all about.

In Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing, there are the usual characters that show up in most of Shakespeare’s pieces. For instance the characters Hero and Claudio could easily be compared to Romeo and Juliet. Both Hero and Juliet are innocent, quite, and beautiful young women who fall in love instantly without conversing with the other person. Likewise, Claudio and Romeo decide to marry these women within twenty-four hours. Because of these characters’ lack of unique and interesting qualities, I

She throws away her old self, stating "Contempt, farewell! and maiden pride, adieu!"(3.1.109). She also choses not to be so protective of her independence and declares love for Benedick, claiming "I will requite thee, Taming my wild heart to thy loving hand"(3.1.111-112). However, the true change in Beatrice does not show until the first church scene in which Claudio publicly humiliates Hero. Beatrice shows deep concern for her cousin Hero, the first time in the play where Beatrice shows concern for another. She is the first to claim Claudio is a liar and declare "on my soul, my cousin is belied!"(4.1.145). Beatrice then proves once again that she is a better person by demanding justice for Hero is met. Through Benedick, Beatrice plots to right the wrong and asks Benedick to "Kill Claudio"(4.1.290). It is in this scene as well that Beatrice, proving a complete turnaround in behavior, confesses to Benedick that "I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest "(4.1.287-288). This shows Beatrice transforming from someone who would scoff at marriage and love, declaring things like "I may sit in a corner and cry heigh-ho for a husband"(2.1.312-313), to someone who easily embraces love from the person she once mocked. But such a dramatic change is seen in her love as well.

The literary element setting includes the time when the story happens and location where the story takes place. Some stories use variety of settings to initiate an interesting beginning. However, the 12 Angry Man has only one fixed setting – the jury room, which is not commonly used in a novel. The author, Reginald Rose, overcomes the limitation in setting by describing changes in weather, initiating different types of character and imitating the events of the murder.

I was not sure how to feel when I learned that my favorite producer had just released what was being marketed as a modern adaptation of my favorite of Shakespeare’s comedies, Much Ado About Nothing. I loved Whedon’s cult classics such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer since the shows had strong female characters who were unapologetic of their sexuality and were revolutionary in the way the shows portrayed queer relationships; however, his more recent work had left a bad taste in my mouth (namely Cabin in the Woods) since the movies seemed to betray the Whedon I had grown accustomed to. However, my love for Shakespeare won out against my reluctance, and I was completely blown away by the simple camera work and Whedon’s ability to interweave the Shakespeare’s

Claudio only saw Hero for a brief moment upon returning from the war, and immediately desires her. Don Pedro agrees to woo the beautiful woman in Claudio's name at the upcoming celebration. He succeeds and summons Claudio who proposes to Hero immediately. As soon as Don John hears of the engagement between Hero and Claudio the audience learns of his desire for Hero. In deep resent of his brother and Claudio, Don John accepts Borrachio's plan of deceiving Claudio into thinking that Hero is promiscuous for the dual purpose of shaming one of his prestigious brother's followers and preventing Claudio and Hero's marriage. Borrachio's plan included having an amorous encounter with

Shakespeare’s work in The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is outstanding in that it presents the audience with a very compelling and forbidden relationship between two people. The highs and lows of this play are a rollercoaster for the audience’s emotions and it can make the experiences ever so involved. One of the scenes that can really affect the audience and their emotions is the scene when Romeo and Juliet have their first kiss. In this short writing, I will analyze a clip from the 1968 version of the play by Paramount Pictures, as well as the 1996 version by 20th Century Fox, and in doing so I will closely look at what the director was trying to accomplish through the use of music, lighting, camera angle, and actor choices. This will allow