Much Ado About Nothing

Much Ado About Nothing (1598–99) remains one of Shakespeare’s most beloved and frequently performed comedies, featuring such memorable characters as the witty, bickering Benedick and Beatrice and the more straightforward Hero and Claudio. Literature professor Joseph Luzzi explores Shakespeare’s lyrical language, narrative techniques, and representations of love, honor, and marriage, among other key themes. Luzzi also discusses how this riveting comedy fits into the broader arc of Shakespeare’s career as a playwright.