Critical appreciation of Much ado about Nothing

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“Much ado about nothing” is Kenneth Branagh’s film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s better-known comedies. The film is centered on the romance of Hero and Claudio and also the romance of Benedick and Beatrice. Hero and Claudio, undergo the conventional “love at first sight”. From their first glance of each other at the beginning of the play, there is instant attraction, without having knowing much of each other. Beatrice and Benedick, however, have known each other for quite some time and though at first their squabbles can be easily mistaken for hate towards each other, it becomes very clear to the viewer the hidden attraction between the two. It doesn’t take much effort to set the two up; they are in love with each after one simple trick that was carefully planned by Don Pedro, who plays cupid in the play.

Kenneth Branagh’s, the director of the play, is very learned in Shakespeare and this wealth of knowledge and wisdom, is greatly displayed in the film. “There is no one today who can do Shakespeare like Brangah,” comments Steve Rhodes in his 1995 review of the film. The play is interpreted into something ore comprehensive and clearer, so that persons who are not accustomed to enjoying Shakespeare would find it quite easy to be intrigued and able to catch up with the plot of the play at all times.

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It is not the lines that create laughter, but the physical actions of the character, example Benedick (act two, scene three) and his prop, which is a chair. As he struggles to sit in this chair, it provides the viewer with laughter without words having to be said. The way the scenes are set up, and the delivery of lines by the actors in the film, also contribute to the hilariousness of the film. Expression and action usually plays a large part in a comedy and are things that are better to be seen, rather than read on a ...

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