In the late 16th century the word ‘nothing’ would have been pronounced ‘noting’ Thus, the play's title could read: "Much Ado About Noting". Already Shakespeare hints that there might be a double meaning involving the word ‘nothing’. Without a doubt many of the players participate in the actions of observing, listening and writing, or noting.
Also, in Shakespeare’s period, a ‘thing’ referred to a man’s genitals, so therefore the word ‘no-thing’ may have been an Elizabethan euphemism for female genitalia. This might insinuate Shakespeare’s love of using sexual innuendos to create double meanings, a means of deception and henceforth connecting to the title once again.
Another example of Shakespeare using sexual innuendos as a method of deception is the conversation between Benedick and Margaret; the comments are oozing double entendres. Margaret remarks ‘’Give us the swords, we have bucklers of our own” in response Benedick replies “if you use them, Margaret, you must put in the pikes with a vice, and they are dangerous weapons for maids” (Act 5 Scene 2 lines 13 - 15). The dual meaning of both sword and pike, at the time the play was written, was penis. When Benedick talks of using the vice, he might also mean gripping thighs.
In order for a plot derived from instances of deceit to work, the characters must have been able to note one another frequently
Benedick first notes the deliberate conversation between Claudio and Don Pedro claiming Beatrice was too madly in love with him but was afraid to admit it for fear of Benedicks scorn “She doth well: if she had made tender of her love, ‘tis very possible he’ll scorn it, for the man hath a contemptible spirit.” (Act 2 Scene 3 Lines 153 – 155).
Shortly afterwards Beatrice is called to deliberately note the conversation between Hero and Ursula also telling of Benedicks undying love for her but fear to say anything because of her arrogance: “Nature never framed a woman’s heart of prouder stuff than that of Beatrice” (Act 3 Scene 1 lines 49 – 50). “And therefore certainly it were not good she knew of his love, less she’ll make sport at it” (Act 3 Scene 1 lines 57 - 58).
When the women (Hero, Ursula and Margaret) manipulate Beatrice into believing that Benedick adores her, they conceal themselves in the orchard so that Beatrice can note their conversation and hopefully fall for their deceit. Hero is positive that Beatrice wouldn’t mind eavesdropping, so they are sure that their plot will succeed: “There will she hide her. To listen to our purpose” (Act 3 Scene 1 lines 11 – 12) "look where Beatrice like a lapwing runs / Close by the ground to hear our conference", notes Hero (Act 3 Scene 1 lines 24 – 25). Each line the women speak is a carefully placed note for Beatrice to absorb and consider.
Don John's plan to diminish Claudio’s love for Hero and destroy their relationship relies on the idea of noting: if Claudio is to believe that Hero is unchaste and adulterous, he must be brought to her window to observe, or note, (whom he notes to be Hero) bidding farewell to .
Don Pedro pretends to be Claudio in order to woo Hero for him, Don John pretends to be an honest friend, with his brother’s and Claudio’s best interests at heart, Leonato and his family pretend that Hero is dead in order to fool Don Pedro and Claudio and make them feel guilty, this idea being initiated by the friar.
In the present day, a friar or his equivalent would be a person you’d least expect to be involved with deceit much less instigate it. In contrast, 400 years ago this would not have been the case. Friars were of no fixed community and weren’t answerable to any one and so it was almost expected of them to be deceitful. Maybe this is why Shakespeare used them a lot in order to represent a character who could deceive others but not be seen as a villain unlike Don John. This situation is comparable to the one in Romeo and Juliet. The friar (Lawrence) also suggested that deceit would be the way to turn things around, disastrously his good intentions only succeeded in precipitating a major tragedy.
In continuation Don Pedro, Claudio, Hero, Ursula and Margaret all take part in the plot to make Beatrice and Benedick fall in love with each other.
Both wedding scenes and the performance at Hero’s “resting place” can be considered a play within a play, similar to the scenario in ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’.
The word ‘noting’ denotes the idea of people watching, monitoring or examining the actions of others and in correlation the majority of the play is devoted to the idea of people noting or observing the proceedings of others and too often misapprehending them and as a result, making an immense deal of something that hadn’t in fact been anything major, and therefore reiterating the title ‘Much Ado About Nothing’.
The watchmen in particular play an important role in contributing to idea of noting. The title ‘watchmen’ itself and the fact that it’s actually their paid profession to note the actions and conduct of others, in particular wrong doers, immediately links to the title and main theme of the play.
They parody the ruling class and ironically their distorted vision uncovers the truth to which their superiors remain stubbornly blind.
The play ends with music, dancing and marriage where Benedick wholeheartedly embraces man being a changeable creature. All masks are removed for the revelry; he no longer hides behind his line of work but is openly stating what he has found himself to be.
In conclusion I think that the play was undeniably ‘much ado about noting’.
The noting and interfering in one case led to disarray and and in another case led to true love finally being created, acknowledged or possibly rekindled in view of the prospect that Benedick and Beatrice might have had some form of relationship quite a while ago: “I know you of old” (Act 1 Scene 1 line 107)
There are many instances in the play where the audience might have contemplated what if this had happened? Or what if this hadn’t happened?
For example what if Hero false death had had the same effect as Juliet’s false death in ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Claudio might have never forgiven himself, resulting in him taking his own life. ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ would have then been a tragedy rather than a comedy.
Taken as a whole the play was indeed ‘Much Ado About Nothing’. Nothing out of the ordinary would have happened, had there been no noting. Claudio would not have been noting Hero and consequently fallen for her “Benedick, didst thou note the daughter of Signor Leonato?” (Act 1 Scene 1 line 139). Subsequently Don John would not have been given the opportunity to sabotage their relationship and Claudio would not have noted whom he thought to be Hero bidding farewell to Borachio. The watchmen would not have noted the conversation between Borachio and Conrad and last but not least Beatrice and Benedick would not have noted the conversations although it was deliberate and fallen for each other and hence all else that stemmed from these two love affairs would not have happened.
Total 1,587 words.
Mrs. Mynors Nancie Isibor