I find this story to be a bit shallow, but its a play, not easy to do character development. And its a play written in the early 1600's, where the caste system was in play, every person had a place with certain duties, requirements, and not much leeway for deviation. As a result, these stories are a bit constrained. I think its partly why Shakespeare is still read - he is brilliant at telling a story within these constraints, with double entendres and meanings within meanings. As a result, the story can be understood on many different levels (while also bringing in enough people to pay the rent).

Reading it on a modern level is difficult. Between not understanding common phrases of the day, and words meaning different things today and 400 years ago (for an example, look at the word gay), It also doesn't help that most readers (even back then), won't get references to ancient Greek writings, or even contemporary references to "best sellers" of the day.

Onto the story itself - this is a story about love, but love in the 16th century, where making a good match is more important than actual compatibility between partners. That Claudio and Hero are actually in Love (after only a day after knowing each other, without any sort of conversation) is actually a bonus.

Where the story shines is the relationship between Beatrice and Benedict - always circling each other with quick witted barbs, proclaiming that each other is the worst of the worst. Of course, this is not normally accepted behavior on the part of Beatrice. But Shakespeare allows for it by making her an orphan, being raised by her uncle. She is one of the few woman who actually has some sort of say in what happens in her life.

And, it brings to Don John, the bastard brother of Don Pedro, Prince of Arragon. Don John is actually an evil character. He just wants to cause chaos and watch it all burn, and I think he's a great character. No ulterior motives accept to screw over the establishment.

As for this story, I have a hard time with how poor Hero is condemned so quickly. I know, product of its time, but man, what an awful thing, to be completely ruined by rumor. And Claudio, a man who has only met this girl, doesn't even know her well enough to recognize her voice, when someone pretends to be her. Its fairly standard stuff, and without the witticism's of Beatrice and Benedict, this story would probably be considered one of Shakespeare's lesser story.

And on the edition - I read the Revised Penguin Edition from 1986 - I think the Signet Editions are better put together. I rather have the footnotes on the same pages as they occur, so I don't have to flip pages. Also, I think the Signet books have better information about the play, and drama in Shakespeare's time. ( )

Ganz schön, ist wahrscheinlich besser als Theaterstück zu sehen. ( )

The great bickering couple play, as I think the Shrew is far too broad. Beatrice and Benedict, the perfect Dogberry the Constable, and what more could one ask? If you can find in the streaming world, or on DVD, the lovely Emma thompson-Kenneth Branagh version, you will have the best time indeed! The play was extant by 1600. ( )

Some of this went over my head but the supporting material from Melbourne University’s 10 Great Books was excellent and offered me deeper insights. ( )

Read this around a campfire tonight at a Shakespeare Night organized by a wonderful friend who always plans the best things! She’s wonderful too because she cast me as Dogberry, and I had a blast reading his lines.

I’ve been enamored of this play for many years, but I’d never actually read it. I’ve watched the adaptation with Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson over and over, and I love the Joss Whedon version too. I remember seeing Whedon’s adaptation for the first time at the Wisconsin Film Festival and giggling my whole drive home, every time I thought of Nathan Fillion’s performance as Dogberry.

It’s a play full of ridiculous schemes, a romantic hero I want to punch, and the best enemies-to-lovers banter I’ve ever read. It’s fun to read and even more fun to see performed, so if you haven’t done either of those things, get on it, people! ( )