ntembeast's review against another edition
2.0
There are some people that absolutely worship Shakespeare as an absolute genius of his time, and therefore find him immortalized for all of time. Personally, I love his work, and at the time time, I don't. I think I adore his tragedies, but find it hard for myself to truly fall in love with any of his other pieces. Are they enjoyable? Yes, yes they very much are. But they just don't wow me like I expect them to.
That was the case with the famous Much Ado About Nothing, which makes the title quite ironic, don't you think? It was a pleasant read. And as one of Shakespeare's comedies, it did have quite the few entertaining parts. I think it's especially the kind of play you'd want to read if you're looking to sit back, relax, and enjoy some nonsense and chaos that winds up in some expected romance.
To be perfectly honest, while mildly entertaining, as a whole the play only had one or two parts that absolutely had me cracking grins and laughing. And those were scenes not involving any of the main characters, but rather a bumbling side character that ironically ends up being the only capable one in the entire play filled with supposed royals and super intelligent, conniving people! His name is even weird! Dogberry! And yet he's so gung-ho about everything that he does, and he's so passionate, he constantly says the wrong thing even though we all know what he meant, that you can't help but have a good time watching him somehow manage to work his way through all this "serious" crap going on around him!
Ah, but besides him, I can't quite find anyone else worth laughing for. Sure there's our main couple that supposedly hate each other but who we all know are gonna end up together at the end. They're kinda entertaining, especially since as usual Shakespeare's words are loaded with wit and bite. *Chuckles*
Either way, I say this is one to try out. Shakespeare isn't everyone's cup of tea. So don't go off buying it just 'cause a ton of people obsess over the author. Try it out first. If you like it, copies are cheap enough to find. Hope you enjoy!
That was the case with the famous Much Ado About Nothing, which makes the title quite ironic, don't you think? It was a pleasant read. And as one of Shakespeare's comedies, it did have quite the few entertaining parts. I think it's especially the kind of play you'd want to read if you're looking to sit back, relax, and enjoy some nonsense and chaos that winds up in some expected romance.
To be perfectly honest, while mildly entertaining, as a whole the play only had one or two parts that absolutely had me cracking grins and laughing. And those were scenes not involving any of the main characters, but rather a bumbling side character that ironically ends up being the only capable one in the entire play filled with supposed royals and super intelligent, conniving people! His name is even weird! Dogberry! And yet he's so gung-ho about everything that he does, and he's so passionate, he constantly says the wrong thing even though we all know what he meant, that you can't help but have a good time watching him somehow manage to work his way through all this "serious" crap going on around him!
Ah, but besides him, I can't quite find anyone else worth laughing for. Sure there's our main couple that supposedly hate each other but who we all know are gonna end up together at the end. They're kinda entertaining, especially since as usual Shakespeare's words are loaded with wit and bite. *Chuckles*
Either way, I say this is one to try out. Shakespeare isn't everyone's cup of tea. So don't go off buying it just 'cause a ton of people obsess over the author. Try it out first. If you like it, copies are cheap enough to find. Hope you enjoy!
emmasterry's review against another edition
challenging
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
sblick08's review against another edition
4.0
Was required to read this for a school assignment. Wasn't too bad. I enjoy reading Shakespeare, though there were times when this story dragged a little bit. Otherwise enjoyable
mjones14's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
It was pretty good for a Shakespeare play, even though the plot was very limited. Loved Beatice!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Death
dhalse's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
estherdb's review
5.0
The first Shakespeare play I read completely on my own and completely voluntarily (i.e. not on university reading lists).
I have to say that it now is my favourite Shakespeare play (of those I've read so far).
It is funny, like actually funny, accessible (I would definitely recommend it to first-time Shakespeare readers), and full of snarky wordplay.
My favourite element of the plot would have to be the "skirmishes of wit" between Benedic and Beatrice. Both adorable and immensely entertaining!
Awesome and quick read!
I have to say that it now is my favourite Shakespeare play (of those I've read so far).
It is funny, like actually funny, accessible (I would definitely recommend it to first-time Shakespeare readers), and full of snarky wordplay.
My favourite element of the plot would have to be the "skirmishes of wit" between Benedic and Beatrice. Both adorable and immensely entertaining!
Awesome and quick read!
estherdb's review against another edition
4.0
I still stand by my first review of the play, but let me add some nuances.
I know it's supposed to be a comedy and I know I shouldn't expect deep, well-rounded characters, but re-reading this, I felt a little disappointed in the characters' flatness. Hero: weakling. Beatrice and Benedick: lovely at first, but a little superficial though (do they really care for each other, or do they merely do so because they think the other does and because they just decide to roll with it?). Leonato: Dude, don't say you'd rather have a dead daughter, than a live but possibly dishonorable one. Claudio: naïve little, superficial SOB. And I could go on...
The first Shakespeare play I read completely on my own and completely voluntarily (i.e. not on university reading lists).
I have to say that it now is my favourite Shakespeare play (of those I've read so far).
It is funny, like actually funny, accessible (I would definitely recommend it to first-time Shakespeare readers), and full of snarky wordplay.
My favourite element of the plot would have to be the "skirmishes of wit" between Benedic and Beatrice. Both adorable and immensely entertaining!
Awesome and quick read!
I know it's supposed to be a comedy and I know I shouldn't expect deep, well-rounded characters, but re-reading this, I felt a little disappointed in the characters' flatness. Hero: weakling. Beatrice and Benedick: lovely at first, but a little superficial though (do they really care for each other, or do they merely do so because they think the other does and because they just decide to roll with it?). Leonato: Dude, don't say you'd rather have a dead daughter, than a live but possibly dishonorable one. Claudio: naïve little, superficial SOB. And I could go on...
The first Shakespeare play I read completely on my own and completely voluntarily (i.e. not on university reading lists).
I have to say that it now is my favourite Shakespeare play (of those I've read so far).
It is funny, like actually funny, accessible (I would definitely recommend it to first-time Shakespeare readers), and full of snarky wordplay.
My favourite element of the plot would have to be the "skirmishes of wit" between Benedic and Beatrice. Both adorable and immensely entertaining!
Awesome and quick read!
its_hay's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ionaw26's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
I live for a marriage drama