Though the original connotations and presumptions associated with a title like “Much Ado about Nothing” leave much (or really anything) to be desired, in the case of this play the word “nothing” ironically holds many meanings and great thematic weight. In describing his love for Beatrice, Benedick asserts “there’s a double meaning to that” and this same principle applies in regards to the title (cite). The first interpretation outlines the obvious, asserting that many of the play’s events are based on events that didn’t happen as a result of people being deceived. The second interpretation refers to the subjects of all the fuss, the physicality of the females. The last and arguably most thematically prevalent interpretation is the concept
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Claudio was prepared to exchange marriage vows with Hero based on stereotypes granted to outward appearances alone. Since this was the case, as soon as her virtue was called into question he found it appropriate to change his entire view of her, publically humiliate her, and refuse to wed her. This all happened because he first only saw and failed to note her, and second because of social stereotypes made a big deal about nothing, the nothing being the virtue of a woman. In fact, this man who was prepared to marry her did not know her at all. In fact, Hero’s longest line in the whole play is only eight words long and is spoken to Benedick, not Claudio. The Friar at the wedding spends only a short amount of time with Hero and after noting (not just seeing) her, believes her claims of innocence, “Hear me a little, For I have only been silent so long And given way unto this course of fortune By noting of the lady” (4.1.153-6). The hypocritical social values are revealed in the fact that despite the fact that Claudio did not take the time to note Hero, he was still allowed to marry her.
Conclusion:
Sources:
See Stephen Greenblatt's introduction to Much Ado about Nothing in The Norton Shakespeare (W. W. Norton & Company, 1997 ISBN 0-393-97087-6) at p. 1383.
Gordon Williams A Glossary of Shakespeare's Sexual Language (Althone Press, 1997 ISBN 0-485-12130-1)
Dexter, Gary (13 February 2011). "Title Deed: How the Book Got its Name". The Daily Telegraph (London).
Look for the red text to track where Nothing appears in: Act 2, Scene 3, Act 2, Scene 3, Act 2, Scene 3, Act 2, Scene 3
Claudio was prepared to exchange marriage vows with Hero based on stereotypes granted to outward appearances alone. Since this was the case, as soon as her virtue was called into question he found it appropriate to change his entire view of her, publically humiliate her, and refuse to wed her. This all happened because he first only saw and failed to note her, and second because of social stereotypes made a big deal about nothing, the nothing being the virtue of a woman. In fact, this man who was prepared to marry her did not know her at all. In fact, Hero’s longest line in the whole play is only eight words long and is spoken to Benedick, not Claudio. The Friar at the wedding spends only a short amount of time with Hero and after noting (not just seeing) her, believes her claims of innocence, “Hear me a little, For I have only been silent so long And given way unto this course of fortune By noting of the lady” (4.1.153-6). The hypocritical social values are revealed in the fact that despite the fact that Claudio did not take the time to note Hero, he was still allowed to marry her.
Conclusion:
Sources:
See Stephen Greenblatt's introduction to Much Ado about Nothing in The Norton Shakespeare (W. W. Norton & Company, 1997 ISBN 0-393-97087-6) at p. 1383.
Gordon Williams A Glossary of Shakespeare's Sexual Language (Althone Press, 1997 ISBN 0-485-12130-1)
Dexter, Gary (13 February 2011). "Title Deed: How the Book Got its Name". The Daily Telegraph (London).
Look for the red text to track where Nothing appears in: Act 2, Scene 3, Act 2, Scene 3, Act 2, Scene 3, Act 2, Scene 3