Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" Transcends Time. Essay Example
CLOSE STUDY OF A TEXT: SPEAKING TASK
Comedy is, by nature, difficult to translate as its appeal depends on local and topical interest. However, William Shakespeare ahs evidently proven in his play “Much Ado about Nothing”, that comedy can transcend time. This play, which was written in a patriarchal society, can be applied to today’s modern audience in a post – feminist world. Shakespeare’s conventions have ensured the ongoing success and due to his use of sexual innuendos, satire, deceit and wit, the modern audience is willing to look beyond the language barrier. Shakespeare is deemed unique because he has taken personalities, situations, and events and has used various techniques which can be interpreted into different contexts to be enjoyed 400 years after it was written.
“Much Ado about Nothing” was written between 1598 and 1599, the turn of a century amongst the Elizabethan Era of a patriarchal society. This era reined Britain and become the height of the English Renaissance. The audience of this era expected stock characters and happy endings concluding with marriage and song and dance. Chaos was resolved and order was restored. The complications revolved around the universal theme of love were played on to a comedic measure. Shakespeare expresses the human character, the ongoing human spirit that is timeless. He structures his comedy so it is not topical, thus creating a play that is still enjoyed to this day.
Gender and sexuality play a central role in this play. Shakespeare often uses sexual innuendos phrases with a double meaning, to represent the sexuality and convey the ‘Battle of the Sexes’. For example, the title of the play, “Much Ado about Nothing” has a second meaning. “Nothing” is referred to as gossip and deceit, which runs throughout the play boldly. However, this play has also been interpreted as “Much Ado about N-othing” which in the Elizabethan Era, was known as slang for a females sexual parts.
Throughout the entire play
Comedy is, by nature, difficult to translate as its appeal depends on local and topical interest. However, William Shakespeare ahs evidently proven in his play “Much Ado about Nothing”, that comedy can transcend time. This play, which was written in a patriarchal society, can be applied to today’s modern audience in a post – feminist world. Shakespeare’s conventions have ensured the ongoing success and due to his use of sexual innuendos, satire, deceit and wit, the modern audience is willing to look beyond the language barrier. Shakespeare is deemed unique because he has taken personalities, situations, and events and has used various techniques which can be interpreted into different contexts to be enjoyed 400 years after it was written.
“Much Ado about Nothing” was written between 1598 and 1599, the turn of a century amongst the Elizabethan Era of a patriarchal society. This era reined Britain and become the height of the English Renaissance. The audience of this era expected stock characters and happy endings concluding with marriage and song and dance. Chaos was resolved and order was restored. The complications revolved around the universal theme of love were played on to a comedic measure. Shakespeare expresses the human character, the ongoing human spirit that is timeless. He structures his comedy so it is not topical, thus creating a play that is still enjoyed to this day.
Gender and sexuality play a central role in this play. Shakespeare often uses sexual innuendos phrases with a double meaning, to represent the sexuality and convey the ‘Battle of the Sexes’. For example, the title of the play, “Much Ado about Nothing” has a second meaning. “Nothing” is referred to as gossip and deceit, which runs throughout the play boldly. However, this play has also been interpreted as “Much Ado about N-othing” which in the Elizabethan Era, was known as slang for a females sexual parts.
Throughout the entire play