Much Ado About Nothing
Analysis of Much Ado About Nothing
In Joss Whedon's retelling of Much Ado About Nothing, much of the movie is unchanged from that of Shakespeare's original play. Differences include the modern-day setting, the switching of Conrade's gender and expanding Ursula's role only slightly by giving her some of Margaret's scenes. Whedon's film imagery advances an unusual interpretation of the original play, in that Beatrice and Benedick had had a one night stand before the rest of the plot unflods. This emphasizes four lines from Act II, scene I, where Beatrice, responding to the accusation that she has “lost her heart” of Benedick, answers,
“Indeed my lord, he lent it me awhile and I gave him for use it—a double heart for his single one.
Marry, once before he won it of me with false dice; therefore your grace may well say I have lost it.”
Whedon overlays these lines with heavy imagery of Beatrice and Benedick as lovers, clearing the way to seeing the pair as finding their way back to a lost love, rather than finding it for the first time. The scene demonstrates how film techniques can add nuanced interpretation to the text. The movie is filmed in black and white, which helps tie it to the screwball romantic comedies of the 1930s and 1940s, such as His Girl Friday and Bringing Up Baby.
Another difference is that in the play version, a messenger arrives to inform the wedding party that Don Jon has been captured. Yet, in the movie, they learn of the news on a video on a smart phone. These minute differences enunciate the fact that the modern retelling is in a modern setting. The characters dress in modern clothes and the appearance of a photographer also helps to stress the differences. True to the Shakespearean fashion, though, the characters' dialogue remains intact. There is no difference in delivery or line structure than in the play, as compared to the movie.
The setting lends itself to the production, as well. Whedon's home is designed in a very luxurious
In Joss Whedon's retelling of Much Ado About Nothing, much of the movie is unchanged from that of Shakespeare's original play. Differences include the modern-day setting, the switching of Conrade's gender and expanding Ursula's role only slightly by giving her some of Margaret's scenes. Whedon's film imagery advances an unusual interpretation of the original play, in that Beatrice and Benedick had had a one night stand before the rest of the plot unflods. This emphasizes four lines from Act II, scene I, where Beatrice, responding to the accusation that she has “lost her heart” of Benedick, answers,
“Indeed my lord, he lent it me awhile and I gave him for use it—a double heart for his single one.
Marry, once before he won it of me with false dice; therefore your grace may well say I have lost it.”
Whedon overlays these lines with heavy imagery of Beatrice and Benedick as lovers, clearing the way to seeing the pair as finding their way back to a lost love, rather than finding it for the first time. The scene demonstrates how film techniques can add nuanced interpretation to the text. The movie is filmed in black and white, which helps tie it to the screwball romantic comedies of the 1930s and 1940s, such as His Girl Friday and Bringing Up Baby.
Another difference is that in the play version, a messenger arrives to inform the wedding party that Don Jon has been captured. Yet, in the movie, they learn of the news on a video on a smart phone. These minute differences enunciate the fact that the modern retelling is in a modern setting. The characters dress in modern clothes and the appearance of a photographer also helps to stress the differences. True to the Shakespearean fashion, though, the characters' dialogue remains intact. There is no difference in delivery or line structure than in the play, as compared to the movie.
The setting lends itself to the production, as well. Whedon's home is designed in a very luxurious