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HISTORICAL NOTICE

OF

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

A story in some respects similar to this drama may be found in the fifth book of Orlando Furioso, and likewise in the second book of Spenser's Fairy Queen; but it is most probable that Shakspeare derived the principal incident of this comedy from a version of Belleforest, who copied the Italian novelist Bandello. In the 22d tale of the first part of Bandello, and the 18th history of the third volume of Belleforest, a story is related, the events of which nearly resemble those attendant on the marriage of Claudio and Hero.

As this play was printed in quarto in 1600, and is not mentioned by Meres in his list of Shakspeare's works published about the end of 1598, Mr. Malone conjectures that the year 1600 may be accurately assigned as the time of its production. It is reported to have been formerly known under the name of Benedick and Beatrice.'

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'This play,' says Steevens, may be justly said to contain two of the most sprightly characters that Shakspeare ever drew. The wit, the humorist, the gentleman, and the soldier are combined in Benedick. It is to be lamented, indeed, that the first and most splendid of these distinctions is disgraced by unnecessary profaneness; for the goodness of his heart is

hardly sufficient to atone for the license of his tongue. The too sarcastic levity which flashes out in the conversation of Beatrice may be excused on account of the steadiness and friendship to her cousin, so apparent in her behavior, when she urges her lover to risk his life by a challenge to Claudio. In the conduct of the fable, there is an imperfection similar to that which Dr. Johnson has pointed out in The Merry Wives of Windsor :-the second contrivance is less ingenious than the first;-or, to speak more plainly, the same incident is become stale by repetition. I wish some other method had been found to entrap Beatrice, than that very stratagem which before had been successfully practised on Benedick.'

ARGUMENT.

Leonato, a gentleman of Messina, has an only daughter, named Hero, whose beauty and accomplishments captivate the affections of count Claudio, a favorite of the prince then on a visit to her father, who willingly gives his consent to a union so promising. In the mean time, Don John, a natural brother of the prince, who has long viewed the elevation of Claudio with an eye of jealousy, accuses the lady of inconstancy; and, in confirmation of his assertion, introduces his brother and his friend to her chamber window at midnight: the artifice of an attendant of Don John, named Borachio, who contrives to address the waiting-maid stationed at the window by the name of Hero, appears to leave no room for doubt, and the enraged lover repudiates his affianced bride at the very moment of the nuptials: Hero faints; and, by the advice of the friar, a false report of her death is circulated. During the progress of these events Borachio reveals the success of his machinations to a fellow-servant whom he meets in the street, and their conversation is overheard by the watch, who convey the culprits to Leonato's house, where a full confession is made by the repentant Borachio. Claudio now entreats forgiveness from the insulted father, which is granted on the condition of his union with a cousin of his injured mistress, whose face he is not permitted to behold till the completion of the marriage ceremony, when his happiness is made perfect by finding himself the husband of the innocent Hero. The remainder of this play is occupied with the deception which is practised to betray Benedick and Beatrice, two rival wits and professed marriage-haters, into a mutual passion for each other, which is at length accomplished, and they are both content to renounce their prejudices against marriage.

120

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

DON PEDRO, prince of Arragon.

DON JOHN, his bastard brother.

CLAUDIO, a young lord of Florence, favorite to Don Pedro. BENEDICK, a young lord of Padua, favorite likewise of Don

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MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

ACT I.

SCENE I.

Before Leonato's house.

Enter LEONATO, HERO, BEATRICE, and others, with a

MESSENGER.

Leo. I learn in this letter, that Don Pedro of Arragon comes this night to Messina.

Mes. He is very near by this; he was not three leagues off when I left him.

Leo. How many gentlemen have you lost in this action?

Mes. But few of any sort,1 and none of name.

Leo. A victory is twice itself, when the achiever brings home full numbers. I find here, that Don Pedro hath bestowed much honor on a young Florentine, called Claudio.

Mes. Much deserved on his part, and equally remembered by Don Pedro. He hath borne himself

1 Kind.

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