Discuss The Importance Of Noting In Much Ado About Nothing



Noting, or observing, is central to many of the ideas in Much Ado About Nothing. The word nothing was pronounced as noting in Elizabethan times, and it seems reasonable to presume that the pun was intended by Shakespeare to signal the importance of observation, spying and eavesdropping in the play. As a plot device, these occurrences propel the action and create humour and tension. The perils of noting incorrectly are portrayed and this leads naturally to the investigation of another major theme, the discrepancy between appearance and reality. Shakespeare uses the problems of illusion, deception and subjectivity of perception to examine the Elizabethan patriarchy, and he shows how adhering to convention can distort the views of society's leaders.



Plot development and comedy in Much Ado rely heavily on the use of noting. The play appears to have a simple plot; the romantic couple,......

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Title: Much Ado About Nothing - The Importance Of Noting
Approximate Word Count: 1136
Approximate Pages: 5 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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