Much ado about Nothing

In what ways can a modern audience respond to Shakespearean presentation of the two couples in Much Ado About Nothing? Much ado about nothing is centered on the love and friendships of two pairs of young lovers in Messina. It was probably first performed in late 1598 or early 1599. It is always important when reading Shakespeare to remember that Shakespeare was writing for an Elizabethan audience so therefore we will interpret and respond differently to the …

… it seems so overly superfluous and superficial. It is the language Shakespeare uses, the difference in effect of prose and verse which highlight the differences between the two couples and influence our opinions. Society nowadays is much more matter of fact without the romantic idealism of Elizabethan times. This is why we can relate better to the practical but sincere Beatrice and Benedick as a couple rather then the conventional idealists Claudio and Hero.