A Play Reading!

William Shakespeare is thought to have written one of his most beloved and approachable comedies, Much Ado About Nothing, in 1598 or 1599. Although published in the First Folio in 1623, scholars believe it was first performed in 1600.

The play is set in Messina. Once known as the "Doorway of Sicily," Messina was an important port city on the island of Sicily, a kingdom independent of Italy at the time. Spain controlled it. Cervantes, of Don Quixote fame, fought from Messina in the Battle of Lepanto against the Ottoman Empire not thirty years earlier, earning a permanently maimed right hand, and was laid up in the hospital in Messina for some time.

In world news at the time, the Dutch East India Company was formed, playing a significant role in global trade and exploration. This year in history also included the first sighting of the Falkland Islands. The worst volcanic eruption on record took place in Peru. The Italian philosopher, scientist, and poet Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake for heresy in Rome. The Nine Years' War was renewed in Ireland. Scotland adopted January 1st as New Year's Day. Meanwhile, Florence experienced the premiere of Euridice, the earliest known, fully-surviving work of modern opera, at the wedding of Henry IV of France and Marie de' Medici. Around this time, the British and French began establishing settlements in North America, with the first permanent English settlement set up at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607.

Against this backdrop, Shakespeare brings us love and laughter when a group of soldiers arrives in town (very apropos of the times), ultimately resulting in the romantic misadventures of not one but two pairs of lovers. The first couple is Claudio and Hero, who are beset by Don John's villainous accusations. Meanwhile, Claudio's friend, Benedick, takes a shine to Hero's cousin, Beatrice. Their witty banter and the artful use of gossip (called "noting" at the time) propel the story forward, making for a hilarious romp, turning nothing much into something very special for the audience. By the way, "noting" is also how "nothing" would have been pronounced, giving us a classic Shakespearean double entendre in the play's title. Perhaps you begin to see what a treat you're in for in Much Ado About Nothing.