Folger Shakespeare Library: Much Ado About Nothing

The Folger Shakespeare Library, a renowned institution known for its extensive collection of Shakespeare's printed works, presents the authoritative edition of "Much Ado About Nothing." This edition, trusted and widely used by students and general readers, showcases two distinct stories of romantic love. One features the almost love-at-first-sight relationship between Hero and Claudio, which is disrupted by the machinations of an outsider, Don John. The other involves Beatrice and Benedick, kept apart by their pride and mutual antagonism until others intervene to play Cupid.

The Folger Library is widely regarded as the nation's premier resource for Shakespeare scholarship and teaching, offering a user-friendly and comprehensive approach to the bard's works. The authoritative edition of "Much Ado About Nothing" features a side-by-side format, favored by both students and teachers, as well as guides to the play's most famous lines, Shakespearean phrases, and language.

This edition includes several key elements: the exact text of the printed book for easy cross-reference, hundreds of hypertext links for instant navigation, a freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play, full explanatory notes conveniently linked to the text, scene-by-scene plot summaries, a key to the play's famous lines and phrases, an introduction to reading Shakespeare's language, and an essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play. Additionally, the edition features fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books, as well as an annotated guide to further reading.

The essay by Gail Kern Paster, a renowned Shakespeare scholar, offers a contemporary take on the play, shedding light on its complexities and enduring appeal. The Folger Shakespeare Library, located in Washington, DC, is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, attracting scholars from around the globe. Beyond its exhibitions open to the public, the Folger also offers a full calendar of performances and programs, making it a hub for Shakespeare enthusiasts and academics alike.

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