In Elizabethan English, 'nothing' was pronounced in the same way as 'noting' - meaning to gossip, watch, and overhear. Nicholas Hytner (Director) and Simon Russell Beale (Benedick) discuss how this was conveyed in the 2007 production.

Noting in Much Ado About Nothing

In Much Ado About Nothing Benedick and Beatrice are engaged in a very "merry war"; they are both proclaim their scorn for love, marriage, and each other. In contrast, Claudio and Hero are idealistic young people fall who fall in love at first sight. By means of "noting" (which sounds the same as "nothing," and which is gossip, rumour, and overhearing) these characters go through a series of misunderstandings, mishaps and heartbreak. This collection is from the NT Archive, filmed as part of the 2007 production at the National Theatre directed by Nicholas Hytner. Included in this collection are interviews with Nicholas Hytner, Simon Russell Beale and Zoë Wanamaker, as well as a workpack featuring teacher's notes.

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Noting in Much Ado About Nothing

Noting in Much Ado About Nothing

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