Much Ado About Nothing

He swore he would never marry. She swore she would never marry him. They were both wrong.

Shakespeare's most beloved comedy is a sparkling battle of wits between two people who are clearly meant for each other—and the darker story of a young couple torn apart by a villain's lies.

The play unfolds in the Sicilian town of Messina, where the governor's daughter, Hero, is betrothed to the young lord Claudio. But Don John, the bastard brother of the prince, is a sullen schemer who delights in wrecking happiness. He frames Hero for infidelity on the eve of her wedding, causing Claudio to publicly shame her at the altar. She falls as if dead. The family, believing her innocent, hides her away to await the truth. Meanwhile, the sharp-tongued Beatrice and the confirmed bachelor Benedick spar endlessly, each insisting they will never fall in love—while their friends conspire to trick them into admitting what everyone else already sees.

This is Shakespeare at his most joyful and bittersweet: a play about the foolishness of pride, the cruelty of slander, and the stubborn courage required to forgive. The bickering of Beatrice and Benedick—"I would rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me"—is some of the wittiest dialogue in English literature. And the scene at the altar, where Claudio denounces his innocent bride, is one of Shakespeare's most shocking reversals.

• Written around 1598–1599, one of Shakespeare's most frequently performed comedies

• Features the famous "merry war" between Beatrice and Benedick, two of Shakespeare's sharpest-witted characters

• A play that balances laugh-out-loud comedy with a disturbing plot about public shaming and the fragility of female honor

Available in multiple formats:

• Paperback & Hardcover: Beautifully designed print editions presenting the complete, unabridged text made to last.

• Ebook: DRM-free EPUB compatible with Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, and all major e-readers.

• Audiobook: Professionally narrated, complete and unabridged, available on all major audiobook platforms.

A beautifully crafted edition for your shelf, your device, or your ears, or the perfect gift for anyone who knows that the best love stories often begin with "I hate you."

About the Author

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, he moved to London and became a shareholder in the Lord Chamberlain's Men (later the King's Men). Much Ado About Nothing was written around 1598–1599, during the same period as As You Like It and Twelfth Night. The play's source material includes Italian novellas by Matteo Bandello and Ludovico Ariosto. The role of Beatrice is considered one of Shakespeare's great female characters—witty, independent, and fiercely loyal. The role of Benedick has been played by some of the greatest actors in history, including Kenneth Branagh, who also directed a celebrated 1993 film adaptation. Shakespeare died in 1616 at the age of 52 and is buried in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon.