Much Ado About Nothing

This facsimile edition of Much Ado About Nothing is taken from the large and handsome book known simply as the ‘First Folio’. This is the earliest collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays and was was printed in 1623, just seven years after his death.


For students of Much Ado About Nothing, going back to these First Folio plays is an essential part of a more complete understanding of Shakespeare's work.


Eighteen of Shakespeare’s plays had already been published in the small, cheap format known as quartos during his lifetime, including such favourites as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet. The First Folio added another eighteen, including Macbeth, The Tempest and Twelfth Night all of which are indispensable to the modern repertory. Without the First Folio only half of Shakespeare’s dramatic output would have survived.


Much Ado About Nothing is one of Shakespeare's best-loved comedies, and tells the tale of two pairs of lovers. Stories of confused pairs of lovers were popular in Shakespeare's time and he doubtless drew on many sources. The play was written sometime in 1598 or 1599.


This is an enhanced eBookTreasures facsimile edition which includes a speech from the play performed with 17th century pronunciation, allowing you to hear the play as Shakespeare would.