Much Ado About Nothing

'O, what men dare do! What men may do! What men daily do, not knowing what they do!' A young soldier accuses his soon-to-be wife of infidelity. His evidence? A known con man swears that two figures glimpsed through a window-at night and from a distance-are the woman and her lover. Much Ado About Nothing may be associated with the "merry war" between Beatrice and Benedick, two equals in sarcasm and freethinking whose friends conspire to bring them together. On stage, at least, the preference for romantic banter over violent misogyny has a long history. Bailey E. Sincox introduction traces Much Ado About Nothing 's entanglements of sexual politics, the law, and unstable norms of civil conduct, showing that the comedy's emphasis on gender, testimony, and belief holds as much interest for modern audiences as it did for those in the late sixteenth century. The New Oxford Shakespeare offers authoritative editions of Shakespeare's works with introductory materials designed to encourage new interpretations of the plays and poems. Using the text from the landmark The New Oxford Shakespeare Complete Works: Modern Critical Edition, these volumes offer readers the latest thinking on the authentic texts (collated from all surviving original versions of Shakespeare's work) alongside innovative introductions from leading scholars. The texts are accompanied by a comprehensive set of critical apparatus to give readers the best resources to help understand and enjoy Shakespeare's work. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.