Much Ado About Nothing Word Play Analysis

Wordplay exploits the ambiguities of words to produce humorous effects. Many subcategories of wordplay, such as puns, anagrams and homophones, prove to be crucial elements of comedic literature. Through careful dissection of the exchanges, wordplay can be found in many places and in many different forms. It is clearly evident in Much Ado About Nothing that William Shakespeare utilizes wordplay through the witty insults between characters.

Throughout the majority of the play, Beatrice and Benedick are relentlessly undermining one another using their witty personas. During the opening scene, a messenger announces the soldiers are coming home from war. Beatrice asks the messenger if “Signior Mountanto”, Benedick, has returned with the rest of

Innocently attempting to counter the insults, the messenger says Benedick “is a good soldier too, lady” (1.1.52). Beatrice, without hesitation, quickly remarks that Benedick “is a good soldier to a lady” and then asks “what is he to a lord?” (1.1.53-54). Benedick performs well while conversing with the ladies, according to Beatrice, but his ability to perform well in battle is questionable. Beatrice applies the literary device homophones, which is when words have the same pronunciation but are spelled differently, to humiliate Benedick. Beatrice is also suggesting that there was a relationship between the two that did not end well, explaining her current hatred of Benedick. Beatrice makes certain that everyone is knowledgeable about her disgust of Benedick through using wordplay.

Vigilant dissection of the banter in Much Ado About Nothing, reveals that wordplay in the form of puns, anagrams, and homophones, truly are essential features of comedic literature. Shakespeare’s writing style parallels and complements the plays’ intricate plot. He deploys the tool of clever, while tricky, wordplay to shine light on the comedic aspect of his