Posted by erfly on January 09, 19101 at 09:57:58:
In Reply to: Elizabethen times posted by Alessandra siciliani on January 09, 19101 at 08:55:53:
: Was Nothing pronounced Noting?
: Did Noting mean Eavsdroping?
Shakespeare brilliantly plays on the meanings of nothing throughout this play. The word "nothing" would actually have been pronounced "noting" in his time. It can mean worthless, a person of little worth, or also mean everything, in the sense that much ado is made about everything. Alternatively "nothing" is a word that means female genitalia, Hero's "nothing", an interpretation of the word that is evidenced by how ashamed Hero is of ual desire.
The pronunciation of "nothing" plays on "noting" as well. To note is to observe or mark carefully, something everyone in the play fails to do. It can also mean to stigmatize or point out, exactly what Claudio does to Hero in the church. Indeed, Claudio's first comment about Hero is whether anyone else noted her, "didst thou note the daughter of Signor Leonato?" (1.1.130-131). Bene tells him, "I noted her not, but I looked on her" (1.1.132), at which point he proceeds to stigmatize her. Bene jokes about her complexion and height, thereby "noting" Hero in his own way.
I hope this helps u Mr siciliani
i too am in need of dire help
******discuss shakespeares presentation of love in much ado...........*********
help will be greatly appreciated.
thanx