Shakespeare's Comedy of Much Ado About Nothing

London, UK : J.M. Dent and Company, 1896 J.M. Dent and Company, London, UK. 1896. Hardcover. Stated 4th Edition but really is the 4th Printing from the copyright page. One of The Temple Shakespeare Series. Book is tight, square, and unmarked but for a F/O signature on the FFFP dated January 4, 1898. Book Condition: Very Good; shelfwear to head, tail, and tips; curling of tips; slight weakness in the first signature (FFFP and front pastedown). No DJ. Maroon cloth boards and spine with bright gilt lettering on the spine; Temple Shakespeare logo embossed on front board; Non Sans Droict (Not Without Rights) stamp to the front and rear pastedowns. Frontispiece drawing of Holy Trinity Church/Stratford on Avon with tissue guard. Gilt top edging. 134 pp 24mo. The play is set in Messina and revolves around two romantic pairings that emerge when a group of soldiers arrives in the town. The first, between Claudio and Hero, is nearly scuppered by the accusations of the villain, Don John. The second, between Claudio's friend Benedick and Hero's cousin Beatrice, takes centre stage as the play continues, with both characters' wit and banter providing much of the humour. Through "noting" (sounding like "nothing" and meaning gossip, rumour, overhearing),[2][3] Benedick and Beatrice are tricked into confessing their love for each other, and Claudio is tricked into believing that Hero is not a maiden (virgin). The title's play on words references the secrets and trickery that form the backbone of the play's comedy, intrigue, and action. A clean very presentable copy.