Branagh's interpretation of Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare's wonderful play, Much Ado About Nothing, is a humorous tale of the trials and tribulations of two pairs of lovers , who must face and overcome both evil plans plotted against them and also against their own flaws and shortcomings before finding happiness together. While clearly a comedy, the play is not without its darker moments. Don John plots to ruin Claudio's wedding; he almost succeeds because Claudio, and most of the other men in the play, are too quick to judge Hero (and women in general) as innately deceitful. Of course, true love prevails in the end, as the plot is exposed and foiled and Hero and Claudio are happily married. Joining them at the altar are Beatrice and Benedick, the sharp-tongued couple who, thanks to a little friendly intervention, have discovered the mutual admiration previously hidden beneath their sarcasm. It is possible for the director of a film based on the play to interpret the text in many ways. One option, for example, would be to emphasize the similarities between the deception perpetrated by Don John and that of the friendlier conspirators, and thus paint a darker picture of the intentions and actions of those attempting to unite Beatrice and Benedick. Another treatment might instead choose to focus on the differences between the two deceptions. The theme of Benedick and Beatrice's love for each other can also be handled differently. Perhaps a director could portray this love as created by the acting of the conspirators, could portray Beatrice and Benedick as two proud individuals tricked into loving each other. Alternatively, another director could have shot the same scenes to show Benedick and Beatrice's love... middle of paper... If they had been tricked into loving each other, our reaction might not have been so positive. Likewise, we laugh together with the conspirators, certain that we are laughing at an innocent joke and not at a malicious deception. Branagh's focus on the lighter side of the play brings out its comedic side without taking us away from the characters. On the contrary, this emphasis on joy and laughter brings us closer to the characters and allows us to rejoice with them. Sources cited and consulted Dawson, AB 'Much Ado About Signifying', Studies in English Literature 22, 211-21. 1982.Humphreys, A. R. 1981; "Introduction" to Much Ado About Nothing. London and New York: Routledge. repr. 1994. Much Ado About Nothing. Director Kenneth Branagh. Perf. Emma Thompson, Kenneth Branagh, Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton and Keanu Reeves. Goldwyn, 1993