Explaining the Basics of Shakespeare Ahead of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Coming to Broadway this Fall

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Explaining the Basics of Shakespeare Ahead of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Coming to Broadway this Fall

Last updated June 25th, 2026 by BroadwayBox Staff

Prologue

We've all heard the name Shakespeare before, whether from your 9th-grade English teacher, or during your BFA Drama training. Regardless, the essence is the same. Before seeing Much Ado About Nothing on Broadway this Fall 2026, here are some basics about William Shakespeare and the art of iambic pentameter.

ACT I, SCENE I

Comedy vs. Tragedy vs. History

Every Shakespeare play falls into one of these three categories. Here are the differences between them, along with some examples:

ACT II, SCENE I

Comedies

Every Shakespearean comedy ends with a happy resolution, typically in the form of a marriage. These plays generally have a lighthearted tone and explore themes such as romantic love, mistaken identity, and disguise. A common trope is female characters disguising themselves as men, creating a comedic environment in which the audience knows the truth while the characters remain blissfully oblivious.

Some examples of Shakespearean comedies include:

Much Ado About Nothing
As You Like It
Twelfth Night
The Comedy of Errors
The Winter's Tale

ACT II, SCENE II

Tragedies

This style of play follows a more dramatic narrative. Shakespearean tragedies typically focus on a noble yet flawed protagonist whose catastrophic downfall creates chaos and ultimately concludes in death—or, in some cases, exile. Regardless of the ending, there is always an overwhelming sense of tragic waste.

Common elements include the supernatural (witches, ghosts, or omens), catharsis through suffering, internal and external conflict, the tragic hero (a character of high societal rank whose fate affects an entire nation), and the eventual destruction of both hero and villain.

Some examples of Shakespearean tragedies include:

Romeo & Juliet
Julius Caesar
Macbeth
Othello
Coriolanus

ACT II, SCENE III

Histories

Shakespeare didn't write factual accounts of English monarchies. Instead, he created dramatic adaptations of English rulers' reigns, blending historical events with myths and political propaganda. These works often explore warfare, the psychological realities of power, and England's national identity.

His history plays frequently feature the rise and fall of great leaders, reinforcing the cycle of political and personal transformation.

Some examples of Shakespearean histories include:

Richard II
King John
Henry VI, Part I
Henry VI, Part II
Henry VI, Part III

ACT III, SCENE I

The Iambic Pentameter

(eye-AM-bik pen-TAM-i-ter)

Shakespeare's verse plays often follow a poetic structure known as iambic pentameter—a line of poetry made up of ten syllables that follow an alternating "di-DUM" rhythm, often compared to the beat of a human heart. However, some lines intentionally break this pattern, helping inform the reader or audience how a character is truly feeling.

Shakespeare alternates between verse and prose. Prose resembles modern English and doesn't follow a specific structure, while verse follows a deliberate rhythmic pattern. Iambic pentameter helps the audience identify what is most important within a line of text.

Here is an example from Much Ado About Nothing:

Thus answer I in name of Benedick,
        But hear these ill news with the ears of Claudio.
        'Tis certain so. The prince woos for himself.
        Friendship is constant in all other things
        Save in the office and affairs of love.

ACT IV, SCENE I

Language & Slang

William Shakespeare was born in the 1500s, and his works are written in Early Modern English, which differs significantly from the English we speak today. Here are some common words and phrases you're likely to encounter:

Thou / Thee = "Thou" is the subject (e.g., "Thou art funny"), while "thee" is the object (e.g., "I love thee").
Doth = Does
Ere = Before
Hath = Has
Wherefore = Why
You / Thou = "You" is the formal form of address, while "thou" is informal, similar to Spanish's "tú/usted" or French's "tu/vous."

ACT V, SCENE I

Much Ado About Nothing

The story follows two pairs of lovers: Claudio and Hero, whose fast-approaching wedding is nearly sabotaged by malicious lies, and the sharp-witted Benedick and Beatrice, who are tricked by their friends into falling in love.

ACT V, SCENE IV