“The Utter Reality of Characterization”; Presentational and Representational Work in Kenneth Branagh’s Much Ado About Nothing
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| Language: | English |
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University of Toledo Honors Theses / OhioLINK
2010
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| Online Access: | http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=uthonors1294188870 |
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-uthonors12941888702021-08-03T06:16:30Z “The Utter Reality of Characterization”; Presentational and Representational Work in Kenneth Branagh’s Much Ado About Nothing Engel, Grace Eve Cheaney British and Irish Literature Cinematography Film Studies Gender Gender Studies Literature Theater Shakespeare Kenneth Branagh Presentational theater Representational theater Film analysis In this paper, I discuss the success which Kenneth Branagh achieved by his approach to updating the play Much Ado About Nothing onto film in 1993. Modern audiences are often uncomfortable with the Shakespearean portrayal of male and female relations and their inequalities. Thus, some directors, in an attempt to avoid completely changing Shakespeare’s text or narrative, use the old-fashioned dynamic between men and women on purpose. Branagh’s reading of the play urged him to highlight these gender dynamics by specific characterization. He purposefully uses a contrast of presentational and representational acting in his two major couples (Claudio and Hero, Benedick and Beatrice) to guide the audience from feeling uncomfortable, towards viewing the inherent violence in the play as comedy. Benedick and Beatrice represent relatable characters as they stubbornly pretend hatred and then later, let their insecurities down and realize their love for one another. In contrast, Claudio constantly acts foolishly, doubting everything and becoming ruled by his temper (which results in serious violence), and Hero is insanely quiet, without an opinion, and apparently, unable to defend herself in the face of public repudiation. As viewers come to understand these aspects of characterization, they view the entire Hero-Claudio dynamic as theatrical and comedic, and rely on Beatrice and Benedick for the true representation of love. 2010 English text University of Toledo Honors Theses / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=uthonors1294188870 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=uthonors1294188870 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
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NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
British and Irish Literature Cinematography Film Studies Gender Gender Studies Literature Theater Shakespeare Kenneth Branagh Presentational theater Representational theater Film analysis |
| spellingShingle |
British and Irish Literature Cinematography Film Studies Gender Gender Studies Literature Theater Shakespeare Kenneth Branagh Presentational theater Representational theater Film analysis Engel, Grace Eve Cheaney “The Utter Reality of Characterization”; Presentational and Representational Work in Kenneth Branagh’s Much Ado About Nothing |
| author |
Engel, Grace Eve Cheaney |
| author_facet |
Engel, Grace Eve Cheaney |
| author_sort |
Engel, Grace Eve Cheaney |
| title |
“The Utter Reality of Characterization”; Presentational and Representational Work in Kenneth Branagh’s Much Ado About Nothing |
| title_short |
“The Utter Reality of Characterization”; Presentational and Representational Work in Kenneth Branagh’s Much Ado About Nothing |
| title_full |
“The Utter Reality of Characterization”; Presentational and Representational Work in Kenneth Branagh’s Much Ado About Nothing |
| title_fullStr |
“The Utter Reality of Characterization”; Presentational and Representational Work in Kenneth Branagh’s Much Ado About Nothing |
| title_full_unstemmed |
“The Utter Reality of Characterization”; Presentational and Representational Work in Kenneth Branagh’s Much Ado About Nothing |
| title_sort |
“the utter reality of characterization”; presentational and representational work in kenneth branagh’s much ado about nothing |
| publisher |
University of Toledo Honors Theses / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2010 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=uthonors1294188870 |
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AT engelgraceevecheaney theutterrealityofcharacterizationpresentationalandrepresentationalworkinkennethbranaghsmuchadoaboutnothing |
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