Much Adoe about Nothing

The book delves into the historical context of the 1623 First Folio, highlighting its preparation by Shakespeare's contemporaries, John Hemings and Henry Condell. It emphasizes Shakespeare's focus on performance, rooted in a rhetorical tradition that influenced his writing. The author, Freeman, analyzes the printing process and the differences between the First Folio, subsequent editions, and modern interpretations. He critiques editorial changes over the years that have impacted the perception of Shakespeare's works, including adjustments in verse and character formatting.