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Shakspeare, Much ado about Nothing. Act IV, Scene II

1803, Engraving
Shakspeare, Much ado about Nothing. Act IV, Scene II
Shakspeare, Much ado about Nothing. Act IV, Scene II
Shakspeare, Much ado about Nothing. Act IV, Scene II
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Category
Library Item
Item no
40227
Title
Shakspeare [Shakespeare]. Much ado about Nothing. Act IV, Scene II
Description
DOGBERRY: O villain! thou wilt be condemned into everlasting/ redemption for this.

An almost caricaturist depiction by Smirke. The interrogation of Borachio, who was involved in dishonouring Hero, is a very comic scene, that comes just after the dramatic events of the failed wedding. Borachio is captured by Dogberry, the constable of the night’s watch, and brought before the judge Sexton. The judge sits on a stool on the left in the foreground with quill and paper, readily doing his job. On the left Borachio and Conrade, a follower of his, are tied by the arms. They are depicted as beautiful young men (even though one of their faces is hardly visible, since mostly shown from behind). The watchmen are illustrated as ugly, buffoonish creatures. Especially Dogberry, who sits on a pedestal in a throne-like chair. He looks as a mockery of a king or high lord, to his left in another comfortable chair is his partner, Verges spreads like a lord as well. While officious and moronic, these characters mean well, whereas the attractive lords are in fact the villains of the story.
Engraver
John Ogborne
Date
1803
Size
63.5 x 50 cm
Type
Location
Art and Design Library
Rights and purchasing
Option
Price
Digital FileElectronic file 72 dpi JPEG​
£6.10(inc. VAT 20%)
Digital FileElectronic File 300 dpi TIFF​
£31.00(inc. VAT 20%)
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