1-153-359 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Scene from Much Ado about Nothing, 1870. William Shakespeare's comedy Much Ado About Nothing was first performed c1598. In this scene Dogberry and Verges, local constables of the watch, with the nightwatchmen, confront Conrade and Borachio. Illustration by Henry Courtney Selous (1811-1890) showing the watchmen with their pikes and lantern. There is evidence that the part of Dogberry was written for the Elizabethan comedian William Kemp or Kempe (d1603).