Much Ado About Nothing presents a picturesque love story between two characters that meet us as individuals full of hate, and leave us as an inseparable pair. These two characters are Benedick and Beatrice and act to us as sweethearts who have fallen deeply and passionately IN love in a way that we would all fantasize over- slowly, and then all at once. Their relationship in Shakespeare’s play has been presented through their matching characteristics, the way they speak and the way the language has been written to show their affection, the events that occur to push them together, other people influencing a bond, the connections between how Shakespeare has presented love in his other plays and finally the different versions of this portrayal through movies and theatre productions. Much Ado About Nothing shows us the difference between Perfect love and perfect love and also depicts the social hierarchy of around the time of the play through characters doing things out of honour and reputation, and not because it is the right thing to do. The title of the play plays a huge role in depicting the ideas of Shakespeare, as nothing is similar to the word ‘noting’ -slang for gossip and therefore it is ideal as the play is entirely ‘A whole lot of fuss about gossip’. This is because the characters are under false knowledge and create aggravation over fabricated rumours.
We can tell from the start of the play that Beatrice and Benedick are perfect for each other, simply by their matching characteristics and a similar level of intellect, which is a perfect basis for marriage. They are both shrewd evident through their skill of twisting other people’s words, loyal shown through Benedick not killing Claudio and Beatrice never doubting Hero,...
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...g every time Don John entered creating a powerful, dramatic ambiance. On the contrary, I prefer reading the play as Shakespeare has written a play that is known for it’s language and it is preferable to read and understand the language in a way where one can stage it themselves instead of watching an unoriginal version. Therefore, the different methods of staging the play are all vital to the representation of love as they create a different surrounding and one seeing the characters live and there interaction verses reading and using our imagination take on a whole new experience of feeling the love.
To conclude, character traits, language, occurrences, Claudio and Hero, the comparison against other Shakespearean plays and the unique variations of the performance are all vital aspects to the representation of Beatrice and Benedick’s love in Much Ado About Nothing.
“And when I lived, I was your other wife, And when you loved, you were my other husband(Shakespeare 60).” In the beginning of the play it was overwhelming, steeped in love at first sight between Hero and Claudio, until Don John’s evil-manner took a role in ruining the love between them. And because of this a conflict developed between them, but was resolved when their vigorous love for one another overcame the conflict. In Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare, Hero serves as the foil character of Claudio because of Hero’s dignified, well-mannered, eminent reputation is illuminated through Claudio’s insecure, accusing, and doubtful weakness; thereby, interminably influencing the conflict in the plot.
Beatrice and Benedick are equal in wit and intelligence could be another reason why they are an ideal couple, because they are so equal in both wit and intelligence means that they will never have a boring conversation between them. Furthermore, to explain my reasoning is that having a not so boring conversation means that their lives would be a lot less dull and boring. Also them being equal in wit and intelligence means that they will always have something to say about one another’s opinions, thus making it impossible to have a boring conversation. An example of this would be when Beatrice says to Benedick in, “As strange as the thing I know not. It were as possible for me to say I love nothing so well as you, but believe me not, and yet I lie not, I confess nothing, nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin” (Act 4, scene 1, lines 283-287). In this quote Beatrice is telling Benedick that she can easily say that there is nothing in this world that she loves more than him. She also says that not to believe her even though she is not lying and then she says that she will confess nothing, and deny nothing. Then Benedick replies to her by saying in, “By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me”(Act 4, scene 1, line 288). This quote means that Benedick is asking Beatrice if she loves him. And it also means that he is very
In Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare depicts different kinds of loving relationships - romantic love, family support and loyal friendship - and shows how various characters react to love and marriage. By exploring the effects of this powerful emotion Shakespeare highlights its universal relevance, a relevance that transcends time.
After Claudio blew up at the wedding and slandered Hero, Benedick stayed to comfort her. Unlike the other men, he knew that Hero didn’t cheat and Don ]ohn was behind this plan. As Bendick states, “And if their wisdoms be misled in this the practice of it lives in Don John the Bastard” (Shakespeare 71). When he believes Hero has nothing to do with this, Beatrice wants it to challenge Claudio. Bendick has changed from a person who never wanted to get married, to a person in love. Driven by this love, he is willing to go against his friends for Beatrice. Ironically both these characters’ attitudes have been
The modernization of nearly outdated and cliché settings typically used for Shakespearian plays such as Much Ado helps enforce Whedon's attempt to make the film and play familiar, as well as creates accessibility for the audience regardless of how well they may understand Shakespeare's language. Both the ensemble and individual cast members assist in achieving Whedon's vision by creating an atmosphere that seems familiar if only that it could be our own family and friends throwing that same banter back and forth between each other. Their playful and occasionally raw performances combine with a spectacular setting to help make Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing a stellar film that is a nearly perfect modern translation of a classic, centuries old
“Language is frequently used to stir up & manipulate emotions.” - Mary Hamer. The words that people say can appear brutal or detrimental. These violent words take up many forms such as lying, insulting, etc. Along with its’ comedic formula, William Shakespeare's, Much Ado About Nothing is enhanced with humorous mockery and intertwined dialogues. In the play, the soldiers have just returned from a successful war. Love is traveling through the village; however the “language of war” appears rooted in the language. Numerous times do the characters joke around in cruel dialects. The mockery, however, is not considered to be as harsh due to the presence of comedy within the play. William Shakespeare’s intricate use of language in his play, Much Ado About Nothing, allows immense aggressive language to thrive in the characters yet is able to use this to alleviate the violence.
...a combination of both and to no avail. A more mature aspect in Beatrice’s personality is that she acknowledges her love for Benedict and tries not to fight them. Katherina does not acknowledge her love or admiration for Petruchio, making her taming more difficult. While Beatrice engages in a battle of the wits with Benedict and results in Benedict’s giving up, Katherina is the one who gives in to Petruchio’s advances and becomes his wife. This dichotomous outcome illustrates and Beatrice’s initial control over Benedict. This control is further illustrated in the plot of the play. Making Benedick challenge and possibly kill his best friend, Beatrice shows her power and control over him. The opposite is true in Katherina’s case.
Shakespeare’s introduction of the other couple in question is in stark contrast to the way in which Beatrice and Benedick were introduced. Claudio and Hero are amorously receptive to one and other from the very start. Upon laying eyes on Hero, Claudio remarks of her to Benedict “is she not a modest young lady?” (1.1.125). Clearly, by having Claudio express his fondness of Hero to Benedick, the playwright directly compares the older and more cynical to the more young and naive, allowing the reader to see the contrasting personas of the two men. This is reinforced by Benedick, who after finishing listening to Claudio’s rhetoric on the charms of the young Hero (“in m...
With its entangled double plots and eloquent use of words, Much Ado About Nothing is a story that has the ability to entertain the masses both young and old. Shakespeare’s use of figurative language along with situation creates such vivid imagery for which carries the drama from beginning to end. For example, when we look at Act 1 Scene 1 of the play ...
In Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing, there are the usual characters that show up in most of Shakespeare’s pieces. For instance the characters Hero and Claudio could easily be compared to Romeo and Juliet. Both Hero and Juliet are innocent, quite, and beautiful young women who fall in love instantly without conversing with the other person. Likewise, Claudio and Romeo decide to marry these women within twenty-four hours. Because of these characters’ lack of unique and interesting qualities, I am intrigued by Beatrice.
Blindness is only a disability to those that are mentally eyeless. Shakespeare being a man of keen mental sight, he has had the ability to portray mental blindness in several of his plays. Being one of the best writers, he is actively able to capture the four elements of a well-made play being peripetiea, denouement, timely entrances and exits and incredibly gripping scene entrances and conclusions. Having written 38 plays with two original plots, Shakespeare expresses his themes through passionate romance, sorrow filled tragedy, inviting history and hilarious comedy. One of his most famous comedies is the play called, Much Ado About Nothing. In this play the comedic aspects greatly emphasize the important theme of self-knowledge. Self-Knowledge is the most imperative form of knowledge that one can acquire being that it is the ability to recognize and accept through forgiveness of ones flaws. Thus the ability to love one’s self, love others and participate in the love of god. The two subplots of Dogberry as well as Benedict and Beatrice coincide with the main plot of Don Pedro and Claudio to convey Shakespeare’s main idea that to see reality for what it truly is, self-knowledge is necessary.
Beatrice's courtship with Benedick greatly contrasts with the courtship of Hero and Claudio. Hero gladly and willingly submitted to marriage, and she accepted the role of the relatively powerless woman. In contrast Beatrice chose her submission after openly criticizing the institution of marriage.
From the very start of the play Beatrice shows her independence but openly admitting to everyone that she does not, by any chance, want to be married, especially to Signior Benedick. Whom it was hinted at throughout the play had a past with Beatrice and the “relationship” ended up with her being hurt and him going off to battle. She makes it clear in their battle of wits after he says “….But it is certain I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted; and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart, for truly I love no one.” (A1; S1; L122-125). After hearing Benedick say that she then replies with “A dear happiness to women. They would else have been troubled with a precious suitor. I thank God and my cold blood I am of your humor for that. I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.” (A1; S1; L126-130). This was basically her way of telling Benedick that she does not want someone to swear the love her when in reality the love is not actually there. She would rather not deal with the nonsense of someone who is not true to their word. Even at another moment in the play, Leonato says to h...
"Much Ado About Nothing" is a play intertwining two love stories. One story follows the romance of a young woman Hero (daughter of Leonato, governor of Messina) and a young officer Claudio. When Claudio returns from war, he realizes he's deeply in love with Hero. With the help of his commander, Don Pedro, Claudio proposes to her. The other is a less likely couple, Beatrice (Hero's cousin) and Bene*censored* (another officer). Both being witty, strong-willed and outspoken, the two seem to bare distaste for each other. However, when their friends arrange for them to overhear conversations revealing how much each is loved by the other, it doesn't take long before they declare their love for one another. Meanwhile, self...
...he other hand, Beatrice and Benedick are comedy-makers and Beatrice is not ruled by her father as Hero clearly is. It does take Don Pedro’s benevolent plot to bring Benedick and Beatrice together, however. A modern audience would prefer Beatrice to Hero as she is her own self and admirable. The relationships also differ because Benedick and Beatrice’s relationship slowly grew whereas Claudio and Hero’s relationship was love at first sight. Perhaps it was a little hasty as we see in Act 4 how their love turns sour.