The Transformation of Benedict in Much Ado About Nothing
In "Much Ado About Nothing" Shakespeare manages to transform Benedict
from a bachelor to being in love with Beatrice. Shakespeare does
extremely well to make this change of character seem believable as it
such a big one. Shakespeare does this by using key scenes to gradually
reveal the true relationship between the two. This transformation is
especially interesting as at the beginning of the play he argues with
Beatrice and declares he will always be a bachelor.
In Act I Scene I when the visitors arrive in Messina, Benedict appears
to be an arrogant, patronising womaniser. In this scene Benedict has a
merry war with Beatrice and from lines like "In our last conflict four
of his five wits went halting off" and "You always end with a jade's
trick, I know you of old" from Beatrice it seems like the two have
previously met and there is some history between them. In this war of
words we see the arrogance of Benedict when he says to Beatrice "I am
Lord of all ladies, only you excepted". From this opening scene we can
see Benedict's character and it is obvious he is not scared to speak
his mind or give an honest opinion, no matter how harsh it may be. An
example of this is when Claudio asks Benedict if he finds Hero
attractive and Benedict replies ?I can see yet without spectacles, and
I see no such matter?. We also see from this merry war that Benedict
enjoys entertaining his friend and one possibility could be that he
doesn?t change as the play goes on, maybe he loved Beatrice the whole
time and he had been hiding it behind his humour.
When Benedict poses as so...
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In Act V Scene IV, Benedict?s transformation is complete. He says that
to Leonarto ?Your niece regards me with an eye of favour. And I do
with an eye requite her?. Benedict does seem to return to his true
self, however his love cannot be hidden when Claudio and Don Pedro
arrive. Even when Benedict proposes to Beatrice he says he takes her
in ?pity?, this shows that even though he is no longer a bachelor, he
is still as patronising as he was at the beginning of the play and he
has not lost any of his wit. Beatrice continues this merry war by
saying ?I yield upon great persuasion?#?. In Benedict?s final
soliloquy he talks about marriage. ?I will think nothing to anyone
that the world can say against it?. This shows that Benedick has
finally accepted marriage and his love for Beatrice. He is no longer a
bachelor.
Benedick and Beatrice both benefit from the deceit that they encounter. At first, both are enemies in a battle of insults and wit, until they are each fooled into thinking that the other loves them. When Benedick hears that Beatrice is supposedly attracted to him, he thinks that it is “a gull, but that the white-bearded fellow speaks it: knavery cannot, sure, hide itself in such reverence” (111). Little does he know, Leonato, the "white-bearded fellow," is also in on the joke (111). Benedick starts to admire her when he is aware that Beatrice might actually be attracted to himself, as well. She is also astonished when she first hears that he loves her. However, when Beatrice comes to terms with their affection, she hopes "Benedick [will] love on... And [she] Believe it better than reportingly" (134). In other words, she falls in love with Benedick as soon as she believes that he, too, is fond of her. They each start to fall in love with one another under the pretense that other was hiding their affection from them. Now that they are both in love, they start to open up to each other and prove that the deception they endured was worth it in the end.
Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare's tragic plays. It is about two star crossed lovers who commit suicide when their feuding families prevent them from being together. The play has many characters, each with his/her own role in keeping the plot line. Some characters do not have a great amount of lines, but have the plot revolving around them. Such a character is Friar Laurence. At first glance, one may overlook this character and dismiss him as only a minor player in the story of Romeo and Juliet. Upon closer examination, it becomes obvious that the Friar plays a crucial role in the development of the play. Throughout the play he attempts to guide young Romeo and Juliet through their struggles, and unwittingly causes their deaths.
In Joseph McElhaney's essay, “Vincente Minnelli: Images of Magic and Transformation,” he argues that character transformation is central to Minnelli’s films and that this transformation takes place in two ways: through the process of education in a world dominated by teachers of various types; and through a process of enchantment and seduction at the hands of artists. In Emmanuel Burdeau’s essay, “Minnelli’s Message,” he argues that throughout Minnelli a “dance of hesitation” occurs in which characters change their minds about something. Vincente Minnelli’s 1958 film, Some Came Running, addresses both of these arguments in the sequence when the main character, Dave Hirsh, deals with the hesitation of a woman he wishes to marry.
Leonato plays an important role in Shakespeare's play Much Ado About Nothing. Leonato is at the center of events from beginning to end, being as he is one of the main characters Hero’s father, and Beatrice’s uncle. A great majority of the action in the play takes place at Leonato’s home. Leonato is a friendly but stern man. His daughter Hero is to soon be married, so as a father, he is helping set up the wedding. Leonato is a respected man by all in the story. Leonato has no problem getting along with his daughter’s future husband, Claudio, until the wedding. When Leonato’s daughter is accused of adultery at her wedding, it is clear that the honor of his family is very important to him. Leonato is ashamed and tells his own daughter that she
When Jesus walked the earth his twelve disciples put aside all of their worldly possessions and worldly pursuits to fully and faithfully follow him. After the fall of Rome, Europe slipped into what has been referred to as the “dark ages.” However, even in these dark ages men and women put aside their secular desires and devoted themselves to a life of celibacy and simplicity. This similar desire between many people drew them together and this pursuit became know as monasticism. No one had a bigger influence on this way of life and on these people who chose this calling than Saint Benedict of Nursia. His teachings and life would have an impact on monasticism all throughout Europe helping to form its spirituality and culture.
The next time we meet Don John in the play in is Act I scene III. We
Shakespeare makes sure that Beatrice comes off as a woman who is not afraid to speak her mind to anyone. This is portrayed in the beginning of act one, when the mail messenger comes to announce that the soldiers are on their way to Messina. They start a conversation about Benedick and he tells Beatrice that Benedick is a "lord to a lord, a ...
Merriam Websterś Collegiate Dictionary defines a hero as ¨A man admired for his achievements and noble qualities.¨ In the play Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare, there is not a clearly defined hero, but that does not mean there isn't one. Although there could be many, Don Pedro is the most deserving of being labeled the hero because of his creation of love between people and his loyalty.
adds to the comedy of the rest of play. It is obvious to the audience
This era focused on the new idea that were grown. Having the people to think for themselves was important for the society. I think that this allows all of us to grow in faith. We are not perfect and we will never know what is the correct way to look at Faith and the Bible. But, this reform created a great example in change.
He is not being professional as he was in the pitch as he has to be himself now. No fillers are used in the pitch, which suggests that he is being professional and intelligent hoping that would influence the Dragons.’
Much Ado about Nothing, though interspersed with dark moments, is a comedy that ends with the expectation of multiple marriages. Shakespeare 's comedies usually explore the themes of love and marriage. The common characteristics of his plays include rural settings, mistaken identity and disguises, complex plots, disputes within characters, separation and reunification. Tension is usually built up around the various trials and tribulations the protagonists must overcome. In Othello, Iago wants to destroy the relationship between Othello and Cassio by accusing Desdemona of infidelity; unlike Don John, he is successful. In Romeo and Juliet, Lord Capulet 's tirade and outrage at Juliet can be compared with Leonato 's soliloquy where he wishes Hero
This is part of her “merry war” with Benedick. Beatrice appears to loathe Benedick and vice versa; they engage in many “skirmishes of wit.” However, although Beatrice appears hardened and sharp, she is vu...
In Antonioni’s La Notte Moreau uses this mastery, which previously brought a new love life, to end a dying one. The film’s final sequence again finds Moreau, this time as Lidia, walking away from a love interest— Giovanni. Like Jeanne, Lidia refuses to look back at the man that trails behind her, but Lidia’s gaze is level, and focused on what’s ahead. She turns only momentarily to respond to Giovanni, matter-of-factly, and as she walks off screen she seems content to leave Giovanni behind. When the two stop, Lydia turns, hesitates, and somewhat reluctantly tells him about Tommaso’s death. She cock’s her head gently at his response, doubting his concern, and then begins to reminisce about Tomasso.
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...