The Relationship between Beatrice and Benedick in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing

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In this Shakespearean comedy ‘Much Ado about Nothing’ two similarly obstinate characters of Beatrice and Benedick are presented between the rather normal relationship of characters Hero and Claudio. Shakespeare presents Beatrice and Benedick’s obstinacy towards the rather obligatory act of marriage and also their particularly similar personalities that cause reason for their familiar act of squabbling; he does this whilst also presenting two characters that are completely interested in marriage and who are hardly intellectually capable of squabbling in a similar manner. As the play unfolds both characters remain combative with one another but as love becomes the better of them, they begin to reveal that somewhat secretive sensitivity amongst the complications of their hearts. In this essay we are going to explore the fundamental scenes that contribute to this, as well as overall changes in the characters and the techniques used to imply given ideas.
The opening of the play thoroughly explores the stubbornness of both Beatrice and Benedick and further presents the thoughts and wisdom of each of them in a way that seems almost unchangeable. As both characters first interact we see an explicit sign of a previous possible relationship. ‘You always end with a jade’s trick. I know you of old’ Beatrice implies that they know each other well enough from the past and that she thought he had changed. ‘A jade’s trick’ meaning a stubborn horse refusing to go on also illustrates Benedick’s character. Knowing each other previously provides a pragmatic basis for a serious future relationship as both are able to work from what they know about each other already rather than nothing at all. This introduction to the play is the first idea that pers...

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... He presents these two characters that seem to have an inability to woo and develops their relationship through a joke, but also a potential past. Their great battles of wits and advanced intellectuality makes their relationship more unstable yet unique. The significance of putting this relationship amongst the simple one of Hero and Claudio causes their relationship to stand out as it emphasises the fact that Hero and Claudio can easily show it whereas Beatrice and Benedick contain it inside themselves. The techniques used in the film versions as well as in the live play at the Old Vic accentuate many of the key moments. Overall, with all points in concert, I believe that the relationship between Beatrice and Benedick holds a lot more intensity than that of Hero and Claudio whose love hasn’t developed but rather is just the simple occurrence of love at first sight.

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