William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing

William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing

Benedick certainly seems to be genuine, as all of his speeches seem to

be sincere and none pre-meditated. Benedick is the character everyone

likes. He seems also to be more passionate than most of the other

characters. Benedick is prepared to be humiliated by his friends in

order to marry the one which he loves. He is a proud man and does not

want to be outdone by a woman, but he will do anything for Beatrice. I

think that when the two had verbal insult matches they were just

trying to vie for each others attention.

Beatrice is a "tomboy" and nearly an anti-male character in the early

parts of the play, and seems very confident and loves to better

people, especially Benedick.

From the beginning of the play you can tell that these two are very

powerful characters in their own ways.

In the first section you get an intense feeling of hatred as Beatrice

and Benedick throw insults back and forth at each other, which surely

must symbolize that they don't like each other. You go through the

play gradually thinking if they actually hate or like each other. The

twist in the play is a surprise but it has been brought on gently as

well, not just suddenly placed in front of you.

Each of the two know deep down that they do love each other and only

when their friends plot against them do they end up declaring their

love for each other. Benedick has protested in the past about loving

Beatrice and we get this idea from this passage and numerous other

passages throughout the play.

Beatrice and Benedick did not jump into their relationship as they

already knew each other for a long time before. Their love is based on

the exploration of each others character, partly by the acts verbal

duels. Although originally they are both too proud to acknowledge each

others love for one another. This shows development in their

characters.

Shakespeare presents Beatrice and Benedick very much as equals in