Different Relationships in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream

431 Words1 Page

Different Relationships in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream There are many relationships in the play but the most important are

the lovers. We have Hero and Claudio, who show the innocence of love,

and Beatrice and Benedick, who show a more cynical version. There are

also the friendships, between Hero and Beatrice, and Don Pedro,

Claudio and Benedick. It is also important to remember that Don John

is the bastard brother of Don Pedro – this is a major factor in the

events of the play, for Don John’s status makes him envious and evil.

From the beginning of the play, Shakespeare focused the attention of

his audience on Beatrice and Bendick. The first battle of words

between them hinted at an earlier love affair, and also included an

intriguing hint of mystery. ‘You always end with a jade’s trick: I

know you of old’, says Beatrice.

Shakespeare also uses the two older lovers, Beatrice and Benedick as a

contrast to the younger couple, to show different aspects of love.

Hero and Claudio represent a girl and boy who have fallen deeply in

love for the first time; Benedick and Beatrice are more worldly, and

Open Document