Compare And Contrast Beatrice And Benedick

Brett Colvin
Research Paper
Eng 104
Much Ado About Nothing

In Shakespeare's comedy “Much Ado About Nothing”. There are two major characters that intertwine and interact with each other throughout the play. In this essay I will analyze these two characters by their similarities and differences and by showing who they are individually and together and how their differing personalities come together to grow and find a love. And it's these same personalities that they find themselves out of love, only after falling into it. Then again back into each other's arms! Clearly these characters have a connection between them, but their are also differences that set them apart and differences that Shakespeare will point out through the use of his

Even though both characters proclaim that they must amend their ways and give up their pride, Beatrice's short response is full of emotion, even exclamation points, such as "Contempt, farewell!" (III.i.111). In contrast, Benedick's much longer speech shows us that he must spend more time reasoning his way into his new situation. Beatrice becomes convinced that she should requite Benedick's love simply by hearing Hero and Ursula praise Benedick, showing us that, despite her protests, Beatrice already thought highly of Benedick. Beatrice's quick acceptance of Benedick in her short little speech show us that she is very emotionally responsive. We especially see Beatrice's emotional responsiveness when she proclaims that she should love Benedick because others think he deserves it, as we see in the lines, "For others say thou dost deserve, and I / Believe it better than reportingly" (III.i.117-118).In contrast, Benedick takes a much longer time to reason through Beatrice's attributes. He must examine every merit both Claudio and Don Pedro said Beatrice has, as we see in his