Courtship in Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare

Courtship in Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare

The themes of love, marriage and courtship are an important part of

'Much Ado about nothing'; they are presented in a way that reflects

the attitudes of the society at that time. I will explore the

different attitudes of modern audiences and Shakespeare's audience

towards these themes in the play.

The two examples of relationships I have chosen are Beatrice and

Benedick's and Hero and Claudio's. This is because I think they are in

contrast with each other, at the beginning of the play it appears that

Hero and Claudio will be the perfect couple formed in a conventional

way, Claudio goes through the right channels and their marriage is

arranged. Later we learn that even though Beatrice and Benedick seem

to deeply dislike each other and think they would be a rather an

unexpected couple we realise later their love is more sincere and

genuine.

The couples communicate on different levels; this reflects how

comfortable they are in each other presence. Hero and Claudio's

marriage was by proxy; Don Pedro was to woo Hero in Claudio's name.

Hero's father is then immediately asked for Hero's hand in marriage.

This highlights the fact that there is little if no communication

between the couple before they decide to marry. Both Hero and Claudio

are apprehensive, Hero a virtuous female who would not approach

Claudio and he is anxious in wooing for himself.

To a modern audience Claudio's love for Hero may seem immature and

spontaneous, 'my liking may too sudden seem' as even Claudio admits.

His love for Hero seems to be based purely on looks, 'in mine eye she

is the sweetest lad...

... middle of paper ...

...each other, 'here's our own hands against our hearts'. Through

their hands they have proclaimed their love by the action of writing a

poem, this is proof that they mean what they say. Beatrice and

Benedick are echoing each other's sentiments 'they swore that you were

almost sick for me', ' they swore you were wellnigh dead for me.' This

reflect the harmony that they now share, she is no longer the

'infernal Ate in good apparel.'

When Benedick stops her mouth with kiss some critics may argue that

now she has submitted her will and will no longer talk out of turn in

my opinion it symbolises the end of their 'merry war' and the start of

their marriage because of the harmony that has been revealed in their

last sentiments.

Bibliography

Cambridge school Shakespeare Much Ado About Nothing first published

1992