How Does Shakespeare Present Beatrice In Much Ado About Nothing

“Comedy and tragedy are two sides of the same coin. A talent in one area might also lead to a predisposition in the other” (Dee, Jack.) Much Ado About Nothing, by William Shakespeare, is a tragicomic play, that follows the lustful blindness of love. The story follows the experiences of the main character Beatrice, and her relationship with Benedick. Beatrice represents the comedic aspects of a tragedy, as well as the comedic aspects of love. In Act II, Scene I, Shakespeare uses specific language, in his dialogue, to highlight the complex relationship between Benedick and Beatrice, and to display the contrast between Beatrice as a character, and the expectations society has for her as a woman.

Throughout the play, Shakespeare uses various techniques

to create humorous dialogue. One of the most prominent aspects used is the subtle use of sexual innuendo. The second act of the tragicomedy opens with a conversation in which Antonio and Leonato comment, rather rudely, about Beatrice's love life, and the lack of a man in it. After being referred to as “too curst,” by Antonio, Beatrice returns, by saying that being “Too curst is more than curst: I shall lessen God’s sending that way; for it is said, ‘God sends a curst cow short horns;’ but to a cow too curst he sends none”(II,i.) Beatrice says that being “too curst” is different from being “curst,” therefore, she turns an old a proverb in her favor, saying that those who are ill-tempered get inadequate men so that the aforementioned women can’t do much harm. But for Beatrice, she is too ill-tempered, she says that she is given no man so that she can do no harm to them, or herself. Beatrice’s reaction displays how she acted in a manner that would have been deemed inappropriate for a woman during the time. This leads her to have to defend her actions, through the means of wit. Further in the scene, Beatrice pivots the conversation to the characteristics of a man that she would find attractive. Beatrice then states that she wouldn't want a man with a beard. Leanato offers a man without a beard. In response, Beatrice asks him “What should I do with [a beardless man]? dress him in my apparel and make him my waiting-gentlewoman? He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man: and he that is more than a youth is not for me, and he that is less than a man, I am not for him…”(II,i.) Beatrice refers to a young man who is on the cusp of manhood. In this time, this type of man was the most coveted object of sexual desire. In referencing dressing this man up as a woman, she alludes to the young, male, actors who were dressed as women in the play, including the actor who would have played Beatrice. She says that she is too much of a woman, another coveted sexual object, to love anyone, besides her perfect male counterpart. The strength and wit of her statement are, however, a traditionally male mannerism.

Throughout the scene, Shakespeare also uses the character’s extravagant and comedic comments to create Beatrice’s ironic character of a strong woman in a time of female oppression.

Earlier in the scene, Beatrice tells Leonato the qualities that she would expect in a man, She says that she “could not endure a husband; with a beard on his face; [she]’d rather lie in the woolen”(II,i.) Beatrice’s hyperbolized reaction further portrays how different her actions are, from the normal actions of women during the time period. This also represents her perceived view of mature men, represented by the beard, as itchy, and are therefore too irritating to stand, like wool. She makes an insane claim regarding what she would, apparently, rather do than love a mature, or bearded man, like Benedick. Following this, Beatrice comments on her lack of feelings for a mature man, by saying that she is “not for him: therefore, [she] will even take sixpence in earnest of the bear-ward, and lead his apes into hell”(II,i.) Beatrice’s reaction to such an unimportant trait is clearly exaggerated, by her saying that she should take money from a bearded husband, and lead said man into Hell. This displays the fact that she not only does not believe that she ever wants to be with a real man, but she believes that she doesn’t need a man in her life at

all.

During the scene, Shakespeare continuously uses dialogue, to create a humorous mood, and show how Beatrice truly feels about Benedick. This goes to show how love can be filled with both comedy and hatred. Beatrice very clearly cares for Benedick but uses comedy to avoid admitting her feelings for him, effectively using comedy as a defense mechanism. This use of comedy also shows Beatrice’s lack of regard for her gender’s role in society. The comedy also displays some of the effects that bachelordom has on Beatrice and her life. Such language also creates a comedic atmosphere during tragic and stressful moments in the lives of the characters. Doing so, by using sarcasm and sex, Shakespeare effectively relieves the stress.