A detailed account that examines and investigates the trials of Jesus; I will be examining the events that took place between the time Jesus was arrested up till he was crucified.

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Beatrice and Benedick

In this study, I will be exploring the way in which the relationship between Beatrice and Benedick is presented in Much Ado About Nothing, William Shakespeare.

Much Ado About Nothing is a play that presents the vast and sometimes ridiculous outcomes of deception. One of William Shakespeare's many comedy plays, Much Ado About Nothing differs from most of the other comedies in that it has naturalized the romantic materials. In this romantic comedy two sets of lovers share the spotlight.

Most of the plot's action is devoted to Claudio and Hero, who eventually come together despite various predicaments preventing their union.

The plot which concerns the relationship between Claudio and Hero, in contrast to the parallel plot of Beatrice and Benedick has much in common with Shakespeare's later plays therefore in my opinion, their relationship is not as interesting or profound as that of Beatrice and Benedick.

In the opening scene of the play the audience discovers that there was a battle being fought and several men are on their way home from the battlefield.

Beatrice asks a messenger about one man in particular-who turns out to be Benedick. When she asks this messenger about him, she doesn't use his name directly, she instead calls him, "Signor Montanto". By using this reference she is obviously being ironic. Beatrice could be using this term to mean a move in fencing, which is an upward thrust. Also, the way she pronounces it, Mount-on-to, could describe a specific sexual connotation. Either way, one cannot help but to think that Benedick is on her mind.

During the same conversation she attacks his wit and attitude:

She says: Alas, he gets nothing by that. In our last conflict four of his five wits went halting off, and now is the whole man governed with one; so that if he have wit enough to keep himself warm, let him bear it for a difference between himself and his horse, for it is all the wealth that he hath left to be known a reasonable creature. Who is his companion now? He hath every month a new sworn brother.

By this Beatrice is implying that Benedick uses his wit to gain friendship and companionship. After she makes this clear she remarks that the only real companionship that he has gained is that of his horse.

When Benedick makes his presence into the play he wastes no time in getting a response from Beatrice: "If Signor Leonato be her father, she would not have his head on her shoulders for all Messina, as like him as she is" Here, Benedick is referring to a cuckold's horns (with that is derived yet another sexual connotation) and his aim is to have Hero, Leonato's daughter object. Saying this will in turn provoke a response from Beatrice and thus, start a conversation.

This remark displays Benedick's wit directly as he uses others to provoke and more specifically encourage Beatrice.

Benedick is a young lord of Padua. After his friends play a trick on him and he finds out that Beatrice likes him he falls deeply in love with her.

'When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married. Here comes Beatrice. By this day, she's a fair lady. I do spy some marks of love in her'.
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He expresses his love for her through a letter that Claudio steals from him and gives to Beatrice. In the end of the story they represent the perfect stereotypical couple.

Beatrice is, in my opinion, the most significant character in the play. She has a dramatic nature. She shows how strong she is when she says that she was born to speak all mirth and no matter. She entertains everyone by her love for Benedick. Although it is obvious she that she is in love with him due to her exaggerated dismissive manner towards him and references ...

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