Shakespeare lived in a time before knowledge was greatly available or accessible. The great explanations offered by later scientists were yet to occur. Therefore we can say that Shakespeare lived in a period of transition. It was a time where the church and religion had to give way to discovery and investigations by scientists and great thinkers. This transition, or exchange of powers, lead to an uncertainty of the future in Shakespeare’s lifetime and is reflected in his plays.
At this time of uncertainty Shakespeare presents us with the bonds of friendship. In all of his plays as friend becomes a valuable asset as both a confidant and partner in the actions of the character. In Much Ado about Nothing the bonds of friendship are tested and, as some critics would argue, used to achieve the desired results from a situation.
In Much Ado about Nothing, Hero uses her friendship with Beatrice to entrap her in the plot that the rest of the characters (except Benedick) have formulated. Hero uses the flaws that Beatrice has as a way of helping her to finish her development as a character as well as paving the way for the marriage of Benedick and Beatrice by saying that Benedick is desperately in love with Beatrice. Hero is using her friendship with Beatrice in a way that she hopes will improve the life of Beatrice. “I will do any modest office, my lord, to help my cousin to a good husband”. She and Ursula walk through the orchard speaking in sonnets whilst Margaret is sent to fetch Beatrice as if she wants Beatrice to know that they are talking about her. “No truly, Ursula, she is too disdainful; I know her spirits are as coy and wild as haggards of the rock.”, “But are you sure Benedick loves Beatrice so entirely?” For the duration of their conversation Beatrice is hiding behind a wall and can hear everything, as they leave she says “Can this be true? Stand I condemned for pride and scorn so much? Contempt, farewell! And maiden pride, adieu!” By resolving to change he ways the Shakespearean audience know that her journey as a character is now complete and will lead to a happy ending. However when a similar entrapment involved Benedick his character did not change immediately and so the audience was aware that the play would continue adding suspense. Some feminist critics would argue that the entrapment of Beatrice showed a side to Hero that we do not see around the men. Hero was deceiving and cunning around the women but whilst in the company of men she is quiet and subdued. Other critics would argue that this is simply because if she were to have personality like Beatrice then Claudio may not have been attracted to her and therefore a further entrapment would be needed to find Hero a husband. The entrapment of Beatrice follows the theme of love and marriage in this play as well as the theme of deception that is used throughout the play for good and bad deeds. Shakespeare sets the scene in an orchard which separates the entrapment from the house which has thus far been the centre of the action. Feminist critics argue that the orchard is a feminine place to be and the separation from the house allows the women to be deceiving and lively. The house, or the property, at this time would only be inherited by a male kin and so remains a male dominated scene. The orchard is separated from that scene and so gives the women license to be slightly less that their usual perfect selves.
Another example of the strong bond of friendship in this play is where Beatrice refuses to believe Hero’s guilt despite the overwhelming evidence presented. ‘O, on my soul, my cousin is belied!’ She is so convinced that she requests that Benedick challenge Claudio to a dual; “Come, bid me do anything for thee”, “Kill Claudio.”…”I will challenge him” Though Benedick agrees to kill his friend, he does it because he loves Beatrice. Beatrice never once doubts the innocence of her friend and cousin Hero which shows a strong loyalty, commitment and friendship bond. Some feminist critics would argue that the ease of which Benedick agrees to kill his friend compared with Beatrice’s unfailing belief in Hero’s innocence is representative of Shakespeare’s view of women as a source of stability. Other critics would argue that Benedick’s decision to kill Claudio for Beatrice is simply a flaw in his character.
Both extracts show the bonds of friendship and the way that they dictate the plot of the play. Hero entraps Beatrice and makes her fall in love with Benedick; her love for Benedick is what convinces her to ask him to kill Claudio to save Hero. It can be argued therefore that through friendship Beatrice and Hero save each other from unhappiness. It can be argued the Shakespeare does this on purpose in order that the two friends become invaluable to each other therefore representing the strong bond that friendship holds over life.
