Benedick, as an Elizabethan man, is expected to marry and have legitimate heirs, so when he declares that he will remain single, ‘I will live a bachelor’ line 27 Act 1 scene 1, he is laughed at with disbelief, ‘I will see thee, ere I die, look pale with love’ line 28. In the space of Act 2 scene 3 Benedick’s views are changed and he declares, ‘I will be horribly in love with her’ line 228 and ‘when I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married’ line 235. By the end of his soliloquy in Act 2 scene 3, from where these quotes came, he is convinced and prepares to requite it.
The changing relationship between Benedick and Beatrice is focused on in great detail by Shakespeare and their first meeting after the tricking – Hero’s ‘death’ is very different to their initial meeting of the play. They are able to talk together and with the friar to help Hero and prove the other soldiers wrong; very different from the start of the play when they could not talk of the other without insults, ‘Signor Mountanto’ line 28 act 1 scene 1 is used by Beatrice, and ‘this harpy’ is used by Benedick in line 248 of Act 2 scene 1. In Act 4 scene 1 Beatrice declares that, ‘I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest’ line 282 and Benedick asserts that, ‘By this hand I love thee’ line 319. Shakespeare has cleverly used this to show that the two characters declare their love privately, but the audience knows that they believe what they say with their hearts. This disproves the quote ‘tricked into marriage against their hearts’ used for the question and is further supported in Act 5 scene 4 when the characters’ love is proven with letters that they have written to each other.
The way in which Shakespeare has written the tricking scenes is a very clever method using praise which was relevant to Elizabethan society and is still relevant today. In order to convince Benedick of Beatrice’s love, Don Pedro, Claudio and Leonarto praise Benedick and say how witty, valiant and proper he is. They present the view that Beatrice does not deserve Benedick and that she is wise, ‘in every thing but loving Benedick’ line 163 Act 2 Scene 3. This method of praising a man to make him realise how he acts has been well used and as we see in his soliloquy Benedick resolves to act and requite Beatrice’s love. However, the tricking of Beatrice has also been cleverly written and used by Hero and Ursula. The ladies criticise Beatrice, ‘her wit values itself so highly that all matter else seems weak’ lines 53 – 54 act 3 scene 1, and the exchange in this scene makes her realise that she is ‘condemned’, line 108, for the way she talks and acts. This method of bringing attention to certain aspects of one’s character has been very skilfully used in the play. However, the two scenes of tricking are not completely different. In both cases the person ‘in love’ is praised, ‘he hath an excellent good name’ act 3 scene 1 line 98 and ‘she’s an excellent sweet lady’ act 2 scene 3 line 160, and this helps the other character to appreciate how much they want to be together.
Benedick’s love for Beatrice is tested after Hero’s ‘death’ because Beatrice wants proof of his feelings. He asserts that, ‘By this hand I love thee’ and she replies, ‘use it for my love any other way than swearing by it’. Act 4 scene 1 lines 319 to 322. Benedick has previously stated that, ‘Bid me do anything for thee’ and Beatrice wants him to ‘Kill Claudio’ lines 284-5. At the end of their scene together Benedick agrees to challenge Claudio and prove not only his love for Beatrice but also Hero’s honour. The challenge is seen in Act 5 scene 1 and Benedick introduces it in line 142 with, ‘You are a villain’. This act is firm proof that he is in love with Beatrice and wants to prove it, not only to her but also to his companions – his love for Beatrice is worth more than their friendship formed during the war. Don Pedro and Claudio realise this when he leaves, ‘I’ll warrant you, for the love of Beatrice’ line189. This is where the Prince and Claudio know that their plan has worked, however the happiness is short lived as Hero’s honesty is proved in the same scene.
At the end of the play, act 5 scene 4, the plotting of the characters is revealed to the others and there is astonishment all round. Don Pedro and Claudio are amazed to find Hero still alive and Claudio is overjoyed to be able to marry her. It is then the turn of Benedick and Beatrice and the intentional overhearing plot is revealed. They declare to their audience that they have no great feelings towards the other but they are found to be lying when Claudio and Hero produce letters that Benedick and Beatrice have written to each other. ‘come, I will have thee; but, by this light, I take thee for pity’ is Benedick’s response in line 92 to which Beatrice replies, ‘I would not deny you ; but, by this good day, I yield upon great persuasion’ line 94. When asked, Benedick declares that he is happily married and that, ‘man is a giddy thing’ line 106. He then goes on to make peace with Claudio bringing the play to a happy conclusion.
In response to the quote used in the question, I disagree that without social pressure the characters would have remained unmarried. It is made clear through the tricking of the two individuals that they had feelings towards the other which they were not prepared to act upon without proof. It could be thought that they would have remained unmarried without the intervention of the friends, but others might be able to see that it would just have taken a longer time. The letters presented at the end of the play back up the view that Benedick and Beatrice’s hearts were well and truly in the marriage, and many would argue that it could not be said to be otherwise.
