In Act 4, 1, during the wedding day of Claudio and Hero, it is clear to the audience that Claudio is more concerned with his male honor and his image. This is shown when Claudio criticises Hero on her unfaithfulness to him. He uses words such as ‘rotten orange’ to show his anger and rage, which leads to terrible shaming of an innocent victim- Hero. “There, Leonato, take her back again; Give not this rotten orange to your friend”. By the use of harsh words that Claudio uses in this Act, shows a big contrast in the passion and love at the beginning of the play. Shakespeare uses this contrast in order to increase the tension of the play, and to make the audience feel sorry for Hero as she is wrongly accused. He also does this to show the audience the other side of Claudio, as we are only shown one side of him from the beginning of the play until now.
The love between Beatrice and Benedick is the idealistic love of Shakespeare. Beatrice and Benedick’s love is based on mutual respect, love and true admiration. Shakespeare therefore, shows the contrast between Hero and Claudio’s relationship, and makes it clear that Beatrice and Benedick’s relationship is more cynical and wiser because they are much older. In the beginning of the play, there is nothing short of obvious attraction between Beatrice and Benedick, despite their presentation as two people who constantly criticises each other and deny their love. “What, my dear Lady Distain! Are you yet living?” This obviously is a rude remark to say to somebody, but Shakespeare makes it sound humorous in a way. As a response to this comment, Beatrice doesn’t loose an opportunity to reply in the same tone. “Is it possible disdain should die while she hath such meet food to feet it as Signor Benedick? Courtesy itself must convert to disdain if you come in her presence”. This teasing, with clear regard and attraction, continues with more passionate infighting where their fascination for each other becomes more and more clear later on the play. The words that they use to criticise each other, are the words that talked tediously by lovers who are confused and frightened of their attraction, and using harsh, playful words is their only way of showing feelings. Despite the fact that the two characters are constantly arguing with each other, Shakespeare’s use of language in this Act makes it humorous for the audience.
From Act 1, 1 we learn a lot about the background of Beatrice and Benedick. Both of the characters have ruined their outlooks of love by their previous past experience, and this could be the cause why they both reject love. “I know you of old”. This quote show that both of the characters, used to be in a relationship together but their relationship didn’t last long. From this Act, it is clear that both f the characters have fear and is scared of love because of their previous experience.
Later on the play, in Act 2, 1 Don Pedro, Leonato and other characters realise that there is some affection between Beatrice and Benedick and decide to trick them into liking each other. “I will in the interim undertake one of Hercules’ labours; which is, to bring Signor Benedick and the Lady Beatrice into a mountain of affection, th’ one with th’ other”
This shows that the audience and the characters see that they are a good match and feel that they need to be tricked into love. Shakespeare is trying to make a point that some people need a little help to realise that they are in love.
In Act 2, 3 Leonato, together with Don Pedro and Claudio make Benedick overhear them saying that Beatrice is madly in love with him but is just too embarrassed to let him know her feelings. “Come hither, Leonato. What was it you told me of today, that your niece Beatrice was in love with Signor Benedick?” In the meantime, Hero and Ursula contrive to let Beatrice hear them talk about how much Benedick loves her in Act 3, 1. “But are you sure That Benedick loves Beatrice so entirely?” Both Beatrice and Benedick are talkative and outspoken and full of wit. As the play progresses, both try to hide their feelings for each other by verbal sparring. Benedick seems to be mature and has good judgment. When everybody thinks that Hero has been unfaithful to Claudio, he remains skeptical as the Friar. After Hero’s disloyalty to Claudio, which is actually fake, had happened, Beatrice and Benedick’s relationship progresses from antipathy to falling in love with each other.
From this point of the play, both of the characters have been tricked very easily, and the power of love takes over. Shakespeare does this very rapidly, and shows the audience that true love will show with just a little help. The audience will now be very anxious to find out what happens next, and will feel excited for both of the characters.
In Act 4, 1 Shakespeare shows what type of character Benedick has when it comes to true love. It is shown to the audience that Benedick is prepared to sacrifice his male honor for Beatrice. “Enough, I am engaged; I will challenge him…” This shows that Benedick will even challenge his close friend, just to show how much he loves Beatrice.
This links back to the contrast shown earlier with Claudio’s character, where Shakespeare clearly shows that Claudio will not sacrifice his male honor for Hero.
Beatrice and Benedick also admit their love for each other in this scene. “I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest” This shows that Beatrice and Benedick both realised that they are in love with each other, and it shows that love has powered over their denial of love, which both of the characters had at the beginning of the play.
In conclusion, Shakespeare ends the play in a happy ending, despite all the tragedies that have been caused throughout the play. Because of the happy ending, hope is created for both of the couples; Claudio and Hero and Beatrice and Benedick. The audiences are left with a peaceful mind about all of the characters and events. The atmosphere is calm and everyone is happy. The relationships are worked out, and the audience get a real hope that both of the relationships are going to last and everything will happen as in a ‘fairy tale’.
Throughout the whole play, Shakespeare makes many references of true love, and shows what love can be like in some situations. He shows that Claudio and Hero’s relationship was only based on appearance, but again tries to point out that true love will only show if there is trust and honesty in a relationship. Beatrice and Benedick’s relationship however, if totally different. Throughout the whole play, it seemed like Shakespeare is trying to show the contrast of two relationships. Their relationship is more based on true feelings, which are sometimes hard to show, and could only show with some help (trickery).