Act 2, Scene 1 is crucial in the understanding of Beatrice and Benedick’s relationship. As the play progresses, both strive to conceal their true feelings through verbal sparring;
“I will go now on the slightest errand now to the Antipodes that you can devise me on…rather than hold three words conference with this harpy.” (Act 2.1.232-8)
Benedick, while employing his witty hyperbole gives a flawless example of his inflated rhetoric. He grossly over stresses how Beatrice has treated him. This witty yet exasperating speech reveals that perhaps - “he doth protest too much”. Benedick is perhaps the most melodramatic of characters in this play, he seems to be providing constant entertainment for the benefit of others.
This theme of repressed love is again heavily reinforced later in this act. It is in this act that we hear details of their prior involvement. After being told she has “lost the heart” of Benedick, she says;
“Indeed, my lord, he lent it me awhile, and I gave him use for it, a double heart for his single one…he won it of me with false dice”
(Act 2.1.245-247)
This statement is fairly indistinct but what’s for definite is that Benedick has, in the past, broken her heart. “with false dice” suggests that he had misled or deceived her. This is the point in the play that we witness existent vulnerability within Beatrice and recognize where her cynical and hardened attitude to love stems from.
Beatrice is reluctant to break free from her liberty and submit to a controlling husband. However, when she hears her kinswomen speaking of Benedick’s love for her and what people say about her, she instantaneously opens herself up to love
“Contempt farewell! And maiden pride adieu!
No glory lives behind the back of such.” (Act 3.1.109-10)
Although she may appear tough and unsentimental, Beatrice is very vulnerable. She realises that her stubbornness and cynical outlook on love has prevented her from finding happiness and so she pledges her love for him “No glory…such” reveals that she recognizes that pride is her weakness and that people don’t speak well of her behind her back because of it.
Also having heard the set-up created by his friends, Benedick is utterly taken aback by what he has heard. He feels foolish for his previous comments and criticisms of marriage and has an abrupt change of heart;
“I will be horribly in love with her… I have railed so long against marriage. But doth not the appetite alter?” (Act 2.3.215-8)
Like Beatrice, Benedick realises how proud he has been and sees this as an opportunity to change himself. With the prospect of Beatrice loving him, there is no need to keep up the charade that he dislikes her.
However, “horribly in love with her” implies that Benedick will be, to all intents and purposes, continuing the rivalry by striving to outdo her in love and courtship.
Act 4 introduces a more serious side to their relationship. As a result of the false accusation made against Hero, Beatrice seeks vengeance on her behalf. She bids Benedick kill him as verification of his love for her. This again creates conflict in their relationship;
“You dare easier be friends with me than fight with
mine enemy.” (Act 4.1.292-3)
Upon Benedick vowing that he loves her, she says “do not swear and eat it”, this reinforces her vulnerability after their past relationship and how he has let her down before. With his love on trial, Benedick has no choice but to challenge Claudio – formerly his best friend. He has quite uncharacteristically handed over his loyalties to Beatrice.
The Final Act sees a warm and blissful ending for Beatrice and Benedick as they publicly declare their love for each other. Benedick, who for so long had mocked love and marriage, asks for Beatrice’s hand;
“..never flout at me for what I have said against it – for man is a giddy thing and this is my conclusion.” (Act 5. 4.105-6)
Benedick finally realises how foolish he’s acted and how much he’s changed.
“Much Ado About Nothing”, a play by William Shakespeare effectively reveals a transforming relationship between Beatrice and Benedick through conflict, theme and characterisation. Throughout the play their relationship gives the audience a real sense of the unruly impulsiveness within love in addition to the struggles and conflicts they had to overcome. The transformation of two bitter and resentful spinsters into romantic lovers makes Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” a greatly amusing and classic play.
