The conversation held between Beatrice and Benedict is shocking because it is contradictory to the persona they both have been presenting since the start of the play.

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In Act IV, Scene I, the conversation between Beatrice and Benedict is shocking and important. Explain why.

The conversation held between Beatrice and Benedict is shocking because it is contradictory to the persona they both have been presenting since the start of the play. Even before Benedict has arrived in Messina, Beatrice is insulting him to the messenger. She asks the messenger things about Benedict like: ‘how many hath he killed?’ She insults his skill as a soldier and his valour on the battlefield. She says ‘I promise to eat all of his killing’ as an insult to his ability as a competent soldier. When Benedict arrives in Messina, He and Beatrice have a ‘battle of wits’ in which both insult each other until Don Pedro and Leonato lead Beatrice and the others out of the room leaving Benedict with Claudio.

Benedict and Beatrice, throughout the play, both talk of how they would never marry or love. Benedict first says this is in Act I, Scene I where he states that ‘I will live a Bachelor’. At the start of the play Benedict has no desire to get married or even to fall in love with any woman. When Don Pedro says that Benedict looks pale with love, Benedict replies ‘With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord, not with love’ again sticking with his idea that he will never fall in love or marry.

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Beatrice first says she doesn’t want to be loved during her ‘battle of wits’ with Benedict where she says: ‘I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow then hear a man swear he loves me’.

Both are convinced otherwise when they ‘overhear’ other characters talking about how the other is in love with them. Benedict hears Don Pedro Leonato and Claudio speak of how Beatrice was in love with Benedict but wouldn’t ever say it to him. Beatrice hears the same from Hero and Ursula about Benedict.

After Claudio is tricked into leaving Hero in the middle ...

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