This speech seems to be sincere but is it him simply being shallow? The fact that C says he loves H having only known her well for a few days raises the question as to how genuine C really is.
On the other hand B & B’s love is based on mutual respect, love and true admiration. In the beginning, there is some obvious attraction between the two. It appears as though they are reluctant loves duped into a suspicious relationship.
In the opening act, they already argue as lovers, i.e. Ben says, “ What, my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yet living? This could be seen to be quite a tongue in rude questioning, with undertones of attraction.
As is Beat’s reply, “Is it possible disdain should die, while she hath such meet food to feet it, as Signor Ben? Courtesy itself must convert to disdain if you come in her presence.”
This I believe is teasing laced with clear attraction. It continues with more passionate in-flirting where their fascination for each other becomes more and more clear.
The language used by the two sets of lovers is quite different. B&B speak to and about each other truthfully and in some cases rudely. At first you as the audience take this to be because they do not like each other or even hate each other. But as the story progresses and their language towards each other beginnings to change, you sharp relies that it could have been them trying to hide their true feelings or maybe be confused about how they feel.
On the other hand C&H speak lovingly and affectionately towards each other from the very moment they meet. This very quickly goes down hill as C trust is easily lead astray.
I think if I was the director of this play and was performing it for a modern audience I would defiantly play up the suspiciousness of C. I really don’t like his character and I would want my audience to feel the same. Basically so that there isn’t the one, main, typical “bady” figure.
I would also have it preformed in modern language to relate to the people of today, although the language used by Shakespeare is seen to be one of the main attractions to his plays, maybe people of now a days find it hard to understand. Plus I believe that the story-line is enough to make the play a success.
