Compare Shakespeare's Presentation of the Contrasting Relationships between Beatrice and Benedick and Claudio and Hero
Compare Shakespeare's Presentation of the Contrasting Relationships between Beatrice and Benedick and Claudio and Hero
In 'Much Ado About Nothing' Shakespeare presents two contrasting relationships. Claudio and Hero's relationship is a conventional, idealistic courtship of the time. Principally Hero and Claudio are apt to declaim in verse throughout the play as their relationship is based on this expected decorum of courting. Their relationship is impetuous and emotionally painful as they lack a true understanding of each other. The deception featured within the play tries the strength of the relationship and only the endeavours of the other characters and discovery of the truth that allows their relationship to continue. Benedick and Beatrice understand each other on an intellectual level and use their skills with words to banter and create friction between them. The two characters take longer to acknowledge their feelings for each other and their friends provide catalyst to awaken these feelings. Benedick and Beatrice usually communicate in prose to reflect the unpretentious relationship. Different personalities of characters result in their contrasting relationships. Beatrice and Benedick are independent and they both exemplify a negative attitude to love and marriage. Claudio and Hero however, are naïve which explains how their love for each other is more conventional and romantic; it is based on appearance rather than a mental connection. The similarities in their attitudes to love bring them closer to their partners.
Beatrice is introduced to he audience as a keenly witty, intelligent and independent woman, who is harsh towards Benedick. At the beginning of the play the messenger describes Benedick: "A good soldier too, lady." This communicates that Benedick is brave and honourable, but Beatrice's clever wit is conveyed as she uses a pun by changing his words so they mean the very opposite, "And a good soldier to a lady," implying that Benedick is a shallow womaniser. The audience is given the impression that Beatrice has a low opinion of Benedick which is enforced when Leonarto uses military language and says: "...there is a kind of merry war betwixt Signor Benedick and her: they never meet but there is a skirmish of wit between them." This suggests that the two characters are known to have battles of words when they cross paths but the oxymoron, 'merry war' gives a sense that the friction between them is complementary. It is also significant that the audience's introduction to Beatrice is her asking after Benedick, when she says, "I pray you is Signor Mountanto returned from the wars no?" The comment contains sexual connotation as "Mountanto" is a fencing term for thrusting. However, it insinuates that she cares about him but hides her concerns by making her enquiry into a joke.
The contrast between the two relationships is made apparent from the beginning as Claudio is affectionate towards Hero and openly admits his feelings for her. Claudio is smitten by her when he first sees her and describes her as "a jewel". Moreover, this language also conveys that he is struck by her appearance only, and perhaps sees her as a possession. He continues to say: "In mine eye, she is the sweetest lady that ever I love upon." This shows that he has genuinely fallen for her; it explores Claudio's idealistic attitude to love reflected by his romantic language. Claudio is clearly infatuated by Hero's beauty but seeks advice from friends to ease his insecurities of women and his own confused emotions: "But lest my liking might too sudden seem". We are able to see that he is unsure if the feelings are true ands is wary that he may be assuming he loves Hero too quickly. When Claudio asks Don Pedro's advice they use romantic verse as they both believe in love. "How sweetly you do minister to love, /That no loves grief by his complexion". Claudio's lyricism enforces his desire to love Hero. However, a weak side of Claudio is revealed to the audience when he uses 'grief' to describe love, suggesting his naivety and inexperience as he associates love with negative language.
Unlike Claudio's desire to court Hero, there is a distinct lack of affection during the first encounter between Beatrice and Benedick, Benedick says: "What, my lady Disdain! Are you yet living?" The audience recognises the quarrelling which they had previously been made aware of as the use of the word 'distain' means Beatrice is contemptuous. The language reflects their understanding and the familiarity of each other's personalities and behaviour, they are ready to banter. Beatrice says, "You always end with a jade's trick: I know you of old". It is during their repartee that Shakespeare shows Beatrice's attitude ...
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Unlike Claudio's desire to court Hero, there is a distinct lack of affection during the first encounter between Beatrice and Benedick, Benedick says: "What, my lady Disdain! Are you yet living?" The audience recognises the quarrelling which they had previously been made aware of as the use of the word 'distain' means Beatrice is contemptuous. The language reflects their understanding and the familiarity of each other's personalities and behaviour, they are ready to banter. Beatrice says, "You always end with a jade's trick: I know you of old". It is during their repartee that Shakespeare shows Beatrice's attitude to love is when she says, "I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me". She claims that she does not want to be in love, she prefers to be independent. Benedick has a similar view to love and marriage as he says "I will live a bachelor". When talking to Claudio, who wants to pursue his love, Benedick scornfully states if he ever considered marriage, "If I do, hang me in a bottle like a cat". The audience finds this image humorous; it is an excessive retort to marriage.
At the masked ball Benedick is hurt by Beatrice's words about him when while he is in disguise. He turns to Don Pedro: "She told me not thinking I had been myself that I was the prince's jester, that I was duller than a great thaw." This suggests to the audience that their relationship is progressing as Benedick cares what Beatrice thinks of him compared to their harsh reactions to one another during the previous 'war' or words between them.
During the same event the evil Don John tries to exacerbate and obstruct the wooing of Hero for Claudio. He does this by deceiving Claudio, which presents the opportunity for the significant aspect of Claudio's suspicious nature and insecurities to be revealed. He is easily manipulated by Don John as his response is: "'Tis certain so, the prince woos for himself". The audience questions how deep Claudio's love for Hero is as he is quick to accept the deception and, even though it saddens him, he is quick to dismiss Hero and his feelings for her when he says, "Farewell therefore, Hero". He is not willing to pursue his love and overcome the obstacles in his way but forgets Hero instantly despite having had, seemingly, strong feelings for her. His insecurities towards women and untrusting personality is enforced when he says: "And trust no agent: for beauty is a witch..." Claudio uses "witch" to describe Hero's beauty to imply the emotional spell it cast him under and contrast extremely with "jewel" which he once used to describe her. Claudio's reaction to his hurt is melancholy; Beatrice recognises this in Claudio, remarking in a pun he is "as civil as an orange". This is an apt description of Claudio during this moment. When Claudio finds out the truth, and discovers he was just tricked his mood changes suddenly again, from jealousy and becomes high spirited, he says to Hero: "Silence is the perfectest herald of joy, I were but little happy if I could say, how much! Lady, as you are mine, I am yours: I give away myself to you, and dote upon the exchange." It seems Claudio expects instant forgiveness for doubting Hero even though he was able to dismiss her so easily before, reflecting his temperamental attitude towards the relationship. However, it is conveyed to the audience Claudio's happiness in Hero's acceptance of proposal through the romantic language.
Beatrice and Benedict, who are showing gradual signs of care and concern for each other. The audience perceives a romantic side of Beatrice when Hero accepts Claudio's proposal as she say, "...stop his mouth with a kiss, and let not him speak neither". Beatrice encourages Claudio and Hero's love even though she has a negative opinion of love.
Malevolent deception devised by Don John act as a testing of the strength of their relationship. Claudio's lack of trust and knowing Hero results in him being easily fooled by Don John and eventually divides the couple. It is influential on Hero's downfall during the denunciation scene as Don John is resentful of "that young start-up hath all the glory of my overthrow" and is seeking revenge. The deception of Hero to appear unchaste to hurt Claudio is intended to destroy the love in the relationship and encourage jealousy and doubt. In contrast to the role deception plays in their relationship, in Benedick's and Beatrice's it benefits them. Don Pedro with help from friends plans the humorous gulling of Benedick and Beatrice so their love for each other is awakened. Don Pedro and the other characters involved with the gulling of Benedick describe Beatrice falling upon her knees, weeping, tearing her hair, and crying, "O sweet Benedick, God give me patience". Don Pedro, being a close friend to Benedick, understands how his mind works and what will stir his emotions for Beatrice. Benedick initially has a shocked reaction to this, he says: "This can be no trick ... they have the truth of this from Hero, they seem to pity the lady: it seems her affections have full bent: love me? Why it must be requited." This shows that he has believed what they have said as even Hero, the closest person to Beatrice has told them this.
Benedick questions his belief of love and marriage as he says, "I did never think to marry, I must not seem proud, happy are they that hear their distractions, and can put them to mending... for I will be horribly in love with her..." This evidence proves that Benedick has fallen in love with Beatrice. An emotional glimpse into Benedick's genuinely generous and compassionate heart is revealed contradicting his extremely negative attitude to such emotions at the beginning of the play. He decides that there is no shame in changing his mind about marriage, and declares, "I will be horribly in love with her. . . . The world must be peopled. When I said I could die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married". It is humorous the way in which Benedick is struck by the information and changes his outlook indicating that there may have been some underlying feelings for Beatrice before hidden by the friendly teasing. In knowing she feels the same way has triggered these emotions coming to the surface.
Beatrice was fooled by her friends that Benedick is in love with her and also decides to stop resisting marriage and requite Benedick's love for her as a result of the gulling. It is necessary to deceive Beatrice as the idle talk evidence from her friends appears more truthful as Beatrice states "For others say... and I believe it better than reportingly." Beatrice accepts the news of Benedick's love for her is when she decides to return these feelings and says: "And Benedick love on, I will requite the".
This also illustrates the alternately rhyming verse Beatrice uses reflective of the romantic emotions experienced and the progression of their relationship.
It is through the gulling scenes that both Benedick and Beatrice decide to put their pride aside and return each other's feelings of love. They become aware of their faults that their friends criticise them for and change their attitudes towards love to mend their faults. Beatrice is made aware of the criticisms her friends have of her when she says, "Stand I condemned for pride and scorn so much?" She is willing to change as she says, "Contempt, farewell; and maiden pride, adieu. / No glory lives behind the back of such". She is flattered by Benedick's feelings towards her and is similarly ready to change her opinion of Benedick and "requite" his love. In his soliloquy, Benedick states upon overhearing his friend's criticisms, "if I do not take pity of her I am a villain". Benedick is concerned for Beatrice and is willing to change himself. The audience observe Benedick change physically in his efforts to impress Beatrice and seem more attractive, "Indeed he looks younger than he did, by the loss of his beard". This suggests that both characters are staying true to their words and are acting upon them.
The atmosphere darkens with the denunciation of Hero, the mood changes from one of rejoicing to one of foreboding of how Claudio will shame Hero and what will come of their relationship? Claudio's is impressionable and quick to accept the accusation made that Hero has been "disloyal". This suggests that Claudio does not know Hero well enough to realise that she would not be unfaithful and relates Claudio's suspicious nature previously causing turbulence in their relationship. His swift anger and susceptibility to suspicion now returns to haunt him as he plans "If I see anything tonight, why I should not marry her tomorrow... there I will shame her." This enforces Claudio mistrusting character being able to plan so quickly to humiliate rather than defend the unproven claim about the person he loves. He plans to punish Hero for the damage that has been made to his honour and pride. It is Claudio's pride and other aspects of his personality that are divulged through the play contribute to the deterioration of his relationship.
Claudio is convinced of Hero's betrayal and his pride will not be damaged by her unfaithfulness. To compensate for his hurt he adopts a ruthless, soldier-like manner he adopts when condemning her:
"Give not this rotten orange to your friend,
She's but the sign and semblance of her honour"
This is a verbal attack on Hero leaving her confounded and potentially destroyed. The reference to "orange" reminds the audience of Claudio being described as one during his state of anger and jealousy at the masked ball, with the use of dramatic irony the audience recalls that it was during that scene that Don John deceived Claudio before. The audience recognise the little development in the relationship since the masked ball as Claudio has been fooled by Don John again. He does not trust Hero still, though the previous accusation of her was incorrect.
Although the usually quiet Hero speaks up in her own defence, Claudio does not allow her even the possibility of defending herself. When she blushes in shock and humiliation, he cries:
"She knows the heat of a luxurious bed.
Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty."
Hero's reactions of horror become, in Claudio's description of her face, evidence of her guilt, making it impossible for her to offer any defence. Claudio similarly discards Hero's denial of the accusation when she says, "I talked with no man at that hour, my lord". Claudio's harshness is presented once more.
The development of Benedick and Beatrice does not correspond with that of Claudio's and Hero's. Benedick conveys immense loyalty to Beatrice in her judgement that Hero is innocent when she says "as sure as I have a thought or a soul". His trusting in her is illustrated when he agrees to "Kill Claudio" at her request. The language used by Beatrice is brief and straight to the point much like her determination to end his life. Benedick agreeing to "challenge" Claudio demonstrates the loyalty and trust that is not present in the other relationship Shakespeare presents.
The acknowledgements of love between the two relationships convey the differences between them. Claudio follows the code of courtly love, encouraging marriage and asking Hero's father for permission to marry her. Hero's acceptance is due to her obedient nature to her father, who instructs, "If the price do solicit you in that kind, you know your answer." Hero is not strong minded and independent unlike Beatrice as her relationship with Claudio is idealistic. The couple use flowery, romantic language in poetic verse to emphasise this:
"If it prove so, then loving goes by haps,
Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps".
However, Benedick confesses his love for Beatrice when a vulnerable aspect of her personality is revealed. He confesses to her, "I do love nothing in the world as well as I love you, is that not strange?" Benedick also reveals a considerate side and his ability to relate to Beatrice's exposed and defenceless state at that moment. Beatrice responds in saying, "I love you with so much of my heart, that none is left to protest". Therefore, the reader identifies the unpretentious acknowledgement of their love which is approached on their own terms without following the process of courtly love and interference of others - the use of prose is to reflect their realistic connection. Romantic language is not a feature in the relationship and on a rare occasion Benedick attempts to woo Beatrice with poetry he admits, "...never so truly turned over and over as my poor self in love: marry, I cannot show it in rhyme".
In conclusion, Shakespeare presents the contrasting relationship between Beatrice and Benedick and Claudio and Hero through the style of language. The developments and progression of their relationships are triggered by significant moments in the plot and causes their attitudes towards the idea of loving each other change. Benedick and Beatrice use prose for the majority of the play to represent their down-to-earth relationship. It is through their playful banter and gulling which establishes the growth of an independent union on an intellectual level. Claudio and Hero's relationship is symbolised by the romantic verse they employ suited to their idealistic bond. It is turbulent throughout the play due to the events of deceit which prompt Claudio's harsh, suspicious and jealous traits which more than challenge Hero's gentle and innocent persona. It is through the difficulties their relationship is faced with that Claudio learns humility and to trust Hero.
