Examine how Shakespeare presents the relationship of Beatrice and Benedick in comparison to his presentation of the love between Hero and Claudio.
Examine how Shakespeare presents the relationship of Beatrice and Benedick in comparison to his presentation of the love between Hero and Claudio. William Shakespeare wrote "Much Ado About Nothing" between 1598 and 1600 during Elizabethan times. Shakespeare often explored the relationships between two characters in his plays and his relatively early play "Much Ado About Nothing" is no exception. The shear number of plays that featured love as a major role and plot device suggested it to be a favourite theme of Shakespeare's. "Much Ado About Nothing" consists of two very different presentations of love in the relationships of Beatrice and Benedick, and Hero and Claudio. From the onset of the play the audience is aware of the role the central characters play and from the initial meetings of the couples, their interactions as well as the language they use, Shakespeare is able to portray and define these relationships clearly to the audience. Along with examining the presentations of the relationships, it is a good idea to consider the conventions of Elizabethan times and remember that although "Much Ado About Nothing" has the potential to become a tragedy it is essentially in the romantic comedy genre where the primary focus is marriage. The relationships of Benedick and Beatrice and Hero and Claudio are indeed very different, as are their characteristics and attributes. The
It has been suggested by critics that Much Ado About Nothing shows that deceit is not inherently evil, but sometimes can be us
It has been suggested by critics that Much Ado About Nothing shows that deceit is not inherently evil, but sometimes can be used as a means to good or bad ends. What is your interpretation of the play? The word deceit means to give an appearance or an impression that is different from the true one. Deceit is a recurring theme in Much Ado About Nothing. Characters are constantly deceiving each other or being deceived, be it for good or bad means. Without this continual theme of deception the plot would not be able to unfold. The theme of deception is revealed early on in the play when Don Pedro, the prince, agrees to woo Hero in place of Claudio. 'I will assume thy part in some disguise And tell fair Hero I am Claudio,' Don Pedro also tells Claudio that 'we are the only love gods' meaning that nothing will happen between Claudio and Hero unless he intervenes. Here deception is used by Claudio and Don Pedro as a way to win Hero despite Claudio's seemingly shy and sensitive nature. Shakespeare could have constructed Claudio's character in this way as a way of illustrating the difference between the romantic, sensitive Claudio and the more outgoing and vibrant Don Pedro. Don Pedro successfully manages to woo Hero who happily agrees to marry Claudio, creating a happy resolution to Don Pedro's trickery; this then gives the audience an optimistic impression of Don Pedro. There
What makes much ado about nothing a timeless piece of Literature?
What makes much ado about nothing a timeless piece of Literature? The play 'Much Ado About Nothing' was written by William Shakespeare in the late 1600's and over 400 years later is still a popular play with universal appeal. The play is one of many themes including love, villainy, friendship, parent-child relationships, society and customs. These six themes, among others which Shakespeare explored throughout the play are all still very relevant in most people's lives today and many of them are frequently used as bases for story lines on modern television and radio shows, as well as in magazines and best selling plays and novels. In the play there are also no dull moments to bore readers - there is always something happening, whether it is a new plot, an old conflict or songs and dancing. This is a key factor in the popularity of the play. Although some would say that the double and triple plots and storylines are too confusing, they do ensure that the readers' or viewers' attention is always captured. One element of the play which makes it appealing to people is the idyllic Italian town of Messina, with large palaces, houses and beautiful cypress trees, scenery and warm weather. At the time when Shakespeare wrote the play very few English people would have visited Italy, but nowadays it is much easier and cheaper to do so, so people can relate to the setting. Very few of
Compare and Contrast the two couples, Beatrice and Benedick and Hero and Claudio. Discuss how much their individual character influences their situation. Consider what sort of future each couple might expect in the play Much Ado about Nothing.
Compare and Contrast the two couples, Beatrice and Benedick and Hero and Claudio. Discuss how much their individual character influences their situation. Consider what sort of future each couple might expect. The play Much Ado about Nothing is full of lies and deceit but there is also the story of two couples who are very different but at the same time very similar. For instance Beatrice and Benedick are a unconventional couple as they are constantly arguing. But Hero and Claudio probably fell in love with each other the moment they met. The statements that I made above are true to a degree but after further reading of the book I have been able to determine that Beatrice and Benedick probably fell in love with each other at first sight but because of their strong personalities they refused to accept each other. At the start of the play Beatrice asks the messenger whether Benedick is returning from the war but by calling Benedick "Signor Mountano" she is able to disguise her true feelings. This proves that Beatrice feels something for Benedick even before Leonato tries to match the pair. Also another way that Beatrice disguises her true feelings is the way she says that she never wants to get married yet when Hero announces her wedding Beatrice says "Everyone goes to the world but I". This shows that she does actually want to get married. I have also been able to
Discuss Shakespeare's presentation of Claudio and the intentions behind the main plot in Much Ado About Nothing
GCSE English Coursework Let every eye negotiate for itself And trust no agent; for beauty is a witch Discuss Shakespeare's presentation of Claudio and the intentions behind the main plot in Much Ado About Nothing "Let every eye negotiate for itself And trust no agent; for beauty is a witch" Claudio, Act II, i, lines 134-5 In William Shakespeare's romantic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, the character Claudio is a young duke from Florence, commended for his proficiency in battle with Don Pedro's army, and a man quick to choose his love; his first line in the play, which happens to be to Benedick, is about his new love. Whilst he falls for Leonato's daughter Hero, we see his poor qualities flourish - he is naïve, even for his age, rash and gullible, but the nearest parallel to his friend, Benedick there is in the play. Compared, Claudio seems extremely similar, yet without Benedick's superior maturity or academic qualities. Claudio occasionally finds himself out of place, (for instance, in act I, scene I, he waits from line 71 to 118 to speak, as the most upper class members of society there meet and greet each other) as he might do with many high ranking and gifted men along side him, especially in the town of Messina where language is seemingly used as a force, or a weapon, and not just for simplistic communication. The first meeting between Beatrice and Benedick is
Explore the relationships between Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing
Explore the relationships between Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing Throughout the entire play of 'Much Ado About Nothing', Beatrice and Benedick are the main characters of the play, although the story centres upon the characters of Hero and Claudio. This is because Beatrice and Benedick are both extremely vibrant and although they are different in many ways, both in fact share similarities. They also seem to be the most modern characters of the play because neither of them to begin with like the idea of marriage. In the time of Shakespeare this would be an extremely unusual attitude, especially for a woman. Both demonstrate similar attitudes towards each other throughout the play, which fluctuates between love or hate. They are also characters who speak for them selves and have an opinion about everything, especially Beatrice In the first scene, Beatrice talks to a messenger and her uncle. Shakespeare makes it instantly seems as if she and Benedick do not to get along, when she calls him "Signor Mountanto", which is very rude and suggests that he has a 'big-head'. Even though she refers to Benedick in a negative manner, it is interesting that she mentions him before she mentions anyone else. Shakespeare portrays this interest in a fairly covert way; yet she obviously cares about him a way, by asking if he has returned from war. Yet, she does so in such a
Deception and Forced love
Beatrice and Benedick's Love In Much Ado about Nothing by William Shakespeare, the main characters in the play are faced with obstacles such as deceit and revealing true emotions. The lovers introduced in the play are Claudio, Hero, Beatrice and Benedick. Sometimes deception can be perceived as good when used for benign purposes, but it can also destroy relationships. In this comedy, Beatrice and Benedick seemed to be tricked and forced into falling in love, but actually they are dynamic as they realize they truly love each other. I believe you can't "force" a couple into falling in love, Beatrice and Benedick weren't also forced in to loving each other, they loved each other all along. From the beginning of the play, Beatrice and Benedick are shown in the play almost always having a "merry war of wits", bickering with one another right from the start. It is also noted that they had a past relationship, which shows that they had some kind of interest with one another. When Don Pedro talks to Beatrice about "losing Sir Benedick's heart" she replies that she once had "lent him a double heart for his single one...your grace may well say I have lost it." (2.1 240-245) which could mean he eventually led her on and they broke up. Therefore, it is only reasonable that an estranged couple would not try and love each other again because of their past mistakes/indifferences unless
Personal study - Much Ado About Nothing
"Much Ado About Nothing", a compelling play by William Shakespeare, explores the changing relationships between the characters. Set in Messina during the late 1500s, Prince Don Pedro of Aragon and his men have returned from battle to Governor Leonato's country house. Through conflict, theme and characterisation, Shakespeare reveals a developing relationship between the cynical heroine Beatrice and the egotistical soldier Benedick. At the beginning of the play, there seems to be a possibility of a budding romance between Beatrice and Benedick although they appear to be in conflict with each other. Through dialogue we can assume that they are averse lovers. In the opening act we witness them arguing as lovers; " What, my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yet living?" - Benedick "Courtesy itself must convert to disdain if you come in her presence." - Beatrice (Act1.1.p25) Evidently, this is quite a tongue-in-cheek question with clear signs of attraction as he teases her. Their words, which may imply mutual abhorrence, are easier for them to express than to admit their true feelings. 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
Chains of Love. In Shakespeares play, Much Ado About Nothing, two couples develop throughout the story, Claudio and Hero, along with Benedick and Beatrice.
Christelle LaRocque Mrs. Kostecki Grade 10, Pd. 4 1/5/10 Chains of Love Sometimes people think they are in true love and that it will last forever, but usually they are not. True love is when two people become one, trade souls, and combine hearts. Sometimes people are this intertwined, but no one can see it except for them. In Shakespeare's play, Much Ado About Nothing, two couples develop throughout the story, Claudio and Hero, along with Benedick and Beatrice. Benedick and Beatrice will probably have a far more successful relationship then Hero and Claudio. Benedick and Beatrice have a better chance at maintaining their relationship because they are independent, they trust each other, and they are completely devoted to each other. These are all important factors in a successful relationship, but if a chain is going to be strong there can be no weak links. In order to have a strong, lasting relationship, the two pieces that make the bond need to be strong to begin with. Beatrice and Benedict are both very strong individuals. This can be good and bad. They both are very stubborn and insistent on the fact that they do not need to get married. They do not want someone who will take care of them. This stubbornness and independence lets them hold on to their pride enough that they can put off their feelings and refuse to admit that they love each other. Even when it is
Consider why Shakespeare requires two pairs of lovers in Much Ado About Nothing and to what extent you as a modern reader are above to respond sympathetically to how they are presented.
Consider why Shakespeare requires two pairs of lovers in Much Ado About Nothing and to what extent you as a modern reader are above to respond sympathetically to how they are presented. By Paula Metcalfe Overall I beleive that Shakespeare deliberately decided to have two sets of lovers to provide the reader/audience with contrasting perspectives on similar situations. The themes of the play are courship, love, marriage and an individuals role in society. He has sucessfully acheived this. As a modern reader we are gven some insight into attitudes in Elizabethan England. This was a male dominated society. A woman's options and future were often determined by society's perception of her and her behaviour. Although this play is set in the ficticious place of Messina it comes across as set in English society.Both men and women were expeced to display certain qualities and adopt certain roles in society. In this play I think Shakespeare is questioning the society of the time. He uses the two sets on lovers to show a contrast between what was expected at the time with Claudio and Hero against the modern thinking Beatrice and Benedick. As a modern reader I would expect that on the whole sympathies and admiration would be directed towards Beatrice and Benedick. They both display individuality and are not afraid of voicing there own opinions.
