From the beginning of the play you can tell that these two are very powerful characters in their own ways.
In the first section you get an intense feeling of hatred as Beatrice and Benedick throw insults back and forth at each other, which surely must symbolize that they don’t like each other. You go through the play gradually thinking if they actually hate or like each other. The twist in the play is a surprise but it has been brought on gently as well, not just suddenly placed in front of you.
Each of the two know deep down that they do love each other and only when their friends plot against them do they end up declaring their love for each other. Benedick has protested in the past about loving Beatrice and we get this idea from this passage and numerous other passages throughout the play.
Beatrice and Benedick did not jump into their relationship as they already knew each other for a long time before. Their love is based on the exploration of each others character, partly by the acts verbal duels. Although originally they are both too proud to acknowledge each others love for one another. This shows development in their characters.
Shakespeare presents Beatrice and Benedick very much as equals in “Much Ado About Nothing”. If you compare how Beatrice talks to Don Pedro to how she talks to Benedick one can see that she thinks herself as being equal in superiority with Benedick but inferior to the Prince.
Benedick: God keep your ladyship still in that mind, so some gentlemen or other shall escape a predestinate scratched face.
Beatrice: Scratching could not make it worse, and that such a face as yours were.
Don Pedro: Will you have me, lady?
Beatrice: No, my lord, unless I might have another for working-days, your grace is too costly to wear every day.
If the same scenario (Benedick suspected Beatrice of cheating on him) had happened to Benedick and Beatrice then I am sure Benedick would have investigated further before taking any action as he trusts more readily. This trust is shown when despite not believing that Claudio wronged Hero he goes with Beatrice¡¦s word and challenges Claudio. This also shows that Beatrice and Benedick would do anything for each other, even kill ones best friend to prove their love for one another.
Beatrice and Benedick have been well acquainted for a long time, “I know you of old”. Whereas the couple of Claudio and Hero barely know each other before they decide that they love each other.
