Shakespeare uses Beatrice’s position in the household as a reason for her more outrageous behaviour – she lives with her Uncle, and doesn’t feel the pull of resposibility towards her parents that Hero feels.
This causes many differences in the behaviour of Beatrice and |Hero; Beatrice can be herself, “warring” with men and is critical of many male values, Hero on the other hand is the perfect 16th Centurye woman – silent and reserved in the persnce of men.
Beatrice has two very clear roles in the play, Shakespeare gives her the role of the match-maker, bound for spinster hood but happy to see others fall in love, and the flirt, using her energetic witty emarks, Beatrice flirts with men who accepted her.
Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to surround Beatrices comment “…till god make man of some other metal than Earth…” as the audience already feel that Beatrice knew Benedick before, “…I know you of old…” and that there may be something more than their “merry war”.
Beatrice’s “merry war” with Benedick can be seed as pure hatred or simple teasing between the couple, Shakespeare illustrates that this is teasing as Beatrice has the same interaction with others also.
Both these roles are easily acted upon by Beatrice as she isn’t restricted by parents as Hero is.
Shakespeare uses many literary devices to show Beatrice’s intelligence and quick wit, such as oxymorons, “..not till a hot Janurary…” showing the audience Beatrice’s quick thinking and adding to the humour of the play by using a play on words – “…a prince’s jester, a very dull fool…” this shows off Beatrice’s use of sarcasm and how Shakespeare uses this character to voice what most are thinking of the male characters, Shakespeare has made Beatrice a very out-spoken character, with the confidence to order the more powerful male characters - “…speak, count, ‘tis you cue…”
In Shakespeare’s play, “Much Ado About Nothing” there are three central themes; Love, Conflict and the Battle Of The Sexes.
Beatrice’s relationship with Benedick relates to all three of these themes…
Beatrice says she’ll never fall in love, “…till God make man of some other metal than earth…” but she is always eager to help make another couple fall in love, so clearly believes in the emotion. Ironically she finally becomes a main character in the main love story of the play.
Beatrice is one of the main causes of conflict between Claudio and Benedick, her order of “…kill Claudio…” causing a conflict between Claudio and Benedick and also herself and Benedick. Beatrice is willing to sacrifice her love to see her cousin, Hero, treated rightly and to stand by her cousin.
Shakespeare was very close to Queen Elizabeth and many people say the Queen and Shakespeare’s main character (Beatrice) in “Much Ado About Nothing” have many similarities, such as; both were witty, Queen Elizabeth often wrote witty poetry, especially sonnets. Queen Elizabeth was also determined to never marry but, unlike Beatrice, she never did.
Most people can relate to Shakespeare’s play “Much Ado About Nothing” as almost everyone has gone back on a decision that they had so confidently made in the past.
