Character foils and relations have a great impact on the meaning and structure of literature all around the world. The play “Much Ado About Nothing” by WIlliam Shakespeare, takes place in Messina, Italy where the characters are reunited after many of them being away in war. Throughout the book, each character is faced with a struggle they must overcome ranging from tragic events, broken relationships, to even internal conflicts. In the play, Shakespeare uses character foils as a way of enhancing and developing the plot of the story while illuminating the meaning of his work. In the play, Claudio and Benedick are foils of each other due to their opposing personalities, reactions, and morals. In “Much Ado About Nothing,” Claudio and Benedick
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Claudio is a very reactive character who doesn’t really go against what people order him to do. In the statement, “...If I see anything tonight...I will shame her,”(Shakespeare 50) Claudio believes Don John into thinking Hero has cheated on him without really confronting Hero or asking Don john for reliable evidence. Claudio is highly impacted by his surroundings and tends to believe many things people tell him, unlike Benedick who likes to question and find out things before he acts. Furthermore, Benedick is not as trusting as Claudio and likes to argue and confront other characters in the play. As stated in the text, Benedick proclaimed, “... but if ever the sensible Benedick bear it, pluck off the bull's horns,”(Shakespeare 9) showing how he, himself thinks he is sensible, and how he is not used to reacting in a broad way. Based upon Claudio and Benedick’s reactivity to situations, both characters act in different ways to situations, as Claudio takes events more serious, where as Benedick in strong minded and doesn't react in a serious manner. Both character’s reactions strengthens each other’s, as Claudio’s foolish and reactive character goes against and develops the sensible and wise character of …show more content…
In the story, Claudio is a very devoted and truthful individual, who believes in doing the right thing and staying true to his promises. As expressed in the play, Claudio stated, “Now, unto thy bones goodnight, yearly I will do this rite” (Shakespeare 97). Although Claudio thinks Hero is dead, he promises to stay true to himself and reads his epitaph in Hero’s honor, showing his strong,truthful moral embodied into the real world. As oppose, Benedick doesn’t care about doing the right thing, and in fact, tends to pick on Beatrice and lie throughout the play. As stated in the text, Benedick quoted, “...Come, I will have thee. But by this light, I take thee for pity” (Shakespeare 101). In the statement, Benedick is expressing how he will marry Beatrice out of the kindness of his heart and the pity in him rather than the true love he has for her. Although Benedick truly loves Beatrice, he is embarrassed to admit his love for Beatrice publically, unlike Claudio who is not afraid to confess his love for Hero at any moment because of his strong willed and ethical character. In addition, Benedick lies and deceives people many times throughout the play, which is strongly against Claudio’s truthful nature. Due to Claudio’s and Benedick’s opposing morals, Claudio’s ethical and honest beliefs foils and brings attention to the dishonest and insincere character of
Claudio is a very reactive character who doesn’t really go against what people order him to do. In the statement, “...If I see anything tonight...I will shame her,”(Shakespeare 50) Claudio believes Don John into thinking Hero has cheated on him without really confronting Hero or asking Don john for reliable evidence. Claudio is highly impacted by his surroundings and tends to believe many things people tell him, unlike Benedick who likes to question and find out things before he acts. Furthermore, Benedick is not as trusting as Claudio and likes to argue and confront other characters in the play. As stated in the text, Benedick proclaimed, “... but if ever the sensible Benedick bear it, pluck off the bull's horns,”(Shakespeare 9) showing how he, himself thinks he is sensible, and how he is not used to reacting in a broad way. Based upon Claudio and Benedick’s reactivity to situations, both characters act in different ways to situations, as Claudio takes events more serious, where as Benedick in strong minded and doesn't react in a serious manner. Both character’s reactions strengthens each other’s, as Claudio’s foolish and reactive character goes against and develops the sensible and wise character of …show more content…
In the story, Claudio is a very devoted and truthful individual, who believes in doing the right thing and staying true to his promises. As expressed in the play, Claudio stated, “Now, unto thy bones goodnight, yearly I will do this rite” (Shakespeare 97). Although Claudio thinks Hero is dead, he promises to stay true to himself and reads his epitaph in Hero’s honor, showing his strong,truthful moral embodied into the real world. As oppose, Benedick doesn’t care about doing the right thing, and in fact, tends to pick on Beatrice and lie throughout the play. As stated in the text, Benedick quoted, “...Come, I will have thee. But by this light, I take thee for pity” (Shakespeare 101). In the statement, Benedick is expressing how he will marry Beatrice out of the kindness of his heart and the pity in him rather than the true love he has for her. Although Benedick truly loves Beatrice, he is embarrassed to admit his love for Beatrice publically, unlike Claudio who is not afraid to confess his love for Hero at any moment because of his strong willed and ethical character. In addition, Benedick lies and deceives people many times throughout the play, which is strongly against Claudio’s truthful nature. Due to Claudio’s and Benedick’s opposing morals, Claudio’s ethical and honest beliefs foils and brings attention to the dishonest and insincere character of