Much Ado About Nothing Relationship Analysis

One of the concepts Shakespeare explores in Much Ado About Nothing is that of the different natures of relationships. Throughout the play, Shakespeare sets up two distinct pairs of lovers, both exemplifying a different model of relationship. Shakespeare contrasts two ideals of relationships, one of which being a relationship of immediacy based on necessity and a need to fulfill social norms, and the other being a relationship that is based on genuine feelings of love that are cultivated slowly and thoughtfully over time. The conversation between Anthony, Leonato, Beatrice, and Hero in Act Two Scene One, regarding how Hero should respond to her impending proposal, contributes to this exploration of differing types of love by juxtaposing the nature of relationship that Anthony, Leonato, and Hero subscribe to with the differing ideal of relationship that Beatrice favors.
In this passage, Shakespeare employ’s Anthony and Leonato’s views on Hero’s eventual relationship with her suitor to examine a model of relationship in which necessity and social conformity are the fundamental motivations. Both Anthony and Leonato’s statements in this passage support this …show more content…
In this passage, Shakespeare juxtaposes the two types of relationships that he investigates throughout the rest of the play. The relationship Hero chooses is one of necessity, not founded on developed feelings of love and the only type of relationship Beatrice even considers is one based on love cultivated over time. Hero feels the need to marry to fulfill social expectations while Beatrice has no qualms with the prospect of remaining a maid forever. Shakespeare uses the differing views expressed in this passage to support his overall exploration of two distinct natures of