How Does Shakespeare Present Beatrice's Relationship In Much Ado About Nothing

The belief that in love opposites attract is challenged during Much Ado About Nothing I believe Shakespeare uses Benedict and Beatrice’s comic relationship as an example of why this statement is only applicable in some cases. Benedick and Beatrice have similar eccentric personalities and this is evidently shown throughout the play. From the start of the play it can be noticed that Beatrice and Benedick have history together and a spark which causes their eventual coming together through the marriage they would both often speak about in a disgusted tone. She is the first to mention Benedick in the text, which shows that she thinks about him, when she described him as “Signor Mountanto” which is an ironic nickname she has given him, however …show more content…
Shakespeare uses physical deception in this scene to bring Benedick and Beatrice closer. Benedick’s desire to know what Beatrice true feelings towards him is a clear sign of the love he has for her, yet does not show anybody including himself. He decides to learn Beatrice’s true opinion of him when he is masked, realising that she would never tell him if she knew who he was. However, Beatrice being as sharp as she is, is not deceived by the disguise and quickly realises who he is and continues their ‘merry war’, exposing her further delight in insulting him furthermore by stating, ‘He is the prince’s jester, a very dull fool’. Benedick’s private response to this, later on in the scene, is significant. Benedick expresses an unexpectedly strong reaction, declaring that Beatrice’s ‘every word stabs’ and feeling that she ‘misused me past the endurance of a block’. Benedick’s feeling of hurt and indignation could be interpreted as an unmistakable hint, and thus clearly reveals his true feelings towards Beatrice. The first real evidence of Benedick’s love for Beatrice is shown during his conversation with Claudio in which Benedick undermines Hero’s beauty in order to show Beatrice as the more beautiful of the pair comparing her hot temper to “The first of May” and her cold personality to “The last of …show more content…
The deception only works because the three men had the ability to make it very convincing. Benedick is certain that Leonato wouldn’t take part in deceiving him, he even says ‘I should think this a gull, but that the white-bearded fellow speaks it’. Leonato’s presence causes Benedick to be deceived. Don Pedro is the main force behind the gulling however : he is calm, thoughtful, wistful and therefore overall is very convincing. The three men place the idea of romance naturally into their conversation with a song about love and man’s inconstancy, to make sure they get Benedick's attention. They point out the faults in his personality: ‘the man…hath a contemptible spirit’, as they point out the virtues in hers: ‘she’s an excellent sweet lady’, which makes their decision not to tell him about Beatrice’s love even more credible. For Benedick to be able to admit the love he has for Beatrice, he needs to truly believe