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The surprise of the play, however, lies in the fact that it is not Benedick and Beatrice who have the greatest difficulties finding true love and communicating with one another. Although Claudio takes the posture of a traditional lover, because his feelings for Hero are based more upon an idealized conception of the 'fair sex' rather than reality, he is quick to believe that she has been unfaithful to him. In contrast, because Benedict and Beatrice have always been able to communicate with one another through verbal jousting and 'war,' they are able to form a mature and trusting relationship.
Interestingly, the romantic relationship between Beatrice and Benedict does begin as the result of a deception. Beatrice is told by her friends that Benedict is pining away for her, and Benedict is told the same by his comrades. However, this trick, unlike the one played upon Claudio by Don John, is not malicious,...
Even before this deception, the ability of the pair to joke about love speaks well of their ability to form a good match. Beatrice's ability to 'war' with Benedick with words gives her understanding of the world in which he lives.
'Warring' can create barriers between the sexes in Much Ado About Nothing and also create bonds. At the beginning of the play, because they have been soldiers together, the men feel a stronger sense of kinship and trust with men than they do with women, as evidenced by the fragility of Claudio's trust in Hero's chastity and his willingness to trust another man's word over her oath that she is chaste. But 'warring' with words enables Beatrice to enter Benedick's masculine world, just as his ability to speak eloquently and humorously enables him to enter her feminine world.
Dogberry in "Much Ado About Nothing" In "Much Ado About Nothing," Shakespeare presents a kind of drawing-room comedy, where people's efforts to demonstrate the social graces of the day create all sorts of problems. Beatrice has a sharp tongue but gets away with it because her words are formed in the style of the day. Her cousin Hero, however, is greatly harmed by other people's talk, with her character badly maligned.
Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, Claudio demonstrates an immature attitude toward love and romance. Claudio's initial attraction to Hero is based mostly on physical attraction; he seems to be only slightly interested in her financial status and is not concerned with Benedick's criticism of Leonato's daughter. Unlike Beatrice and Benedick, Claudio and Hero never get to develop a relationship based on respect and friendship. The romance between Claudio and
Gender Roles in Much Ado About Nothing and Trifles Today, gender roles have become far more flexible than as recently as 50 years ago. Women today can enter management positions, have focused careers, and expect salaries on the same level as those of men. Indeed, some women have proved themselves to be as competent, or more so, in leadership positions as men. At the same time, however, women are free to
Shakespeare's "Much Ado about Nothing" is a witty comedy. It subscribes to all the conventions of a Shakespeare comedy, being witty in language and plot. It also ends well for all who deserve it, and badly for all those who do not. In "Cressida and Troilus" however, both the plot and theme seem somewhat dark for a comedy. However, this play has been classified as one of Shakespeare's comedies.
I.16-17) the line however clearly describes the general behavior of the characters in the play, that "dare do" all kinds of things that provoke fate, without knowing what they do. Don Pedro's wooing of Hero to help Claudio is also significant, as Claudio does not actually needs his help so the offering is superfluous. Even Friar Francis who pretends Hero is dead endangers the happiness of the two, in spite of
Benedick pretended not to know who Benedick was but he was apparently unsuccessful since Beatrice insulted him by calling him 'the prince's jester' among many other insults. Benedick's conversations with Claudio and Don Pedro indicated that he had been very hurt by Beatrice's comments. This provided another clue to his real feelings for Beatrice and his reasons for trying to hide his true from her identity behind the mask.