Merry War Betwixt Signior Benedick

¶ … merry war betwixt Signior Benedick and her. They never meet but there is a skirmish of wit between them" (1.1.58-61).

William Shakespeare's comic play Much Ado About Nothing portrays the funny, but also painful and violent adjustment that occurs when soldiers must socially reorient themselves to peacetime. The play begins with the career soldier Benedick's expressed displeasure at the fact that his younger friend Claudio has resolved to marry. "But I hope you have no intent to turn husband, have you?" he cries at Claudio (I.1). Don Pedro, Benedick's superior in the army says to his comrade: "Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in the despite of beauty" (I.1). Benedick mandates he will never be wed, and states that he dislikes women, except for the fact that one gave him birth. Yet one woman, Beatrice, commands his attention, if only because the pair frequently joust wits: "There is a kind of merry war betwixt Signior Benedick and her [Beatrice]. They never meet but there is a skirmish of wit between them" says Leonato, the father of Hero, Claudio's beloved (1.1.58-61).

This phrase partially explains why Benedick is able to relate to Beatrice, even though he swears he has no interest in women: he can 'war' with her, much as he makes war with men. Furthermore, Beatrice also says she also has no interest in marriage: "I thank God and my cold blood, I am of your humour for that: I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me" she says to Benedick (I.1). The play attempts to bring Beatrice and Benedick together to teach them about their mutual need for another person, and how to relate to one another in a more loving fashion than through the brittle dueling of wits.

No human being, the play suggests is an island. Men must be civilized by the socialization of women, particularly after fighting in war. 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, and is merely designed to enable the two to admit to their true feelings for one another. 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.