love in much ado about nothing essay

A Summary and Analysis of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

Much Ado about Nothing is one of Shakespeare’s finest and best-loved comedies. With the battle of wits between Beatrice and Benedick and the plot involving young lovers Claudio and Hero, the play touches upon sexual jealousy, trust, and the importance of separating illusion from reality, among other prominent themes. Before we offer some words of analysis of Much Ado about Nothing , it might be worth briefly recapping the plot of the play.

Much Ado about Nothing : plot summary

At the centre of Much Ado about Nothing are two couples: Beatrice and Benedick and their friends, Hero and Claudio. The play takes place in Messina on the Italian island of Sicily.

Don Pedro has defeated his evil brother Don John in battle, but has allowed him to live and has pardoned him. However, Don John is jealous of his brother and his brother’s friends and followers, and seeks to cause trouble. The play opens with Don Pedro being welcomed to Messina by Leonato, the governor of Sicily.

Claudio, a young friend of Don Pedro, takes a shine to a beautiful young woman, Hero. Don Pedro woos Hero for Claudio, and Claudio and Hero arrange to be married. Don John sets about trying to drive division between the happy couple.

While Claudio and Hero are finding love, Claudio’s friend Benedick and Hero’s friend Beatrice are engaged in a battle of wits, insulting each other in public and trying to give the impression that they cannot stand each other. However, their friends see through this and realise – even if Beatrice and Benedick aren’t fully aware of it themselves – that they are only pretending to hate each other because, deep down, they fancy each other.

At a masked ball, Don Pedro, Claudio, and Hero therefore decide to trick Beatrice and Benedick into falling for each other. Meanwhile, Don John hatches a plan to drive a wedge between Claudio and Hero. He gets his henchman Borachio to woo Hero’s gentlewoman, Margaret, on hero’s balcony, with Margaret made up to look like Hero. Don John then makes sure that Claudio witnesses this, so the young lover is convinced his wife-to-be is unfaithful.

At Claudio and Hero’s wedding, Claudio denounces his bride as unfaithful, and she faints in shock at being (falsely) accused. Leonato tells everyone to pretend that Hero is dead. Benedick, having been gulled by his friends into thinking Beatrice secretly loves him, declares his love for her, and she reciprocates. But she tells him to prove his love by killing Claudio, for what he has done to her friend, Hero.

Meanwhile, Borachio’s big mouth gets him into trouble: the local constable of the night watch, Dogberry (whose speech is marked by comical malapropisms), overhears him boasting about Don John’s scheme and arrests him. Dogberry and his sidekick, Verges, reveal Borachio’s – and, by association, Don John’s – guilt, just after Benedick has challenged Claudio to a duel.

Claudio, realising he unjustly denounced the innocent Hero, agrees, as penance, to marry Leonato’s niece (whom conveniently no one has seen before). When she is brought out for the wedding, she is revealed to be Hero, alive and well. They marry, everyone celebrates, Don John is punished, and Beatrice and Benedick appear to be finally overcoming their verbal chafing and will get together.

Much Ado about Nothing : analysis

Let’s begin with the title of Shakespeare’s comedy: Much Ado about Nothing . It’s well-known that ‘nothing’ was Elizabethan slang for the female genitals, so Shakespeare’s title is, on one level, a bawdy pun: the whole play is a load of fuss over sex.

This is certainly true of many Shakespeare comedies, where lust and love uneasily coexist: Claudio’s attraction to Hero is a result of her beauty, rather than anything deeper, and as soon as he suspects her virginity is non-existent (or has been reduced to ‘nothing’) – a suspicion he is suspiciously quick to adopt – he denounces her vehemently in public at what should have been their wedding.

By contrast, Benedick (his own name can perhaps be translated into another dirty pun, i.e. ‘well-dicked’ or well-endowed?) actively seeks to de- sex or unsex Beatrice as a woman, showing how plot and subplot work together, as Shakespeare uses the second, and secondary, romantic couple to offset but also complement the qualities found in the primary couple of Claudio and Hero.

There’s a paradox at work here, though, for in doing his best to undermine Beatrice’s eligibility as wife material, he is actually, unbeknownst to himself (or perhaps only partly beknownst), highlighting or even elevating her suitability as a mate for himself. Her ability to keep up with his witty putdowns confirms that she is easily a match for him, not only as a verbal sparring partner but as a partner in the broader romantic sense.

People don’t go and see revivals of Much Ado about Nothing for Claudio and Hero, but for Beatrice and Benedick and their flyting-as-flirting.

Indeed, the title Much Ado about Nothing is also thought to hide another pun, on the word ‘noting’, which referred to the sort of banter or repartee which Beatrice and Benedick engage in.

Whilst we’re delving into the wordplay and verbal significance of titles and names, it’s worth mentioning that ‘Benedick’ also summons benediction or blessing, while ‘Beatrice’ means ‘blessed’, showing that the two are etymologically as well as literally made for each other. Although since ‘Beatrice’ is sometimes taken to mean ‘one who makes [somebody] blessed’, we might ask, of the two of them, who is the benefactor and who is the beneficiary?

One final twist on that multifaceted, multi-punning title, Much Ado about Nothing . ‘Noting’ also referred to overhearing and ‘noting’ something down, and obviously this is of significance to Shakespeare’s play in several ways.

First, Don John’s malevolent plot hinges on Claudio being made to overhear or witness ‘Hero’ (really Margaret) flirting with another man; second, Don Pedro, Claudio, and Hero’s (much more benevolent) plot to convince Beatrice and Benedick together turns on the two of them being made to overhear the three friends talking about how the other one secretly loves them: so Benedick overhears his friends talking about how much Beatrice admires him, and vice versa.

Third, Borachio is ‘noted’ or overheard bragging about his part in bringing to fruition Don John’s plot, and Dogberry’s subsequent ‘noting’ of the events and clearing up of the mystery.

Much Ado about Nothing is one of Shakespeare’s more straightforward comedies, in which the plot is simple but the fun is to be had in the skirmishes of wit between the secondary couple, who are far more interesting than the play’s nominal hero (no pun intended) and heroine. It’s hardly surprising that, for many readers and theatregoers, its unofficial alternative title is ‘the Beatrice and Benedick show’.

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Much Ado About Nothing

(L-R) Billy Finn, Rachel Leslie, Roxi Victorian, and Aakhu TuahNera Freeman in Much Ado About Nothing .

Introduction to the play

One of Shakespeare’s most frequently performed comedies, Much Ado About Nothing includes two quite different stories of romantic love. Hero and Claudio fall in love almost at first sight, but an outsider, Don John, strikes out at their happiness. Beatrice and Benedick are kept apart by pride and mutual antagonism until others decide to play Cupid.

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Essays and resources from The Folger Shakespeare

Learn more about the play, its language, and its history from the experts behind our edition.

About Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing An introduction to the plot, themes, and characters in the play

Reading Shakespeare’s Language A guide for understanding Shakespeare’s words, sentences, and wordplay

An Introduction to This Text A description of the publishing history of the play and our editors’ approach to this edition

Textual Notes A record of the variants in the early printings of this text

A Modern Perspective An essay by Gail Kern Paster

Further Reading Suggestions from our experts on where to learn more

Shakespeare and his world

Learn more about Shakespeare, his theater, and his plays from the experts behind our editions.

Shakespeare’s Life An essay about Shakespeare and the time in which he lived

Shakespeare’s Theater An essay about what theaters were like during Shakespeare’s career

The Publication of Shakespeare’s Plays An essay about how Shakespeare’s plays were published

Four things to look for when you watch Much Ado About Nothing

If you’re seeing “Much Ado About Nothing” for the first time, or the hundredth time, what should you look for?

ENCORES: 'Much Ado About Nothing' performed by Folger Theatre (2009)

Folger Public Programs is pleased to present ENCORES. Enjoy a selection from Folger Theatre’s 2009 production of ‘Much Ado About Nothing.’

Kenny Leon on Much Ado About Nothing

Shakespeare Unlimited: Episode 133 Director Kenny Leon’s production of Much Ado About Nothing mesmerized audiences during the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park last summer. Now, you can watch this exuberant, sassy, and political performance, starring Orange is the New Black’s…

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Choral Reading: Much Ado About Nothing 1.1

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Paired Texts: Ma Rainey from Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Beatrice of Much Ado About Nothing

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Introducing Much Ado About Nothing with 2-Line Scenes

Promptbook: the wedding scene of much ado about nothing 4.1, juicy lesson paired texts: ma rainey’s black bottom and beatrice from much ado about nothing 2.1, early printed texts.

Much Ado About Nothing was first published in 1600 as a quarto (Q1) and then included in the 1623 First Folio (F1). There is little difference between the dialogue of the two texts, although Q1’s stage directions and speech prefixes are often more confusing than those in F1. The Folger Shakespeare edition is based on Q1, with changes to the text indicated in half-brackets.

Title page of Much Ado About Nothing in the First Quarto

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83 Much Ado About Nothing Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best much ado about nothing topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 most interesting much ado about nothing topics to write about, 👍 good research topics about much ado about nothing, ❓ much ado about nothing essay questions.

Much Ado About Nothing By focusing on relationships, the author of the play highlights the impact of deception to unity, love and happiness. Due to the constant practice of deceit among the characters, Claudio believes that Don Pedro is […]
Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare Claudio is desperate and agrees to marry a woman who is supposed to look like Hero and is the daughter of Leonato’s brother. Hero and Claudio’s storyline is also dedicated to the theme of love.
The “Much Ado About Nothing” Play by W. Shakespeare The high school is home to two pairs of young lovers: Roberto and Gianna, the star athlete and the head cheerleader, and Sofia and Angelo, the school’s resident gossip and her sidekick.
‘Much Ado About Nothing’: Self-Awareness and Respect in Relationships However, in the drama of that period, there is a noticeable discrepancy between the frequency of jokes and the rarity of adultery.
A Minor Character in “Much Ado About Nothing” by Shakespeare The first couple is Claudio, a lord and close friend of Prince of Aragon Don Pedro, and Hero, daughter of Leonato, governor of Messina. Don John, the brother of Don Pedro, plays a prominent role […]
Shakespeare’s Use of Multiple Plot Lines in Much Ado About Nothing The final trial of their love is when Benedick and Beatrice have to confess in public that they have fallen in love and buried their long-standing hatred.
True Comedy: Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” One of the features of comedy of identity is the existent of a plot that is based on dialogue and not actions.
“Much Ado About Nothing” the Film by Kenneth Branagh Benedick is an in depth character and he plays a key role in the movie in a variety of ways. Benedick was unmasked when he overheard Leonato, Don Pedro and Claudio in the garden talking […]
“Much Ado About Nothing” and “The Book of Ruth” The difference between the two women appears to be that while Ruth is an active maker and creator of her destiny, Hero more passively suffers her misfortunes and allows other people to devise schemes that […]
“Much Ado About Nothing” by William Shakespeare In the comedy, a woman was falsely accused of infidelity, and the role of the “unfaithful woman” was represented by Hero.
The Themes of Appearance Versus True Love in William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”
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1. Shakespeare ( AQA GCSE English Literature )

Revision note, much ado about nothing: overview.

The Much Ado About Nothing question is part of Paper 1, Section A of your GCSE. For this, you are required to write one essay-length answer to one set question. This can seem daunting at first, but this page contains some helpful information and links to more detailed revision note pages that will enable you to aim for the highest grade. This page includes:

A summary of Much Ado About Nothing
A brief overview of what is required in the exam

Much Ado About Nothing characters

Much Ado About Nothing context

Much Ado About Nothing themes

Much Ado About Nothing quotes

Top tips for the highest grade

Much Ado About Nothing summary

Much Ado About Nothing is a romantic comedy written by Shakespeare in the late 1590s. It deals with love, deception and mistaken identity.

Returning from battle, Don Pedro arrives at the house of Leonato with his men, including Claudio and Benedick. Claudio falls in love with Hero, Leonato’s daughter, and their marriage is agreed upon.

Benedick and Hero’s cousin, Beatrice, both despise love and engage in witty banter with each other. The others plot to make them fall in love with each other. Don Pedro’s illegitimate brother, Don John, contrives with his servant, Borachio, to spoil Claudio and Hero’s wedding by arranging for Claudio and Don Pedro to witness Borachio seducing Hero’s maid Margaret at Hero’s bedroom window. Mistaking Margaret to be Hero, Claudio believes he has been betrayed.

Claudio rejects Hero at the altar, but Friar Francis is convinced of Hero’s innocence and persuades Leonato to pretend that Hero is dead in order to give them time to clear her name. The nightwatchmen overhear a drunken Borachio confessing to the deception and the plot is exposed. When he hears of Hero’s innocence, Claudio, believing her to be dead, promises to make amends by agreeing to marry a cousin of Hero’s in her place. At the wedding, the bride is unmasked to be Hero herself. She and Claudio are married, and Beatrice and Benedick also confess their love for each other and agree to marry.

For a more detailed summary, please see the Much Ado About Nothing: Plot Summary page.

How is Much Ado About Nothing assessed in the exam?

Your GCSE Paper 1 requires you to answer two questions in 1hr 45min. That means you have approximately 52 minutes to plan, write and check your Much Ado About Nothing essay
Paper 1 is worth 64 marks and accounts for 40% of your overall GCSE grade
The Much Ado About Nothing essay is worth 34 marks in total, because it also includes 4 marks for AO4 (spelling, punctuation and grammar)
The Much Ado About Nothing question is in Section A of Paper 1 and you are required to answer the one available question on the play
Your question will also include a printed extract of about 25 lines from the play
It is a closed-book exam, which means you will not have access to a copy of the text (other than the printed extract) in your exam
The question will require you to analyse and write in detail about an aspect of Much Ado About Nothing
Your answer will need to address both the extract from the play that you will be given, and the play as a whole

For a much more detailed guide on answering the Much Ado About Nothing question, please see our revision notes on How to Answer the Shakespeare Essay Question .

The characters you should focus on when revising Much Ado About Nothing are:

When considering a Shakespeare play or any other text, it is crucial to remember that characters are intentionally crafted by the writer to serve a specific purpose. In many cases, these characters embody certain concepts or beliefs, and the writer, such as Shakespeare, uses them to reflect on and examine these ideas. For more details on how Shakespeare uses his characters in Much Ado About Nothing, please see the Much Ado About Nothing: Characters revision notes page. [insert link]

Understanding what context actually is can be tricky at GCSE. Examiners understand context not as historical information or biographical facts about a writer, but as the ideas and perspectives explored by a writer through their text. Therefore, the Much Ado About Nothing context you should explore in your essay response is not information about Messina, or facts about William Shakespeare, but ideas about:

Gender Roles
Honour and Virtue
Harmony and Discord

Lots of these ideas and perspectives are universal, so your own opinions of them are valid and will be rewarded in an exam. For a detailed breakdown of the contextual topics listed above, see the Much Ado About Nothing: Context page

Understanding the themes that Shakespeare explores in Much Ado About Nothing is one of the best approaches any student can take when revising the play. This is because to get the highest mark on your exam, you need to take what examiners call a “conceptualised approach”: a detailed and perceptive exploration of Shakespeare’s ideas and intentions. The main themes explored by Shakespeare in Much Ado About Nothing are:

Gender Roles and Attitudes

Shakespeare explores numerous other themes in Much Ado About Nothing beyond those mentioned above and you are encouraged to examine these themes as well. However, the above list makes a great place to start and detailed breakdowns of each of these themes can be found on the Much Ado About Nothing: Themes page

Although you are given credit for including quotations from Much Ado About Nothing in your answer, it is not a requirement of the exam. In fact, examiners say that “references” to the rest of the play are just as valid as direct quotations: this is when students pinpoint individual moments in the play, rather than quoting what the characters say. In order to select references really successfully, it is extremely important that you know the play itself very well, including the order of the events that take place in the play. This detailed act-by-act breakdown [insert link] of the plot will help you to revise the chronology of Much Ado About Nothing.

However, it can also be useful to revise a few – very well selected – quotations from the play that can be used in a variety of essays on different themes and characters. Luckily, we have made that selection for you! For a ‘translation’ and detailed analysis of each of these quotations, see the Much Ado About Nothing: Key Quotations page.

Top Tips for the Highest Grade

Please see our revision pages on the Shakespeare exam for guides on:

Structuring the Much Ado About Nothing essay
Much Ado About Nothing methods and techniques
How to include context in the Much Ado About Nothing essay
Understanding the Much Ado About Nothing mark scheme
A Shakespeare model answer

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Plays — Much Ado About Nothing

Essays on Much Ado About Nothing

Prompt examples for "much ado about nothing" essays, deception and miscommunication.

Discuss the theme of deception and miscommunication in "Much Ado About Nothing." How do misunderstandings and false appearances drive the plot, and what are the consequences of these deceptions?

Love and Relationships

Analyze the various relationships and forms of love in the play. How do characters like Beatrice and Benedick, Hero and Claudio, and others experience and express love, and how do their relationships evolve?

Gender Roles and Stereotypes

Examine the portrayal of gender roles and stereotypes in "Much Ado About Nothing." How do characters conform to or challenge traditional gender norms, and what commentary does the play offer on gender dynamics?

Humor and Wit

Discuss the use of humor and wit in the play. How do characters employ clever wordplay, puns, and humor to engage and entertain the audience, and what is the significance of humor in the story?

Conflict and Resolution

Analyze the conflicts that arise in the play and how they are ultimately resolved. What role does forgiveness and reconciliation play in the resolution of misunderstandings and disputes?

Themes of Honor and Reputation

Explore the themes of honor and reputation in "Much Ado About Nothing." How do characters' actions and choices affect their social standing and reputation, and what does the play convey about the value placed on honor in society?

Conventional and Unconventional Relationships in Much Ado About Nothing

Benedick and beatrice relationship: a modern view, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

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Trickery and Deception in Much Ado About Nothing

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Interpretation of The Title in Much Ado About Nothing

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Exploring 'Subtext' in "The Crucible" and "Much Ado About Nothing"

Don pedro's character as a leading figure in much ado about nothing, homosociality in much ado about nothing and the merchant of venice, character portrayal of don john in much ado about nothing, tragic hero in much ado about nothing, the problem of male maturity in much ado about nothing, claudio as an unsympathetic character in much ado about nothing, the construction of heroines in shakespeare's comedy plays, born villain or made villain: bastardy theme in shakespeare's plays, don john's antithesis figure in much ado about nothing, love and marriage theme in shakespeare's comedies, deception: exploring its role in "much ado about nothing", honor and gender roles in much ado about nothing, gender roles in much ado about nothing.

1598-1599, William Shakespeare

The play revolves around two romantic pairings that emerge when a group of soldiers arrive in the town. The first, between Claudio and Hero, is nearly altered by the accusations of the villain, Don John. The second romance, between Claudio's friend Benedick and Hero's cousin Beatrice, takes centre stage as the play goes on, with both characters' wit and banter providing much of the humour. Through "noting" (sounding like "nothing", and meaning gossip, rumour, overhearing), Benedick and Beatrice are tricked into confessing their love for each other, and Claudio is tricked into believing that Hero is not a maiden (virgin).

The play takes an ancient theme — that of a woman falsely accused of unfaithfulness — to brilliant comedic heights. Other important themes include gender roles, infidelity, deception, masks and mistaken identity, "nothing",

Benedick, Beatrice, Don Pedro, Don John, Claudio, Leonato, Antonio, Balthasar, Borachio, Conrade, Innogen, Hero, Margaret, Ursula, Dogberry, Verges, Friar Francis

Shakespeare used as his main source for the Claudio-Hero plot a story from Matteo Bandello’s Novelle (1554–73); he also may have consulted Ludovico Ariosto’s Orlando furioso and Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene. The Beatrice-Benedick plot is essentially Shakespeare’s own, though he must have had in mind his own story of wife taming in The Taming of the Shrew.

“I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow, than a man swear he loves me.” “Let me be that I am and seek not to alter me.” “Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps.” “For which of my bad parts didst thou first fall in love with me?”

1. Shakespeare, W. (2019). Much ado about nothing. In One-Hour Shakespeare (pp. 147-206). Routledge. (https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780429262630-9/much-ado-nothing-william-shakespeare) 2. Jorgensen, P. A. (1954). Much ado about nothing. Shakespeare Quarterly, 5(3), 287-295. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/2866334) 3. Straznicky, M. (1994). Shakespeare and the Government of Comedy:" Much Ado About Nothing". Shakespeare Studies, 22, 141. (https://www.proquest.com/docview/1297960936?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true) 4. Cairncross, A. S. (1976). Shakespeare and Ariosto: Much Ado About Nothing, King Lear, and Othello. Renaissance Quarterly, 29(2), 178-182. (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/renaissance-quarterly/article/abs/shakespeare-and-ariosto-much-ado-about-nothing-king-lear-and-othello/25484DAC0A82A83B0092952411F3A7AF) 5. Suzuki, M. (2016). Gender, Class, and the Ideology of Comic Form: Much Ado About Nothing and Twelfth Night. A Feminist Companion to Shakespeare, 137-161. (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781118501221.ch7) 6. Clegg, C. S. (2007). Truth, Lies, and the Law of Slander in Much Ado About Nothing. The Law in Shakespeare, 167-188. (https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/9780230626348_10) 7. Mueller, M. (1994). Shakespeare's Sleeping Beauties: The Sources of" Much Ado about Nothing" and the Play of Their Repetitions. Modern philology, 91(3), 288-311. (https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/392169?journalCode=mp) 8. Wright, N. E. (2006). Legal Interpretation of Defamation in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Ben Jonson Journal, 13(1), 93-108. (https://www.euppublishing.com/doi/abs/10.3366/bjj.2006.13.1.9?journalCode=bjj)

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Much Ado About Nothing

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A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

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Write a scene from Beatrice and Benedick’s backstory. What do you think happened between them the first time they fell in love? Draw evidence from their dialogue in Acts I and II to reconstruct their original love affair.

Don Pedro is an enigmatic figure. He is involved in the action of the plot, but also ends the play “sad” and alone. Imagine that you are playing the part of Don Pedro in a production of Much Ado About Nothing , and write an analysis of his character that explains his behavior. Why, for instance, does he offer to woo Hero for Claudio? How sincere is his proposal to Beatrice?

Why might Shakespeare have written Don John as such a broad, cartoonish villain? What purpose does his scheming serve, and how would the play work differently if he were a more rounded character? How does he compare to Borachio, who helps with his schemes but also feels guilt and regret?

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Much Ado About Nothing

How does Shakespeare represent love in 'Much Ado About Nothing'?

How does Shakespeare represent love in ‘Much Ado About Nothing’?

‘Much Ado About Nothing’ is a romantic comedy where the primary focus is marriage. There are three pairs of lovers. One is the idealised love of Hero and Claudio. Another is a love based on the exploration of each other’s character, Beatrice and Benedick. The last is the more earthy side of love, Margaret and Borachio, which is purely sexual.

In this essay I’m going to look at the relationship between Beatrice and Benedick, and Hero and Claudio.

Hero and Claudio represent an idealised love that was a widespread image of love in the early 1600’s. With Beatrice and Benedick we see a very different picture – a love/hate relationship.

While Claudio describes Hero as a “ jewel” Benedick refers to Beatrice as “ my dear Lady Disdain ”. As Claudio and Hero whisper sweet nothings to one another Beatrice and Benedick bicker incessantly. (Compare “ my cousin tells him in his ear that he is in her heart ” with “ if her breath were as terrible as her terminations, there were no living near her. ”)

Beatrice and Benedick are presented as equals in ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ and seem destined to be together sooner or later. They are very alike and both have similar attitudes towards love by neither ever wanting to marry.

Beatrice says, “ I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow, than a man swear he loves me .”

Benedick says “ and I would I could find my heart that I had not a hard heart, for truly I love none. ” This could be because of an earlier romantic attachment that neither wants to move on from.

They show an intriguing fascination with each other. In the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of the play they were never both on stage without some kind of intense exchange of words.

Their relationship is an utter contrast to Hero and Claudio’s.

Beatrice’s first line in the play is asking whether Benedick has “ return’d from the wars or no?” This shows the audience straightaway that Beatrice has some sort of interest in Benedick.

Beatrice seems to loathe and despise Benedick as the quote “ Scratching could not make it worse, and ‘twere such a face as yours were ” shows. Her feelings seem very powerful – stronger than the “ merry war ” Leonato speaks of.

The next time Beatrice and Benedick meet is at the masque. This was usual entertainment in Elizabethan times where guests would wear masks or visors to hide their identity. Benedick thinks Beatrice does not recognise him but she does and uses this opportunity to have another small dig at Benedick. This dents his pride and makes him angry. When Beatrice reappears he asks Don Pedro to “ command me any service to the world’s end… rather than hold three words’ conference with this harpy” showing he would go anywhere to get away. Would he still be this annoyed if he did not have feelings for Beatrice? This gives the audience more reason to link them together.

She then hints to Don Pedro that she and Benedick may have previously had a relationship by saying “ Indeed my Lord, he lent it me a while, and I gave him use for it, a double heart for his single one, marry once before he won it of me, with false dice, therefore your Grace may well say I have lost it. ” This confirms the idea that Beatrice and Benedick go back a long way and deep down still love with one another.

If you compare how she talks to Don Pedro with how she talks to Benedick you can see she considers herself and Benedick to be equal in superiority but secondary to Don Pedro.

Benedick is the character the audience warms to. Beatrice is highly spoken of by other characters and Don Pedro asks her to marry him but she turns him down. We imagine she probably has someone else in mind.

It is then Don Pedro’s idea to get Beatrice and Benedick together.

This is a preview of the whole essay

At the beginning of Act 2:3 Benedick makes a long speech about the changes in Claudio now he is in love. “ …will after he hath laugh’d at such shallow follies in others, become the argument of his own scorn, by falling in love, and such a man is Claudio. ” Ironically his speech fits Benedick himself quite well by the end of the play.

While Benedick listens to the plotters he tries to find proof in what they are saying and comes to the conclusion that if “ the white bearded fellow ” speaks it then it must be true. He seems much more eager for their words to be true rather than untrue and by the end of their plotting he has very quickly changed his opinion of Beatrice.

While Hero and Ursula plot to get Beatrice to love Benedick they also talk about how she is perceived by other people and want her to think about she can change herself and become less sharp. The majority of this scene is comic but the description of Beatrice’s character is genuine. Just as the men did, they talk about how Beatrice should see Benedick. “ How wise, how noble, young, how rarely featured. ”

Like Benedick, Beatrice also decides his love must be requited. She says this in blank verse showing it is an important speech that displays a yearning to love and be loved.

From this point in the play she becomes a far more serious character. She seems to have been more affected by Hero’s criticism of her character than Benedick is by what he hears, and her change seems to be sincere and genuine.

Benedick also changes in the next scene and becomes happy rather than aggressive. The others feign amazement at this change and tease him about being in love.

In her next scene Beatrice complains of a cold, just as Benedick did with toothache in his last scene, but the audience knows they are suffering in another way – love-sickness.

After Hero has been accused of being unfaithful and fainted Benedick takes Hero’s side along with Beatrice. Here they declare their love for one another in a conversation that is more serious than any they have had before. This is because of the mood of the scene but is also due to their new relationship. This is not a happy declaration though as they cannot be happy until Hero and Claudio are.

Benedick challenges Claudio for Beatrice showing he would do anything for her – even kill his best friend. I cannot imagine Claudio doing the same. Don Pedro and Claudio mock him about being in love but Benedick is prepared to be humiliated by his friends in order to marry. Now he is in love he has become more serious and mature.

The scene where Benedick tries to write a love sonnet contrasts sharply with the scene before. This also brings the welcome return of the sharp, witty Benedick. He finds it hard to fit the mould of the romantic, courtly lover like Claudio and compares himself with Claudio who finds it easy to woo and is frustrated that he cannot. “ I was not born under a rhyming planet, nor I cannot woo in festival terms. ” His incapability to make romantic commitments and gestures is commented on by himself and others throughout the play and Beatrice uses it against him on several occasions. This could be because he has hurt her in the past.

Beatrice and Benedick now return to their usual banter but the former bitterness is gone and the tone is warm and tender teasing. As their wit is such a connection between them, it seems logical they use it in their romance.

As usual Benedick asks Beatrice straight out with no flowery, romantic language “ Do you not love me? ”

The play is ended by Beatrice and Benedick being told of each others love by Hero and Claudio as in the start.

Claudio: “ And I’ll be sworn upon’t, that he loves her,

For here ‘s a paper written in his hand,

A halting sonnet of his own pure brain,

Fashioned to Beatrice.”

Hero: “ And here ‘s another,

Writ in my cousin’s hand, stol’n from her pocket,

Containing her affection unto Benedick. ”

After Benedick has told Beatrice of his love she says “ …I yield upon great persuasion, and partly to save your life, for I was told, you were in consumption. ” Benedick puts a stop to more of Beatrice’s wit by simply kissing her.

The other viewpoint on marriage and commitment in this play is Hero and Claudio. Jealousy, mistrust and love play major parts in their relationship. Claudio’s role is the courtly lover – the romantic hero of the play.

He is extremely interested in beauty and fitting in. He also needs people’s approval and reassurance before making a decision. He asks Benedick what he thinks of Hero and when Benedick gives him a joking answer he tells him to be serious. After Benedick has given a positive answer Claudio starts praising Hero. He is very concerned with his honour and how he appears.

He is quick to fall in love with Hero for her beauty before her personality. He describes Hero as a “ jewel ” showing he does not see her as a person but more as an object to be obtained and desired. He then asks Don Pedro “ Hath Leonato any son, my Lord? ” This would suggest that he is finding out whether she will inherit all of Leonato’s money. Don Pedro then replies “ No child but Hero ” and he immediately gives a speech in blank verse about how much he loves Hero. “ …how fair young Hero is. ” He seems to be genuine but could he just be shallow?

The fact Claudio says he is in love with Hero after only knowing her well for a very short amount of time suggests he may not be as sincere as he seems. The quotation “ But lest my liking might too sudden seem ” shows that he realises it could seem a little strange that he has fallen for a girl with a potentially large inheritance too quickly.

At the time Shakespeare was writing though, the idea of ‘love at first sight’ was increasingly popular (for example Romeo and Juliet fall in love at first sight) so the audience would not have found this strange.

The first of several misunderstandings takes place in Act 1.2 and although small, sets up the scene of confusion in the minds of the audience.

Leonato is honoured Don Pedro would consider Hero as a wife although this was overheard incorrectly by Antonio. He leaves to get Hero “ better prepared for an answer ” when the Prince approaches her. He is telling her that she should say yes.

This scene suggests Hero is weak and submissive and always does as her father says. Beatrice also implies this in Act 2.1 when she says “ Yes faith, it is my cousin’s duty to make curtsey and say, father, as it please you ”.

From Leonato’s quote above we can see that women had no authority and were given away to their husbands without a say in the situation. Marriage was very much like a business so Don Pedro’s offer to woo Hero for Claudio and Leonato’s reaction would have been accepted as normal behaviour.

At the masque we see the first of many hasty accusations from Claudio. When he is told by Don John that Don Pedro “ swore he would marry her tonight ” he instantly believes him without any evidence and is too quick to doubt his close friend.

This shows how untrusting and suspicious he is. He is also very quick to change his mind about the woman he claims to love by saying “ farewell therefore Hero ” even though she has done nothing wrong. This also shows he is too easily swayed. Don Pedro then tells Claudio that he is mistaken and Hero has been wooed in his name. Suddenly he is back in love with Hero now she is his and describes his happiness by saying “ silence is the perfectest herald of joy ”. This shows his emotions to be weak because he claims to be deeply in love with Hero but is quick to fall out of love.

The next time Claudio mentions the impending marriage is in Act 3.2. This is the point at which the atmosphere saddens giving the audience the idea that something bad is going to happen. Here, Don John tells Claudio and Don Pedro that Hero has been unfaithful. Claudio has no proof yet of this accusation and Don John is well known for his evil ways but he is still willing to put Hero to shame without considering what she has to say.

He says “ If I see anything tonight, why I should not marry her tomorrow in the congregation, where I should wed, there I will shame her. ” This speech seems a little pre-meditated, as do some other speeches mentioning Hero. Would someone such as Benedick, upon hearing their fiancée has not been virtuous and with no proof, forge a plan so soon after hearing it? I think not. I suspect Benedick would have investigated further as he seems more trusting than Claudio.

However, in Claudio’s defence Don Pedro was also deceived.

That night Claudio sees Margaret and Borachio at the chamber window but immediately assumes it is Hero. He leaves swearing he will “ meet as appointed next morning at the Temple, and there, before the whole congregation shame her. ” He shows himself to be hasty in taking revenge because he still does not try and talk to Hero.

His reaction to Hero’s apparent infidelity seems to be based around his sense of hurt pride and is more concerned about his reputation than the possible rejection from the woman he is supposed to love. He thinks love should be innocent and pure and is not prepared to accept anything else.

His behaviour at the wedding is very harsh because he thinks he has proof of Hero’s infidelity.

The majority of this scene is written in blank verse showing that it is an important scene. Claudio calls Hero a “ rotten orange ” and a “ wanton ”. He accuses her of knowing the “ heat of a luxurious bed ” but still does not ask for her side of the story!

It is interesting to see how quickly everyone believes his harsh words – even her own father who is probably devastated that she has done something to lower his status with Don Pedro. This is another example of a woman’s lack of power in society and Hero faints rather than defend herself.

Even after being told Hero had died of a broken heart Claudio still does not seem to feel guilty. In fact when Benedick arrives to challenge him he begins to make jokes. He describes Leonato and Antonio’s challenge by saying, “ We had like to have had out two noses snapp’d off with two old men without teeth. ” They do not seem to feel awkward staying in the house of a man whose daughter they have slandered and ‘killed’.

When Hero’s innocence is proved by a confession from Conrade and Borachio Claudio seems genuinely in remorse as we see in the quote ” I have drunk poison while he utter’d it ” but he denies he killed her. He will not accept responsibility for his actions.

As it is a romantic comedy Claudio must undergo a challenge so he will become more mature and worthy of Hero’s love.

It is quite surprising that Leonato is still willing to let Claudio marry Hero but he is highly spoken of by Don Pedro so would be a good son-in-law to have showing again that practical rather than romantic consideration ruled most marriages.

By Act 5.3 the ends are beginning to tie up. Claudio promises to commemorate the day Hero died every year. Could he now be grieving for her?

At the wedding where Claudio has promised to marry Hero’s cousin he still asks to see her face before marrying her but is told he “ shall not till you take her hand .” This shows that Claudio still cares very much about appearances.

When Hero is unveiled Claudio is overjoyed but is this because Hero is alive or because he will not have to feel guilty anymore? Hero says very little in this scene except to show Claudio he is forgiven. A modern audience can find this difficult to accept but marriage is the usual conclusion in romantic comedies.

Unlike Hero and Claudio, Beatrice and Benedick did not jump into their relationship as they had already known each other for a long time. Their relationship is based on the exploration of each others character partly due to their constant banter.

Claudio seems to have a suspicious nature and is quite shallow but I believe he does love Hero.

At the beginning of the play Hero and Claudio seem to fulfil the view of true love but by the end of the play Beatrice and Benedick’s love seems to be the most sincere.

Overall Beatrice and Benedick’s relationship seems to be more genuine and trusting that Hero and Claudio’s.

How does Shakespeare represent love in 'Much Ado About Nothing'?

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