Essay on Compare and Contrast Claudio and Benedick

Jamila Aberle Tim Fairbairn Shakespeare: Then and Now Compare and Contrast: Claudio and Benedick Shakespeare’s comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, is a play that follows a small group of friends from a high-class society in Massina. Two of this group are friends are Claudio and Benedick. In the beginning of the play they are seemingly similar, in that they both are of an upper-class upbringing and do their best to maintain their social reputation. The characters are made as to enhance their differences by the end of the play; they are foils to one another. Both Benedick and Claudio find themselves fooled by other characters in the play and have to decide what they are willing to believe is true and what is false, furthermore both†¦show more content†¦Benedick is also concerned is his public image. He considers himself a ladies’ man of sorts and does not want to be tied down by any woman and would rather die than be wed because he does not trust women. That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that she brought me up, I likewise give her most humble thanks. But that I will have a recheat winded in my forehead, or hang my bugle in an invisible baldrick, all women shall pardon me. Because I will not do them the wrong to mistrust any, I will do myself the right to trust none; and the fine is, for the which I may go the finer, I will live a bachelor. (Much Ado About Nothing 1.1.229-237) As if that did not make his point, Benedick goes on to say that he would prefer then to be bound by holy matrimony. He tells his friends that if he ever does anything so ridiculous as to fall in love that as his friends they should shoot him for his follies. â€Å"If I do, hang me in a bottle like a cat and shoot at me; and he that hits me, let him be clapped on the shoulder, and called Adam.† (Much Ado About Nothing 1.1.248-250) Because at this time Benedick truly believes that love is the worst fait for any man. In his attempts to find public acce ptance, Claudio proves to be easily fooled into believing anything he is told despite obvious lack of proof of what he is beingShow MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeare s Much Ado About Nothing1608 Words   |  7 Pagesplay, Much Ado about Nothing, many contrasting views on the subject of love are dramatised in the relationships presented, particularly those of Benedick and Beatrice, and Claudio and Hero. These views help to shape the play into a comedy, due to the severe differences. Benedick s slightly misogynistic views of love at the start of the play contrast heavily with his views by the end, as they change so drastically. He claims, in Act 1 Scene 1, that he is loved by all ladies, yet he loves noneRead MoreExplore and compare the romantic relationships in the play; Beatrice and Benedick, Claudio and Hero1555 Words   |  7 Pages Explore and compare the romantic relationships in the play; Beatrice and Benedick, Claudio and Hero The theme of love is the fundamental premise in this play. Shakespeare has shrewdly created two relationships intertwining and unfolding throughout the play that contrast with each other dramatically and comically. The story of Beatrice and Benedick takes centre stage in the play and because of there witty and extroverted personalities we immediately warm towards themRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Much Ado About Nothing1550 Words   |  7 Pagesdepending on which character or relationship one focuses on. Benedick and Beatrice show their love for each other like a school boy, who picks on his crush to show he likes her. In contrast, Hero and Claudio’s relationship is much more innocent and simple. Shakespeare shows the themes of love, the difference between appearance and reality, and deception, through Hero, Claudio, Beatrice, and Benedick and their relationships with each other. Benedick and Beatrice have a constant battle of wits with each otherRead MoreExplore the Way Shakespeare Present Strong Feelings in His Play, Much Ado About Nothing.1553 Words   |  7 Pagesconnected town, soldiers returning from war and lovers. Taking one aspect of this, the lovers, I pick out one male role in particular, Benedick. Who appears seamlessly cynical in his attitude towards love and this is shown in the way he refers to and speaks of his, at this point in Act 1 - Scene 1 unknown, lover. Beatrice. Throughout the play Beatrice and Benedick engage in ‘witty banter’, while Shakespeare makes it clear to the audience how well-suited they are. Nevertheless, it is only at the veryRead MoreHow Is the Relationship between Benedick and Beatrice Presented in Shakespeare’s Play and One or More Performed Versions?1431 Words   |  6 PagesMuch Ado About Nothing presents a picturesque love story between two characters that meet us as individuals full of hate, and leave us as an inseparable pair. These two characters are Benedick and Beatrice and act to us as sweethearts who have fallen deeply and passionately IN love in a way that we would all fantasize over- slowly, and then all at once. Their relationship in Shakespeare’s play has been presented through their matching characteristics, the way they speak and the way the language hasRead MoreDiscuss the Differences Between Beatrice and Hero in the Early Scenes of the Play1226 Words   |  5 Pagespresent the characters of Hero and Beatrice in a way that lets the audience easily compare and contrast them. For example, in the characterisation of Hero and Beatrice, the dialogue used Ââ€" what they say, how they say it, what other characters say about them and Heros silence are all very important in revealing their characters; in a similar way, their actions Ââ€" what the characters do, and their inaction contrasts and creates significant difference between them, bringing each ones pe rsonality. InRead More Differences between Beatrice and Hero in Much Ado about Nothing1203 Words   |  5 Pagespresent the characters of Hero and Beatrice in a way that lets the audience easily compare and contrast them. For example, in the characterisation of Hero and Beatrice, the dialogue used – what they say, how they say it, what other characters say about them and Hero’s silence are all very important in revealing their characters; in a similar way, their actions – what the characters do, and their inaction contrasts and creates significant difference between them, bringing each one’s personality. InRead MoreComparing Act 2 Scene 3 and Act 3 Scene 1 of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare876 Words   |  4 PagesComparing Act 2 Scene 3 and Act 3 Scene 1 of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare In Act 2 Scene 3 and Act 3 Scene 1 Beatrice and Benedick are both separately being tricked into falling in love with each other by their friends. To compare the two scenes we must first consider the symmetry between them; the initial thing we notice as an audience is that all of the characters in Act 2 Scene 3 are male, and that all of the characters in Act 3 Scene 1 are female; thisRead MoreThe Presentation of the Relationship Between Beatrice and Benedick in Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing1942 Words   |  8 PagesThe Presentation of the Relationship Between Beatrice and Benedick in Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing Beatrice is the niece of Leonato, a wealthy governor of Messina. She is feisty, cynical, sharp and witty. Benedick has recently returned from fighting in the wars. He is also witty, and like Beatrice is always making jokes and puns. They both continue a ‘merry war’ against each other, in which Beatrice often wins the battles. ‘They never met but there’s a skirmish ofRead MoreEssay on Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare2442 Words   |  10 PagesMuch Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare Much Ado About Nothing in fact has a great deal to say about love and marriage. What is Shakespeare trying to tell us about relationships between men and women? Compare the plays treatment of love with that in Silas Marner In Much Ado About Nothing there are many different forms of love and relationships that range from youthful infatuation to parental love. Shakespeare makes many comments about men and women and