Much Ado About Nothing

How different do you find Shakespeare’s presentation of the pairs of lovers in Much Ado About Nothing? Answer with particular reference to Act 2 Scene 1 and Act 4 scene 1.

INTRODUCTION

Shakespeare’s presentation of the pairs of lovers in Much Ado about Nothing is one that changes pretentiously. Claudio’s love for Hero appears romantic but there are many indications to show that his feelings are based on possession and lust. The resentment and magnetism between Beatrice and Benedick produces unusual images and lots of thought provoking wit. Much Ado about Nothing investigates true love, however less idealistically than comedies in which misapprehension equips love with a power of overwhelming mystery. Its romantic lovers, Hero and Claudio, Beatrice and Benedick are flawed and lack charm, yet they are compelling and mysterious.

(Claudio and Hero’s relationship) p1

Hero’s beauty strike’s Claudio and he is instantly attracted to her from the beginning. The quote ‘is she not a modest lady?’ shows that Claudio loves Hero because she is a virgin. Claudio just wants to marry Hero to fulfil his sexual fantasy, he likes the idea of Hero and him but he doesn’t in reality love her for who she is. Claudio transforms from adoring and typical loner to full of pride and venom. He abuses Hero and refuses to hear her side of the story; the quote ‘if there be any impediment, I pray you discover it’ shows that Claudio really does believe that Hero is disloyal; it also shows that Claudio cares only of himself. He enjoys the process of bringing Hero down and is worried about his own nobility and so he ruins Hero’s. Elements of Don John can be seen in Claudio. When Hero hears of her treachery, she is taken aback and confused. Her great asset, chastity, is affected. At the Altar she faints, showing that she is weak, it also shows her femininity. Hero’s shyness is a sign both of innocence and the value of her relative youth, beauty, wealth and social position. Hero’s innocence is emphasised before the wedding when she says to Margaret ‘my heart is exceeding heavy’ this quote shows that she protests at the prospect of losing her virginity. Hero throughout the play is seen as ‘silent’ at least in front of men and also one to go with whatever happens. The quote , ‘Can the world buy such a jewel?’ could show that Claudio is just trying to make a good impression in front of others, so they think he is madly in love with Hero. However Claudio really could love Hero for who she is, even though he hardly knows her.

(Benedick and Beatrice’s relationship) p2

Benedick’s character in Much Ado about Nothing changes quite rapidly. Benedick’s love for Beatrice isn’t always clear. In fact during the play, his love for Beatrice changes quite frequently. In Act 2.3 Benedick’s friends Claudio, Leonato and Don Pedro decide to play a trick on Benedick; the trick is to make Benedick and Beatrice fall in love. Before Benedick overhears his friends talking about Beatrice’s so called love for him, he tells himself that he wants to avoid marriage; he also refers to Beatrice as a ‘harpy’ meaning

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