Beatrice and Benedick Attitude Towards Love

Benedick and Beatrice’s initial attitude toward love was that they did not believe in it this is shown in Benedicks quote – “Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certain I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted; and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart, for truly I love none. ” And Beatrice’s quote – “A dear happiness to women! They would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor.

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. ” Beatrice talks about Benedick, and she is saying that she would not bear the thought of marrying a man with a beard on his face, for example Benedick. After being insulted many times by Beatrice, Benedick feels hurt and compares her words as a sharp blade that puts him down. “She speaks poniards and every word stabs. Shakespeare could be showing how Benedick admires Beatrice’s wit and quick tongue as this clearly shows how far below Benedick is from her discerningly.

Benedick’s respect for Beatrice at first is clouded by dread and confusion. “He were an excellent man that were made just in mid-way between him and Benedick. ” Shakespeare could be suggesting that Beatrice is still carried away by Benedick because she really cannot stop talking about him, she is always commenting about what he says, what he looks like or what his feelings are.