Relationships Between Beatrice and Benedick and Hero and Claudio in “Much Ado About Nothing”

How does Shakespeare present the relationships between Beatrice and Benedick and Hero and Claudio in ‘Much Ado About Nothing’. How might a modern audience respond to the presentation of these relationships?

‘Much Ado About Nothing’ was first published in 1600, the Elizabethan era. The audience of 1600 would have had different interpretations of the relationships between Beatrice and Benedick and Hero and Claudio from what we have in the modern day. Benedick and Beatrice are used by the play write to create a sub plot. The audience can clearly see that the main and desired love is that of Claudio and Hero.

Beatrice and Benedick have been acquainted for a great length of time, and Beatrice swears that she will never be married, likewise Benedick clearly states that he will never fall in love the way Claudio did.

“Lord, I could not endure a husband with a beard on his face! I had rather lie in the woollen.”

Beatrice’s determination not to marry, allows the audience to see that she holds a mature awareness about marriage and knows that it carries many risks.

However, both of the two characters change their views about marriage once hearing others talk of their love for one another. Beatrice opens herself up and shows the hidden sensitivity within her character, allowing us to recognise that she is not the feisty, cynical woman that she was portrayed. Benedick on the other hand shows his interest and love for Beatrice in his change of appearance, he shaves his beard as Beatrice previously stated she could not marry a man with a beard. This is a symbol and declaration of his love for her and demonstrates to the audience that he will do anything in order to obtain her love and affection.

The relationship between Benedick and Beatrice was formed on the grounds of deception. They were both fooled into thinking that each of them loves the other, and actually do fall in love as a result of eavesdropping.

“Is’t possible? Sits the wind in that corner?”

Benedick is questioning what he has heard and wondering whether it could be possible that Beatrice is in love with him. This again illustrates the maturity in Benedick’s character and allows the audience to see that he is truly in love but cannot believe his luck.

Likewise, Beatrice hears Hero and Ursula talking of Benedick’s affection.

“To bind our loves up in a holy band.

For others to say thou dost deserve, and I

Believe it better than reportingly.”

Beatrice truly does believe and does not see it as a plot for them both to fall in love. A modern audience would see this as a positive change in her character and highlight her changed attitude towards marriage.

Shakespeare makes us realise that while both Beatrice and Benedick think that they are so different from each other, in fact they are more alike that they could ever imagine. The constant arguing and bickering is a true sign to the audience that they are in fact in love.

BENEDICK “Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher.”

BEATRICE “A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.”

Shakespeare cleverly uses prose to illustrate humour and tension between the two stubborn characters. In turn each of them are constantly competing to get one over on the other. This allows the modern audience to recognise that Beatrice is an example of Shakespeare’s strong and dominant female characters.

Further to Benedick’s declaration of love, he is asked by Beatrice to kill his closest friend, Claudio. He had humiliated her cousin Hero on their aborted wedding day. This again is a symbol of Beatrice’s dominance over Benedick. Hero could not defend herself as a woman, however Benedick can use the power of a man to challenge Claudio to a duel.

“Enough, I am engaged; I will challenge him. I will kiss your hand, and so I leave you.”

Shakespeare’s use of language can only allow the modern audience to see that Benedick has made a romantic and passionate commitment. It is at this point within the play that Benedick clearly switches his allegiance to Beatrice. It also illustrates that they would do anything for one another, even kill a best friend to prove their everlasting love.

The presentation of Benedick and Beatrice’s relationship allow the modern day audience to see that they are truly in love. Benedick is a truthful and sincere character and is prepared to lose everything he has ever worked for in order to prove his love. The play indicates that the two have previously been a couple and Beatrice wants Benedick to prove his love before she commits herself to him. The audience will get the sense that she dearly loves him but does not want to be disappointed again. In conclusion Shakespeare shows that their relationship is far more genuine than that of Hero and Claudio.

The second relationship demonstrated within the play, is that of Hero and Claudio. They had known each other a mere few days before confessing their love for each other.

When arriving early on in the play, one of the first questions asked by Claudio is,

” Hath Leonato any son my lord?”

This is the first thing asked about Hero and immediately questions Claudio’s true meaning behind his love for Hero. He feels that if he confines his love for Hero, they will be wed and once her father dies, they will inherit all of his wealth and good fortune. He may appear to some as being interested in Hero’s family, but he is simply being shallow. Once hearing Hero is the only child of Leonato he soon confesses his love for her and believes that it was love at first sight. One interpretation of this is, “In the Elizabethan Era love at first sight was quite common.” (J. Smith) This interpretation is quite true as shown in Shakespeare’s previous work, Romeo and Juliet. The main plot was based on two differentiated characters falling in love in result of convenience, similar to that of Hero and Claudio.

Claudio and Hero portray a strange relationship, as neither of them appears to be confident around each other. Claudio asks for the help of his good friend, Don Pedro to woo Hero at the party for him. A modern audience would interpret this as an act of shyness from Claudio and demonstrates his youth and immaturity. However, Shakespeare’s use Claudio’s characteristics contrast with the opinions of the Elizabethan audience and them of the modern day.

Don John, the brother of Don Pedro informs Claudio that his fianc�e has been behaving in an unchaste way. By doing this Don John hopes that Claudio will lose his place as Don Pedro’s favourite, as he could not be married to a loose woman.

“May this be so?”

The use of language allows the audience to see that Claudio is questioning what he has heard. However, he is soon to devise a plan of revenge for Hero. The fact that Claudio is so quick to believe the news gives the audience the impression that he is very full of social grace, as K.Wilson suggests that, “The marriage to a woman of unchaste behaviour is socially unacceptable.” This interpretation could have been said to be true to some extent in the Elizabethan Era. Where Claudio demonstrates his concern and worry of the thoughts of other people and also the maintenance of his high reputation. Woman of the modern day have more freedom and desire to do their own thing.

The plan to shame Hero on the wedding day will leave her scarred for life as, “The loss of honour was a form of annihilation.” (J. Smith) For a woman to lose her honour by having sexual relations before marriage meant that she would lose all social standing and poison Hero’s family.

“Hence from her, let her die”

Shakespeare uses the voice of Hero’s father to illustrate the meaning and importance in the maintenance of the family honour. Both characters speak of wanting Hero dead and can lead to no other conclusion that neither of them love her, illustrating that Claudio is not serious about the marriage but bothered about social grace.

Claudio behaves in a manner, which shows that he does not feel guilty despite,

“Murdering Hero”

He begins to make jokes and mock the situation. This type of behaviour was said to be acceptable in the Elizabethan period, but a modern audience would portray Claudio’s character as arrogant and selfish.

“We had like to have our two noses snapped off with two old men without teeth”

The modern audience would have high expectations to see the development of Claudio’s character. We would expect nothing more than him to be deeply upset and show some remorse instead of his light-hearted manner. This is another indication that the love between them was purely superficial and idealised.

However, all but Claudio had become convinced of Hero’s innocence and he is made to feel very guilty and shameful, paying a choir to sing at her tomb. Beatrice and Hero herself feel that they need to punish Claudio and let enough time pass in order to regain her honour. Both characters hope that despite the arrogance of Claudio, he would indeed realise and accept that he was wrong to believe the likes of Don John, over his fiance. The Elizabethan audience would agree with the actions of both Hero and Beatrice. However, the modern audience would feel that Claudio has been let off very lightly.

Furthermore, Antonio had promised to pretend that Hero is his daughter so Claudio will believe he is marrying Hero’s cousin.

“Another Hero!”

This illustrates how idealised their love is, Claudio feels he had been reunited with Hero and been given another chance to prove his love.

The presentation of Hero and Claudio’s relationship allow the audience to witness another kind of love, one that is popular, idealised and convenient. One can still see that the stronger and more genuine love is that between Benedick and Beatrice.