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 feelingsare 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 lackcharm, 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 forwho 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 ownnobility 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 isemphasised 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 ofothers, 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’sfriends 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 beautiful face, vicious personality; he also says ‘her breath is lethal’ meaning thewords she speaks really hurt people. However after hearing Claudio, Leonato and Don Pedro discussing Beatrice’s love for him, Benedick’s view of Beatrice quickly changes. The quote ‘I did never think that lady would have loved any man’ said by Claudio makes Benedick feel special. Beatrice appears vulnerable to Benedick and this is endearing to him. Previous insults that Beatrice has aimed atBenedick transform in his mind to expressions of love. The quote ‘this can be no trick’ shows that Benedick wants to believe what his friends have said is true. His love for Beatrice also shows when he says ‘for I will be horribly in love with her’. Benedick after hearing everything is now determined to win Beatrice. Benedick starts seeing double meanings in Beatrice’s insults, this shows when...