Explores the character of two main characters in the play "Much Ado About Nothing", Beatrice and Benedick, and the changing nature of their relationship.
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 1 source, 2002, $ 44.95
Abstract One of the most engaging and entertaining comedic couples in any of the works of Shakespeare, is that of Beatrice and Benedick in "Much Ado About Nothing". Both Beatrice and Benedick are essences, they are the progenitors of the cliches of the woman-hater turned lover and the ice-queen turned golden-heart. Both of them experience a very similar sequence of events, both work with their respective tutee's in love in the same way, and both come to realize their love for each other through tricks played upon them by their own friends. In this, Benedick and Beatrice are really the true soul-mates of the story in that they truly seem to be of the same cloth and of the same heart - two halves of the same whole. Their change from enmity to love covers the course of the entire play and, in many ways, is much more engaging, funny, entertaining, and ultimately rewarding than that of Hero and Claudio. It is the purpose of this paper to explore that relationship as it changes over the course of the play, "Much Ado About Nothing".
Abstract The paper comments that strong, vibrant characters are one of William Shakespeare's trademarks and that he rarely makes any social commentary without proving a point. The paper highlights that in "Much Ado About Nothing," Shakespeare uses personal struggles to emphasize the danger of deceit as well as the discovery of self. The paper discusses how Shakespeare uses such struggles to bring unlikely individuals together. Beatrice and Benedick become major players in the game of love despite their indifference toward the subject. Their identities are connected to their marital status and because they are stubborn, they cannot see how they are compatible. The paper discusses how, through the techniques of characterization, plot, and narrative, "Much Ado About Nothing" becomes a play about self-identity.
From the Paper "The play's action leads each character down the road to self-identity. The plot revolves around love and the love story of Beatrice and Benedick is embedded in Claudio and Hero's story. Love is in the air, so to speak, and Claudio and Hero want these two lovers to finally admit their true feelings for each other. Deception drives the plot, however. Beatrice and Benedick are duped, this is true, but without deception, they would have never had the opportunity for love. The irony is that they would fall in love with each other. This irony makes love more enjoyable and, eventually, the couple is not afraid to admit this fact."
Abstract This essay is a critical review of the Pittsburgh Public Theater's performance of Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing". Many of the positive aspects are highlighted, such as the liveliness and fun of the ensemble and the lighting, atmosphere, music and dancing. At the same time the flaws of the play are also mentioned such as the relationship between Beatrice and Benedick.
From the Paper "Much Ado About Nothing" performed at the Pittsburgh Public Theater was a lively and entertaining performance of Shakespeare's play with this the main feature that stood out. Overall, all the aspects of the play worked together to make this a fun version. The one flaw that was apparent occurred in the relationship between Beatrice and Benedick, the pair never seeming to have enough chemistry together to pull off their relationship of trading insults.
Abstract This paper examines how the community in "Much Ado About Nothing" proves to be a microcosm of the way men looked upon women in Shakespeare's era. The gender conflict in this play is strongly present throughout, controlling much of the action and the dialogue. This paper discusses in particular the relationship of Claudio and Benedict.
From the Paper "In Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing", the community proves to be a microcosm of the way men looked upon women in Shakespeare's era. The gender conflict in this play is strongly present throughout, controlling much of the action and the dialogue. It seems to me that the center point of conversation among the men of Messina was nine times out of ten about the inferiority of women and the superiority of men. When Berger names the women of Messina as spoils of war and commodities, he is hitting the nail on the head. Hero, for example, has lived a wholesome and impeccable life but when she stands accused of adultery, the men need no trial or investigation. The men of Messina made up their minds in about a half of a second about the guilt of a young lady who was looked upon highly in the community. Hero's father Leonato wasted no time either in chastising and defaming his only daughter."
Abstract This paper examines in how the film version, director Kenneth Branagh takes viewers into a far different Messina than what is generally interpreted from the play's text. From the costumes to the background settings, from the addition of scenes to the emphasis on certain characters, Branagh reserves his right to interpret "Much Ado About Nothing" as he sees fit. This paper sorts through these differences and outlines and details the logic and reasoning behind Branagh's actions.
From the Paper "Film direction and production of plays allows the viewer to see with their own eyes the relationships between characters, the focus of the themes, and the other aspects of plays such as costumes, the representations of the players, and so forth. In other words,the viewers are given the opportunity to let their imagination and curiosity come to fruition. When I read a play I try to visualize what I am reading and really explore my imagination to see the action as it is occurring in my mind. Often times however, my imagination is shattered somewhat when I see the film production. Such is the case with Branagh's "Much Ado About Nothing". "
Abstract In his famous play, "Much Ado About Nothing," Shakespeare gives us not only a fine comedy, but also a keen look into human nature. He shows the trickery and deceit certain characters use to achieve their ends and, in a way, the comedy is actually a sober look at what happens in society in any age, including our own.
Abstract This paper examines William Shakespeare's play "Much Ado About Nothing" and in particular, analyzes Shakespeare's portrayal of the theme of love. It covers ideas about heroism and heroines, the shrew and the beautiful Venetian lady and ideals of real and superficial love in reference to the characters, particularly, Claudio, Hero, Benedick and Beatrice. Tools such as foreshadowing, exposition and mirroring are also discussed.
From the Paper "While Shakespeare is disagreeing with the social ideals of his time in terms of courtship and romance, he is promoting the concept of real love. Shakespeare shows the audience the "true love" of Benedick and Beatrice in a positive light, highly trusting of one another, and loyal to the end "Enough, I am engaged; I will challenge him". Though their relationship started on bad terms, perhaps with a previous courtship that failed "he lent it (his heart) me a while, and I gave him use for it, a double heart for his single one. Marry, once before he won it of me with false dice", with the couple snarling and sneering at one another ?Scratching could not make it worse an "twere such a face as yours were", and brought together by comic deception "to bring Signor Benedick and the Lady Beatrice into a mountain of affection th"one with th"other", they end up with a love that far exceeds that of Hero and Claudio?s."
Abstract This paper examines the concept of seeming versus being and reality versus deception in "Much Ado About Nothing". Through an analysis of the relationships of the characters, it considers the question of whether human beings are capable of dealing with the rest of the world in a totally honest way or whether the human race has managed to exist as long as it has by welcoming, even embracing, some forms of deception.
From the Paper "Then there are those people who are aware of their falsity, but are so at home within it that they won't easily let themselves be brought out into the reality fashioned by what they hide inside. Benedick and Beatrice fit perfectly into this arena. Both are strong characters, probably the most entertaining characters in the entire play. They are both clever and witty to the extreme while also being selfish almost beyond all hope. What each of them wants is exactly what they are disguising themselves to be away from: happily wedded bliss. They certainly "seem" on the outside to desire nothing more from each other than the occasional entertaining battle of humorous repartee. Inside, however, lies their actual "being," two characters who are lonesome for human contact that doesn't rely on their intelligence but rather on simple human emotions."
Abstract Shakespeare used many literary devices throughout his history to create timeless classics. The paper shows how masking is the prominent literary motif in "Much Ado About Nothing". Two kinds of masking, both the literal type (in which a character actually wears a mask) and the literary type (when a character hides and/or creates imaginary plots to be put into other characters' minds for their own cause or benefit) are exhibited by Shakespeare in this play.
From the Paper "The masked ball is one of the more interesting scenes in the play because of the fact that nearly everyone is unmasked before it starts. Leonato and Hero know that Don Pedro will approach her. Beatrice and Benedick flirt sarcastically with each other and are each possibly aware of the other's presence yet pretend not to know the person hiding behind the mask. The other characters all recognize each other as well. Of all the characters present at the masked ball, only the two unmasked characters, Borachio and Don John, are actually wearing masks."
Abstract This paper describes and summarizes the plot and characters in the film adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing". The paper also explains the play's theme that something so innocent can be quickly turned into woe by deceivers.
From the Paper "The idyllic scene contrasts sharply with the next scene, where the MEN enter, galloping atop of fierce, snorting steeds that thunder down the hill side, the men sweaty, disheveled uniforms sport triumphant smiles or stern determined gazes, as the prince's army returns from a successful battle. Pure animal testorone, in the most positive sense, that gets the blood circulating and makes the women swoon, even in this day."
Abstract This paper examines how during Shakespeare's time, the word "nothing" would have been pronounced "noting" and how in his play "Much Ado About Nothing" Shakespeare brilliantly plays on the meanings and pronunciation of the word. In order to better understand the underlying significance of "noting" in this play and how it relates to the nature of society it discusses and analyzes the various references to it.
From the Paper "So, what is it that Shakespeare had to say about notes, noting, and nothing that makes this play so interesting? Well, it is most definitely a comment on one of the problems with any society of any time, which is modern day gossip and rumors. Every reference to a noting in the play leads to an inevitable conflict and misjudgment. Certainly the audience can see what Shakespeare saw as too many people to quick to place judgment on others according to words. While it might seem like words can't do much harm, it is words that put Hero's entire future, and life for that matter, at risk of being destroyed. It was those same untrue words that had Benedick ready to kill Claudio in order to avenge Hero and prove his love to Beatrice."
This paper analyzes the problems of transforming Shakespeare to film, especially character portrayal, as demonstrated in Kenneth Branagh's 1993 film adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Much Ado about Nothing".
Abstract This paper explains that Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of Willam Shakespeare's "Much Ado about Nothing" is an enchanting world filled with believable drama and mostly solid acting; moreover, Branagh was extremely successful in allowing contemporary audiences an aperture by which to understand Shakespeare by weaving the original text into the film in such a way that it becomes both intelligible and unobtrusive. The author points out that the sacrifices in Branagh's adaptation is the play's subtle theme of appearance versus reality; wherein, whether through his addition of new material for the screen or his partial omissions of Shakespeare's text, Branagh has eliminated all of the mystery and ambiguity that Shakespeare crafted into his characters. The paper analyzes the portrayal of the characters Benedick, Beatrice, Claudio and Branagh.
From the Paper "Branagh's Don Pedro, however, lacks this ambiguity. Another creative liberty with Shakespeare's text is the addition of Denzel Washington's ever-stylish and ever-fearless persona to Don Pedro. As the veteran American actor is cast for the role, he seems slightly out of place. His attitude is always cautious and carefree; the actor easily brings his effortless delivery and commanding persona to the role. This is not always a good thing, however: when Don Pedro offers his hand in marriage to Beatrice, Washington says his lines coolly and nonchalantly, and the delivery offers no possibility that Don Pedro might seek Beatrice for himself. Branagh also diffuses the mystery behind Pedro's wooing of Hero through his directorial choices. When Don Pedro and Claudio walk through the garden, they address each other as equals, wear the same clothing, and talk openly."
This paper examines Shakespeare's play "Much Ado About Nothing" and maintains that Beatrice and Bendick will have a much happier marriage than Hero and Claudio.
Abstract The paper examines Shakespeare's play "Much Ado About Nothing" and presents the argument that Beatrice and Bendick will have a much happier marriage than the one between Hero and Claudio, even though they move toward their love slowly.
From the Paper "Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" illustrates the haziness and trials of true love. In the play we are presented with two very different sets of lovers. Beatrice and Benedick insult and tease each other mercilessly, all the while proclaiming that marriage is not for them. Hero and Claudio fall instantly in love, however, their love is easily disrupted by the forces of rumor, gossip and mistrust."
Abstract This paper will examine the character of Hero as woman that is truly moral and socially aware of what is right or wrong in her culture The constant demands of her father and other men to have her married are the patriarchal values that nearly destroy her in the end. Her morality is her greatest virtue but ultimately it is the men that format her as a heroine as she survives their trickery and disguises.
From the Paper "The aim of this study will be to understand the dramatic elements of the character Hero in the comedy Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. By understanding the character Hero within the narrative that Shakespeare portends, one can analyze the behaviors and actions she takes within the play. Also, we can realize the historical elements of Hero within theatre conventions through differing periods of time. The main themes of passive femininity and heroism are analyzed within this study to elucidate Hero as a female character with dignity, yet blinded and deceived by male patriarchal values. The character Hero in Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare is a passive heroine within this Elizabethan comedy."
