Much Ado About Nothing Essay

In Shakespeare's beautifully written play, Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare quotes; "The course of true love never did run smooth," pretty much sums up the major theme of this play. One of the most emotion filled characters has to be Benedick. He is full of personality but the way he hides his emotion can be offensive to whoever decides to get in an argument with him. On the receiving end of Benedick's hurtful words tends to be Beatrice. These two are well known in this play for they battles of whit, where they each throw whatever insults they can until one or the other comes out on top. Who knows, there could even be a double meaning behind these fights.

When Benedick is first introduced, he is young almost childish, he has never been in love, fears commitment, and seems to have a strong will to stay single. He is portrayed as a woman-hater and a follower. I think because Benedick had never been touched by love, it is easy for him to take the position of never wanting to marry, like Beatrice. I also think that he will say and do anything to please Don Pedro and stay in his good graces. This is very similar to the way kids will say and do things out of character in front of someone who they believe to be of a higher and more respected station than them selves.

The development of Benedick's character is very interesting because you literally see the emotional development of a young boy grow into a young man. It is fun to see how both Beatrice and Benedick's relationships are fated to be connected, not only do they share the same description of their names- "The Blessed one", but they seem to both be emotionally in the same place, and they both state that they will never marry. From the very beginning of Benedick and Beatrices encounters where they argue and throw fiery insults at each other, they discover a common ground with their positions on staying single and never desiring to marry. They believe that no marriage is sacred. This exchange of verbal warfare between Benedick and Beatrice opens the door to a flood of untapped, inexperienced emotions for both. "Truly I love none" says Benedick but it is very clear that they are on a collision course to love. In reply to Benedick, Beatrice states, "I thank God and my cold blood I am of your humor." With this exchange of words she is quick to agree with Benedick and tells him that she feels the same way. His character