Courtship in Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare...

Courtship in Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare The themes of love, marriage and courtship are an important part of Much Ado about nothing; they are presented in a way that reflects the attitudes of the society at that time. I will explore the different attitudes of modern audiences and Shakespeares audience towards these themes in the play. The two examples of relationships I have chosen are Beatrice and Benedicks and Hero and Claudios. This is because I think they are in contrast with each other, at the beginning of the play it appears that Hero and Claudio will be the perfect couple formed in a conventional way, Claudio goes through the right channels and their marriage is†¦show more content†¦Although Shakespeares plays present love as unpredictable, as there are many images of cupid in Much Ado as well as love at first sight in his other plays such as in Romeo and Juliet. Beatrice and Benedicks relationship appeals more to a modern audience, they are direct and confident in expressing their own opinions and the opinion that they have of each other. Even when Beatrice and Benedick are in agreement with each other that is, that they are against marriage, they cannot help but quarrel. Benedick: God keep your ladyship in that mind so some gentlemen or other shall scape a predestinate scratched face Beatrice: scratching could not make it worse and twere such a face as yours. This constant bickering between Beatrice and Benedick is a passion which their relationship is built upon, each are intuitive they echo the others language. They are not wooing in the expected ways because their relationship is one of equals. This is in contrast to the way that Hero and Claudio court; he cannot imagine Hero as a passionate and sexual being but as a brother to a sister showed bashful sincerity. The way in which the two couples communicate with each other gives the audience a useful insight into how well they know each other. Early on in the play we realise Beatrice and Benedick have known each other for a while, I know you of old says Beatrice, theyShow MoreRelated Much Ado About Nothing Essay: Many Facets of Love Explored847 Words   |  4 Pagesof Love Explored in Much Ado About Nothing      Ã‚   In Shakespeares romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare focuses a great deal of time to the ideas of young, lustful, and intellectual love. Claudio and Hero, Borachio and Margaret, and Benedick and Beatrice, respectively, each represent one of the basic aspects of love. Shakespeare is careful to point out that not one path is better than another. The paths are merely different, and all end happily. 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