A Change of Heart One would describe love as an intense affection, which may result in a friendship or personal tie. It is an emotion that no one can honestly describe until it is actually experienced. Even though Benedick is a virgin to love, he disagrees with the concept of marriage, in which two people take commitment to each other by sharing a serious relationship. Using two different soliloquies, Shakespeare portrays Benedick’s attitude about love before and after the conversation among Claudio, Don Pedro and Leonato. In Much Ado About Nothing, William Shakespeare uses repetition and diction to show how Benedick’s feelings toward love change from dislike to desire.
Benedick’s first monologue is based on repeated words and phrases. His soliloquy indicates he has extremely high expectations for his ideal woman. He states repeatedly, “yet I am well,” (26) to convince himself that although one woman may be fair, wise, or virtuous, she only holds one special trait. By reiterating that phrase, he is constantly telling himself that women will never be a part of his life. Repeating the statement conveys he is determined to preserve his position against women. A single trait will not strike him and cause him to fall in love. The ideal woman for Benedick is represented as someone who must be rich, “that’s certain,” (29) fair, or he will “never look on her,” (30) and wise, or he will “none.” (29) After stating each characteristic, Benedick uses similar phrases, emphasizing his strict guidelines for the perfect woman. He presents an image of inflexibility and a fear of falling in love with a woman who does not meet his requirements. Although he may not realize it, Benedick’s rigidity causes him to overlook women who could actually be his perfect match.
The Essay on Beatrice And Benedick Love Characters Play
In William Shakespeare's comedy 'Much Ado About Nothing', the characters Beatrice and Benedick are involved in what could only be called a 'love / hate " relationship. The play is a classic example of this type of relationship, and allows us to view one from the outside looking in. This gives us the chance to analyse the type of relationship that at one time or another we all have been, or will ...
Shakespeare’s choice of words illustrates that Benedick bases love on the experiences of others. This idea is expressed by Benedick when he uses Claudio as an example of how love has turned a man into a fool. Before Claudio falls in love with Hero, the only music he carries is the “drum and the fife.” (13) Since these two instruments are used during war, the association symbolizes Claudio’s strength and bravery as a soldier. Now that he is in love, he would rather hear soothing instruments such as the “tabor and the pipe.” (14) Another perception on the effects of love is how Claudio used to talk “plain and to the purpose,” (18) but now speaks with “orthography.” (19)
Unlike a soldier, who converses with force and honesty, Claudio communicates with fanciful language, using flowery and delicate words. Therefore, his change in speech exemplifies he is in love. The result of Claudio’s experience with love continues to persuade Benedick that falling in love will transform him into an “oyster.” (23) A person in love tends to become gentle, dreamy, and sentimental. Having disgust toward love, Benedick would suffer through an emotional change such as this.
Benedick’s second monologue centers on repetitive phrases, diction, and rhetorical questions. As soon as he discovers that Beatrice has secret feelings for him, the soliloquy implies his whole view on love is modified. Instead of disfavoring love, he craves it. With the use of repetitive phrases, Shakespeare depicts that Benedick honestly agrees with Beatrice’s traits. Beatrice is fair, which “’tis a truth,” (227) virtuous, which “’tis so,” (228) and wise, “but for loving me.” (228-229) He is realizing a woman does not necessarily need to acquire all attributes. He is able to love Beatrice even if she lacks a quality he has in mind. Shakespeare’s use of diction conveys Benedick’s belief that a man should marry. In his opinion, “the world must be peopled.” (237)
The Essay on Scene 1 Page Beatrice Love Benedick
... Claudio, the sub plot involves Beatrice and Benedick. Beatrice and Benidick are the lead characters of the comic and competitive love story, since their relationship changes ... complicate romantic relationships. The relationship that Shakespeare seems to favour is that one between Beatrice and Benedick as he depicts their relationship to ...
If that is the way he believes the world works, people need to get married and have children. At the same time, instead of marriage ruining one’s life, it will only nourish it. Shakespeare demonstrates how Benedick’s passion for Beatrice causes him to be “horribly in love with her.” He seems to have no shame in changing his mind about marriage. In fact, the strength of his love for her is not only strong, it is overwhelming. At last Benedick discovers precisely what it feels like to love and he asks himself, “love me?” (21) He is rather excited to know that someone is finally interested in him. This inquiry only leads Benedick into reasoning that the love must be requited, thus, he is compelled to return it.
As a newly love-struck man, Benedick is aware that he may have left traces of his resentment toward love. However, “doth not the appetite alter?” (234) His remaining feelings do not prevent him from loving Beatrice because he is always eligible to change.
Benedick feels that his emotional change is only for the better. Benedick also asks himself if “quips and sentences”¦and paper bullets” (235-236) should be able to restrain a man “from the career of his humor?” (237) He questions it with an attitude in which he cannot imagine who would think petty impediments are able to halt love. Only because people’s negative thoughts and actions can serve as love obstacles for Benedick, it should not prevent him from loving another.
Shakespeare has shown how love has the ability to emotionally affect a person.
Although it might seem that Benedick’s change was sudden, love often catches people by surprise, and tends to be complicated. It also raises the question of what the couple’s reaction would be if they detected the clever trick that Leonato, Don Pedro, and Claudio devised. If Benedick and Beatrice are so in love with each other, it probably would not matter how they fell in love. One may wonder how their relationship will end up.
