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William Shakespeare's Play, Much Ado About Nothing: Three Types of Love

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William Shakespeare's Play, Much Ado About Nothing: Three Types of Love
. In William Shakespeare’s play, Much Ado About Nothing, there are many themes present and one of those is the theme of love. Philia, Eros, and Agape are the three types of love present in the play and are what represent the theme of love. These three types of love, Philia, Eros, and Agape are expressed by the different characters in the play. The expression of the theme of love in the play is not just there by accident; William Shakespeare put it in this comedic and romantic play with a purpose.

Philia is one of the three kinds of love expressed in the play. The type of love that Philia represents is a love in between friends and family, a love that is not sexual or romantic. In the play this kind of love is shown in between a few characters in the play, Benedick and Claudio, Don Pedro and Claudio, and Hero and Beatrice. (Act 2, scene 3, lines17-21, pg. 229) Benedick- (referring to Claudio) He was wont to speak plain and to the purpose, like an honest man and a soldier- his words are a very fantastical banquet, just so many strange dishes. Benedick is talking about Claudio and how he has fallen in love with Hero, he mentions how he’s not cut out for something like this but Claudio is the perfect guy for it, and how wonderful of a man Claudio is. The love in between friends is always crucial in a friendship because you know that other person will do many things for your well being and it is emphasized all throughout the play to show the reader that without some kind of love a friendship will fail.

Eros is the second of the three types of love shown throughout the play. It is the kind of love that is romantic, can be a fickle, and everything from a crush to a deep passion. The two characters in the play that share this kind of love are Hero and Claudio. (Act 1, scene 1, lines 155-188, pg. 221) Claudio- Benedick, didst thou note the daughter of Signor Leonato? Benedick- I noted her not but I looked on her. Claudio- Is she not a modest

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