Much Ado About Nothing Benedick and Beatrice Essay Example
Ayush Salgia 9T 12/02/12
Explore the ways in which Beatrice and Benedick are presented in the masked revellers scene, and elsewhere in the play, and in the performed version.
In 'Much Ado About Nothing,' William Shakespeare presents two very similar characters: Benedick of Padua and Beatrice of Messina in a variety of ways, from rancorous 'harpy' to machiavellian 'jester' after their suggested punitive break up to strong lovers who ens the play harmoniously engaged, with plenty of witticisms along the way. The play charts the major change in both of them and their relationship in their most comedic and romantic moments and their relationship is affectionately brought to life in Kenneth Branagh's 1993 version of the play. Firstly, in act II scene I of' 'Much Ado About Nothing' by William Shakespeare, Beatrice of Messina is portrayed as a women who is extremely satirical of men and in particular, Benedick of Padua, who she had a previous relationship with. This is clearly demonstrated by her pernicious jests aimed solely at men:
'Why, he is the Prince's jester, a very dull fool. Only his gift is devising impossible slanders.'
Beatrice's cunning and haughty barb to a masked Benedick shows her averseness to Benedick. In addition to this, she further insults Benedick by the words 'dull' and 'fool.' it impies that Benedick is gray, boring and imbecilic, contrary to what Benedick thinks about himself. The choice of words add further insult to Benedick as they are strong words, not used in their ordinary fights, showing Benedick the true hatred of him by Beatrice for a variety of reasons. The satirical paraphrase 'only his gift is devising impossible slanders' is particularly wounding to Benedick as it alludes to the fact that he is useless, and is not good at anything, from love to war, it's clearly sacritical as it amuses other people, while still affecting Benedick and her
Explore the ways in which Beatrice and Benedick are presented in the masked revellers scene, and elsewhere in the play, and in the performed version.
In 'Much Ado About Nothing,' William Shakespeare presents two very similar characters: Benedick of Padua and Beatrice of Messina in a variety of ways, from rancorous 'harpy' to machiavellian 'jester' after their suggested punitive break up to strong lovers who ens the play harmoniously engaged, with plenty of witticisms along the way. The play charts the major change in both of them and their relationship in their most comedic and romantic moments and their relationship is affectionately brought to life in Kenneth Branagh's 1993 version of the play. Firstly, in act II scene I of' 'Much Ado About Nothing' by William Shakespeare, Beatrice of Messina is portrayed as a women who is extremely satirical of men and in particular, Benedick of Padua, who she had a previous relationship with. This is clearly demonstrated by her pernicious jests aimed solely at men:
'Why, he is the Prince's jester, a very dull fool. Only his gift is devising impossible slanders.'
Beatrice's cunning and haughty barb to a masked Benedick shows her averseness to Benedick. In addition to this, she further insults Benedick by the words 'dull' and 'fool.' it impies that Benedick is gray, boring and imbecilic, contrary to what Benedick thinks about himself. The choice of words add further insult to Benedick as they are strong words, not used in their ordinary fights, showing Benedick the true hatred of him by Beatrice for a variety of reasons. The satirical paraphrase 'only his gift is devising impossible slanders' is particularly wounding to Benedick as it alludes to the fact that he is useless, and is not good at anything, from love to war, it's clearly sacritical as it amuses other people, while still affecting Benedick and her