Compare and contrast Shakespeare's presentation of the relationship between Beatrice and Benedick with that of Claudio and Hero.
Throughout the play our attention should mainly be on the two characters, Claudio and Hero. These two rather pallid characters are involved in the main plot. But the audience are unable to tear their attention away from the two exciting, quick-witted and fiery tempered characters of Beatrice and Benedick.
Claudio and Hero fall in love at first sight with no questions asked other than Claudio's question about whether she is sole heir to her father's fortune, but they are forced to overcome obstacles which will test their love for one another. Throughout the play Benedick and Beatrice entertain the audience with their lively encounters at first and then their passionate relationship. Leonato, at the beginning of the play sums up the relationship between them beautifully, "There is a kind of merry war betwixt Signor Benedick and her; they never meet but there's a skirmish of wit between them." .
Beatrice and Benedick are very similar; they have the same type of personality and so behave in the same ways and have the views on certain aspects of life, such as love and marriage. In the past Beatrice and Benedick have been romantically involved. This is made clear during a conversation between Don Pedro and Beatrice: "Indeed, my lord, he lent it me awhile, and I gave him use for it, a double heart for his single one. Marry, once before he won it of me with false dice, therefore your grace may well say I have lost it." It is clear that they are no longer romantically linked, yet it is obvious that Beatrice still has feelings and cares for Benedick, as her first line in the play is a jibe at Benedick, but it is a sarcastic comment which covers up the fact that she wishes to know whether or not Benedick has returned home safely from the war. The nickname through which she refers to him disguises this, "I pray you, is Signor Mountanto returned from the wars, or no?" During their first lively encounter in the play, both characters exchange words on not wanting love.
Franklin 1 Tiffany Franklin Coach Short EH 9-3 7 October 2002 William Shakespeare No one really knows when William Shakespeare was born. ... John Shakespeare became an alderman in 1565. ... Mary Shakespeare died in 1608 and was buried on September 9. ... Anne Shakespeare was buried on April 4, 1579. ... At eighteen, William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. ...
William Shakespeare On April 26, 1564, John Shakespeare's son, William, was baptized at the Stratford Parish Church. ... Shakespeare's formal William Shakespeare was born in the year of 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. ... John Shakespeare was a tanner, and a glove maker. ... John Shakespeare was a tanner, and a glove maker. ... John Shakespeare was a tanner, and a glove maker. ...
Shakespeare was clearly influenced by his race. ... Most of Shakespeare's works contain some form of the supernatural. ... However, Shakespeare's happy enthusiasm didn't last. ... Shakespeare, however, didn't end his days in mental gloom. ... William Shakespeare was a genius. ...
On April 26, 1564 in the prosperous English town of Stratford-upon-Avon, the first son of John Shakespeare and Mary Arden was baptized and christened William Shakespeare. ... Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. ... By 1592 Shakespeare had become involved with the theatre in London. ... The first of Shakespeare's plays was performed later that year. ... Shakespeare's own life came to an end on April 23, 1616. ...
*Shakespeare's biography* Shakespeare was born, to all appearance, on April 1564. ... John Shakespeare was a son of Richard Shakespeare, a rich and respected farmer. ... Shakespeare got married as a very young man. ... *The Age of Shakespeare* Mysterious William Shakespeare, whose writings are very valuable for England, was one of the greatest English poets. ... Shakespeare started his acting career in "The Theatre". ...
Shakespeare communicates this using a variety of dramatic techniques and I will also be outlining these in this essay. ... The setting which Shakespeare starts the play is dark, desolate and "bitter cold". ... It was Shakespeare's aim to communicate the inner conflict within Hamlet in this act and therefore, establish empathy between the audience and the character of Hamlet....
Well when I hear this quote, I think of Shakespeare. ... Shakespeare's share in the acting company made him wealthy. With the opening if the splendid Globe Theatre in 1599, Shakespeare's fortunes increased. Shakespeare wrote nearly all of his plays from 1590 to 1611. ... Shakespeare's wife. ...
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford upon Avon, England. ... The third of eight children to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden, William was there eldest son. ... Tragically Hamnet, Shakespeares only son died two months later due to natural causes. ... Shakespeare was fortunate to get them both as teachers. ... Shakespeare's plays soon became known by everyone in London. ...
Shakespeare's was a family of eight children. William Shakespeare's parents, John Shakespeare and Mary Arden raised their children in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon. ... John Shakespeare was very respected and held several important positions in local government William, who had four brothers and two sisters, was the third child of John and Mary Shakespeare. ... In August 1596 Shakespeare's life was disturbed by family tragedy. ... In conclusion, William Shakespeare is a famous figure in literature. ...
