In Shakespeares play, Much Ado About Nothing, deception is a key theme throughout. There are several main deceptions, beginning with Don John trying to deceive Claudio that the prince woos Hero for himself. When this conniving scheme fails, he embarks on a new master plan, which involves the shaming of Hero at the marriage between her and Claudio. Another key deception, arguably the most important storyline to the play, is the deception of Beatrice and Benedick, who despite their previous feelings about courtly love and romance, gradually begin to fall for each other, under the careful guidance of Don Pedro, Claudio, Hero, Ursula and Leonato.
However, throughout the first few scenes, we as the audience are exposed to Beatrice and Benedicks merry war as they exchange witty and sarcastic banter. Scratching could not make it worse, an ΄twere such a face as yours were. As opposed to her cousin Hero, Beatrice clearly speaks her mind and is not afraid to let Benedick know what she thinks of him. Beatrice believes women should be allowed to voice their opinions where it suits them, just as men are, and that they should be the ones to make decisions concerning them, not the men of the play. For example, when discussing the marriage of Hero and Claudio, Beatrice explains that not only should the marriage between them please Heros father, Leonato, but it should also please her. But yet for all that, cousin, let him be a handsome fellow-or else make another curtsey and say, Father, as it please me.
Beatrice portrays herself as an independent woman and explains that she will never take a husband. Not till God make men of some other metal than Earth This sets her apart from the conventional women of her time, namely Hero, who is told what to do by her father, and is under his authority. As the reader we can compare Beatrices attitudes towards love to Bendicks. She is a strong minded woman, who alike to Benedick does not need a member of the opposite sex to rely on. In fact, Beatrice doesnt need anyone to rely on. Shakespeare leads us to believe this as in the play, Beatrice is without parents or guardians, this shows that she is more independent compared to her cousin Hero. Beatrice is free to discuss openly her feelings and opinions about people clearly in the play. Shakespeare also made a point of not associating Beatrice with having any parents as she does not have the pressure to find a husband, this upholds the idea that Beatrice is independent and has the ability to make decisions for herself. Beatrice openly shares her views on romance and love to Benedick, Don Pedro, Claudio, Balthasar and Don John. I would rather hear my dog bark at a crow rather than a man swears he loves me.
Benedick is as adamant as Beatrice is on living life without marriage. Benedick feels that love, should not provoke any emotion within a man, he ridicules love. With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord, not with love. Prove that ever I lose more blood with love than I will get again with drinking, pick out mine eyes with a ballad-makers pen, and hang me up at the door of a brothel-house for the sign of blind cupid. However as the audience, we realise that Benedicks rejection of romantic feelings may just be a faade. Shakespeare gives the audience a hint at Benedicks change in attitude
With a soliloquy where in which he describes his perfect woman. One woman is fair, yet I am well; another is wise, yet I am well; another virtuous, yet I am well; but till all graces be in one woman, one woman shall not come in my grace. Rich she shall be, thats certain; wise, or Ill none; virtuous, or Ill never cheapen her; fair or Ill never look on her; mild, or come not near me; noble, or not I for an angel; of good discourse, an excellent musician, and her hair shall be-of what colour it please God.
To begin with, when Benedick is tricked he does not believe what he is hearing. Is possible? Sits the wind in that corner? He feels obliged to return Beatrices supposed love, he begins to convince himself also that Beatrice fits his idealistic woman. They say the lady is fair-tis a truth, I can bear them witness. Benedick humours the audience by claiming that the underlying reason he is considering marriage or requiting Beatrices love is because as a man, it is his duty to pro-create. He explains that he did not think he would live to be married. He appears to convince himself that he is not undermining the attitude he had before, yet as he did not think he would live to an age to be married, he did not put thought or consideration into marriage or love. No: the World must be peopled. When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live to I were married.
Alike to Beatrice, Benedick does not succumb to the conformities of a traditional man. He does not want to marry, or settle for a wife like Claudio or Don Pedro. He shows compassion for Hero when she faints after being shamed. He is the only male apart from the Friar that remains by her side, to ensure she is ok. How doth the lady? This is also the first instance in which we see Benedick bonding with Beatrice.
Similar to Benedick, when Beatrice is tricked by Ursula and Hero, she does not believe what she is hearing. What fire is in mine ears? Can this be true? She is astounded to find out that she is perceived as proud and scornful. But nature never framed a womans heart of prouder stuff than that or Beatrice. Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes,.
When quizzed about his apparent mood change, Benedick agrees he has changed, and the others tease him about it, claiming his mood change is from being in love. Gallants, I am not as I have been. He disguises his feelings of love for Beatrice by claiming he has a toothache. Don Pedro, Claudio and Leonato clearly know he is bluffing as they have tricked him into believing Beatrice is in love with him. Benedick stays quiet whilst they make assumptions on his current mood change, and then asks Leonato to take a walk with him. He does not appear embarrassed by his recent change in attitude and feels there is no shame in being in love. Don Pedro and Claudio claim he has improved his physical appearance for Beatrice, by washing his face and using cosmetics. And when was he wont to wash his face? At the end of the scene, Benedick goes for a walk with Leonato, which Claudio and Don Pedro presume is to speak of his love for Beatrice. If this is so, Benedick is beginning to adhere to the more traditional conformities of courtly love, showing his change in attitude for love and for Beatrice as he is speaking to the man closest to her about his love for her.
Beatrice adopts a similar response to the teasing she receives from Margaret and Hero, claiming her miserable mood is because she has a head cold. Margaret suggests Carduus Benedictus for Beatrices head cold, and Beatrice reacts sharply to this. Bendictus! Why Benedictus? You have some moral in this Bendictus? She is presuming Margaret had a hidden reason for prescribing such a medicine. Margaret says Beatrice has begun to look with her eyes as other woman do, meaning she has begun to love and want to be married. Beatrice is still slightly defiant of her feelings, What pace is this that thy tongue gallops?
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