Beatrice And Benedick In Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing

“Much Ado About Nothing” by Shakespeare takes the reader back to the Elizabethan time period. The play’s comedic tone presents the conflict that is taking place in the city Messina. The performance gives perspective on the characters’ relationships throughout a brief time span. Beatrice and Benedick are major characters whose relationship evolved throughout the play. Through the development of character relationships, the reader can sense the gender roles included in the production.

From the beginning of the piece, Beatrice is introduced as Leonato’s niece and Hero’s cousin. She is a witty and independent woman who always speaks her mind. This provides amusement and at times creates tension in the play. After Beatrice hears about a battle that is

Benedick is convinced that women are unfaithful. In the play there have been several moments referring to women being unfaithful. In a conversation with Claudio Benedick expresses his distrust for women, “Is ’t come to this? In faith, hath not the world one man but he will wear his cap with suspicion? Shall I never see a bachelor of three-score again? Go to, i' faith, an thou wilt needs thrust thy neck into a yoke, wear the print of it, and sigh away Sundays” (1.1.155). He feels as though he is the only man left that does not trust women and the people around him are falling into a trap of love. “Much Ado About Nothing” is still relevant today. The relationships in the play can be compared to romantic comedy movies. For example, Beatrice and Benedick can be compared to Margaret and Andrew from the movie “The Proposal.” In both scenarios, the characters do not adore each other but in the finale they fall in love and get married. In the play they bring up ideas different for their time and are portrayed differently, similarly to the movie. Shakespeare’s work can still be compared to contemporary movies and