Commentary on Much Ado about nothing Essay

In Shakespeares play Much Ado About Nothing, he creates compatible characters that still are very different also. Claudio and Benedick are very good friends therefore get along very well because of their similarities. Sometimes there is a sense of competitiveness between them, which in the end only makes them stronger. Claudio and Benedick are different in many ways, which separates them significantly as spouses to their new wives. Although Benedick and Claudio are both very gullible, Benedick will have a more successful marriage because of his truthful and bluntness while Claudio is very timid.

Both Claudio and Benedick share the quality of being gullible. After being ticked by Don John, Claudio, and Leanoto, Benedick states, This can be no trick. The / conference was sadly borne; it seems / her affections have their full bent. Love me? (II.iii.222-225). Benedick truly believes that this is no trick, but it is being said in all seriousness that she loves him. It is very foolish of Benedick to believe them, because Beatrice makes it very clear that she hates him up until this point in the play. Also, the whole scene seems very staged, which Benedick would have noticed if he was not so gullible. Claudio, like Benedick, is also a very gullible character. Believing Don John about Hero being with another man leads Claudio to say, If I see anything tonight why I should not / marry her, tomorrow in the congregation, where I should wed, there will I shame her(III.iii. 116-118). Claudio plans to humiliate Hero at their wedding day if he decides to believe what Don John is telling him. It is very nave for Claudio to believe Don John because he is the one character in the play that is most dishonest and always seems to have a hidden agenda. Claudio should believes other people what they are telling him rather than believing what is in his heart, which makes hum a very gullible character. Although Claudio and Benedick have things in common, there are many differences between the two.

Benedick will make a better husband, because he s very bold and speaks his mind. INTRO TO QUOTE QUOTE AMD TAC. After confessing his love for Beatrice, Benedick says, I will challenge / him. I will kiss your hand, and so I leave you. By this hand, Claudio shall render me a dear account(IV.ii.346-348). Benedick is willing to challenge his best friend Claudio in a duel, so that he can win the love of Batrice forever. This reveals that Benedick will make the better husband because of his boldness to do anything for his true love, this types of attitude wil be the only thing that will keep two people together through all the difficulties that will occur in a marriage. In the long run, Benedick will be a better husband then Claudio would ever be.

Claudio is a very insecure person, which will make him less inclined to be a very successful husband. While talking to Don Pedro about Hero, Claudio says, ..If I could say how much.Lady, as / you are mine, I am yours(II.i.301-302) Claudio is saying that he wishes he could ay how much he loves Hero. Claudios lack of self-esteem will make it hard for him t have a successful marriage. A man definitely needs to be secure about himself for a marriage to work, and Claudio is limited in that so it will be hard for him to be a success. Claudio tends to be a very insecure and timid character. Beatrice talks about Claudio with Don Pedro and Leanato, The Count is neither sad, nor sick, nor mer- / ry, nor well, but civil count, civil as an orange, and / something of that jealous complexion.(II.i. 287-289). TAC. Although Claudio loves Hero very much, his insecure qualities will make it hard to have a successful marriage.

Benedick will make a better husband because of his bold and truthfulness, rather than Claudio who is very insecure and timid. Benedick will always tell Beatrice how he truly feels, which will make their relationship stronger everyday. Claudios marriage will be less successful due to his self-consciousness. It would be very interesting to see how both of their relationships would have progressed differently if the story were placed in this modern day.