English Literature Essays Shakespeares Much Ado About Nothing

English Literature Essays Shakespe atomic number 18s more Ado about(predicate) NothingExplore the distinct types of get by presented in Shakespeares Much Ado approximately Nothing, considering how our views of fill out differ from those of an Elizabethan audience. Refer to at least ii extracts in your answer.Love is a common theme in Shakespeares comedies, with the action of the play a great deal following a similar manakin digest sex is declared, is challenged in some way and is finally reasserted in the act of marriage. Much Ado About Nothing is no exception and presents this plot structure by means of the pairings of Claudio and admirer, and benedict and Beatrice. These couples illustrate two different types of love, and their portrayed experiences are revealing of Elizabethan attitudes and flavors regarding love.Claudio and wedge provide us with an example of a swiftly progressing love which culminates in marriage little more than a few weeks after they have sourc e met. For an Elizabethan audience the c erstpt of love at first sight would have been widely regarded as a valid possibility in life. The speed with which the two young characters move from strangers to husband and married woman allows Shakespeare to present the courting process within the company of nobility. Such a rapid progression is commented on by Claudio as he explains his newfound love I would have salvd it with a chronic treatise (I.i.289). However, it seems that once the first pangs of love occur, the action moves onto the next stage in the process. There are many rules and regulations when it comes to expressing love for a nonher. This can be seen in Claudios consequent actions rather than approach Hero himself, it is preferable for his friend to mash her on his behalf, in the words of fall apart Pedro, I will break with her and with her father (I.i.283). In todays society the procedure of asking permission from the father of a prospective wife is often seen as uns tylish and is nowhere near as common a practice as in Shakespeares day.Through nomenclature an Elizabethan nobleman would be expected to demonstrate intelligence and wit with the impression of spontaneity. In the homogeneous way, when attracting a woman he would be expected to impress with lavish and clever language. Much sizeableness is placed on the language of love expected from a suitor within the play. Shakespeares narration reflects the qualities of such(prenominal) language by switching from prose to iambic pentameter, a rhythmical form more fitting for descriptions of love. bear Pedro reminds Claudio of the power of a caramel browns words as they discuss his intentions towards Hero, Thou wilt be like a lover presently, / And tire the hearer with a book of words (I.i.280-1). As a young, inexperienced man, Claudio clearly needs the help of his friend and is naturally grateful to have gained an ally in his endeavours. Don Pedros fibre in the analogyship of Claudio and H ero brings attention to the importance placed on the intervention of a trey person. Again, this is a practice non particularly common in forward-looking society, at least not with any successful results.Benedick and Beatrices relationship differs from that of Claudio and Hero in the history the two have mingled with them. There is a reference to a previous courtship in which Beatrice feels she was treated badly. This history betwixt them results in the portrayal of a more mature relationship and a love that is formed through similarities in characters and mutual beliefs. Before the two characters fall in love they share the attitude of rigour towards the idea of marriage and falling in love, Beatrice claims that she would rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me(I.i.107-108). As a result they are forever rebuked and made fun of for holding such a low opinion of marriage. The reaction of other characters towards the two cynics suggests that marriage is th e ultimate symbol of love and should be the goal to which all aspire to, a belief that is reinforced when Benedick and Beatrice are eventually proved wrong and succumb to the powers of love themselves. In Shakespeares sentence marriage would have been the only way for women to better themselves financially and socially. Men would also have gained posture by marrying and thus providing heirs to any property and wealth. With this in mind, there seems less emphasis on the love aspect of marriage than the idealistic impressions of marriage in the play would have us believe. To return to the relation of Shakespeares portrayal of love to a modern society, marriage as a representation of love no longer has such significance, with equal respect given to single and married individuals.The power of Cupid is frequently referred to in relation to both couples. This power is often transferred to a third party that intervenes to aid the progression of love. Don Pedro is at the forefront of this matchmaking when he decides to bring together Benedick and Beatrice, If we can do this, Cupid is no longer an archer his glory shall be ours, for we are the only love-gods (II.i.355-357). By tricking each character with lies about the other, they are manipulated into falling in love. Far from the natural concept of falling in love uncontrollably, Don Pedro and Hero command the feelings of Benedick and Beatrice through created scenarios. It is the power of calculated words that actually take effect, as storied by Hero as she discusses the plot with Ursula, Of this matter / Is Cupids crafty arrow made, / That only wounds by hearsay (III.i.21-23). This level of secrecy seems characteristic of court society at the time, a level of intervention which eventually helps or hinders.The reactions and descriptions of people in love within the play suggest a darker side of love, often characterised by physical symptoms. For example, Hero collapses at the very thought of being accused of infi delity. Also, Don Pedro and Hero both refer to the supposed noticeable difference in appearance of their lovesick friends. On proposing not to tell Beatrice of Benedicks love for her, she concludes that he will consume away in sighs, waste inwardly (III.i.78). Strangely, Benedick and Beatrice seem drawn to the idea of the other suffering from the pain of an unrequited love. The image of Benedick cachexia away clearly has a powerful impression on Beatrice who almost immediately falls in love with him. Having overheard talk of Benedicks anguish (as well as his excellent qualities as a gentleman and soldier) she begins to gestate of marriage, To bind our loves up in a holy band (III.i.114). She also mentions the taming of her wild heart (III.i.112) as a result of Benedicks love, a phrase that brings to mind the later play of The Taming of the Shrew. In both plays, it seems that the love of a man is able to tame an outspoken shrewish character, a belief that many in an Elizabethan audi ence would have shared.Much Ado About Nothing presents us with two pairings of lover that demonstrate two different experiences of love, both governed by societal codes of conduct that no longer have significance in modern society. In contrast, Claudio and Hero show a speedy, formal process of courting, firearm Benedick and Beatrice represent a more drawn out, resisting relationship. While both couplings suffer the consequences of intervention of others, the last mentioned marry purely as a result of meddling friends. It seems that love in the play is bear on more with superficial appearances and falsely created scenarios than actual feelings. Views of love in the play clearly differ from modern day opinion, but this is not to say that we cannot relate to the play because we are not part of an Elizabethan audience our codes of conduct in dating and matchmaking have merely evolved to suit todays society.BibliographyThe Norton Shakespeare, Stephen Greenblatt (Oxford University Pres s, 1997)Extracts I.i.271-302III.i.72-116