One of William Shakespeare’s most famous romantic comedies, Much Ado About Nothing, tells the story of two individuals, Claudio and Hero, who quickly fall in love and plan to marry. However, due to another’s nefarious acts, Claudio believes that Hero is unfaithful. He cruelly and publicly shames her at their wedding, leading to her faking her death. In the end, it is revealed that Hero is both innocent and alive, and a double marriage becomes the play’s finale. Though this romance seems to be the focal point of the play, a close reading reveals that the romance between two supporting characters, Benedick and Beatrice, is perhaps more compelling and believable. While Claudio and Hero experience a whimsical romance that develops rapidly, Benedick and Beatrice have a more durable relationship. This relationship is initially built on their scorn of marriage and each other, but it is soon revealed that both characters truly care for each other. Despite the play’s focus on Claudio and Hero and their typical Shakespearean romance, Beatrice and Benedick’s more convincing relationship built on trust and overcoming insecurities, suggests a relationship built upon understanding is more realistic and lasting than a relationship that blooms from love at first sight.
Kayleigh Kearsley (Fri,) studied this question.
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