Much ado about nothing - Essay Example

The theme of love is strongly emphasised in the play Much Ado About Nothing. Indeed the way by which Benedick and Beatrice fall in love itself is a very good example for this, since it was through a prank played by their friends that make them to fall in love. The same kind of incidents happens in today’s life, where love conquers the hearts of many people and they live together a happy married life. Women have been made victims of social injustice, right from the past civilisations to this age.

This theme has also been very strongly dealt with in the play, which reflects upon the beliefs of society. The way the lady Hero was suspected of having an illicit relationship is even present in today’s life, wherein women are suspected by their men. (Much Ado About Nothing) The relationship between men and women in this play is another very interesting factor, which gives momentum to the play. It is very interesting to note that Benedick and Beatrice, who had been bitter enemies at the beginning, fall into love with each other due to change of events.

At the same time Claudio and Hero who fall into love initially, start to hate each other due to deceit and change in circumstances. Thus the play brings forward the truth behind the complexity of relationship, that underlies between men and women and the way it affects each one of them. . (Much Ado About Nothing) Gender is one main factor in this play. The characters have a set of expected characteristics, which they are supposed to follow due to pressures of the society. As a result the female characters in the play strictly pursue the set of norms and rules set by the opposite sex, which very well brings out their limitations.

The only exception to this has been the character Beatrice, who seems to be quite outspoken and is against the concept of marriage in her life. But it is found that towards the end of the play, she too accepts the role of becoming wife to Benedick. (Much Ado About Nothing) Paternalism has a big role in the movie. It is evident in the case of Leonato, who exercises his power on his daughter Hero, to accept the marriage proposal of Claudio, brought about by the Prince. Paternalism is felt quite strongly in the play, since Benedick feels that, the outspoken Beatrice is crossing limits by making fun of him.

He feels that noble ladies have to be silent and humble before men. In the case of Claudio and Hero who were already in love, it can be said that, they would have a good marriage and their relationship would last long. Except for an occasion wherein they were tricked by Don John, on all other occasions they were quite passionate lovers. The same was not in the case of Benedick and Beatrice, who had been tricked into believing that each one of them was in love with the other. Both of them could not get along with each other and Benedick always used to keep a distance from Beatrice due to her outspoken behaviour, at the very beginning.

So their marriage would not be a happy one considering each one’s character. (Much Ado About Nothing) The play Much Ado About Nothing gives a very good reflection, about how well both men and women understand about each other. Indeed the character of Benedick very well shows that, he very little understands the feminine nature of care and love. Only when he is falsely led to believe that Beatrice is in love with him, that he starts to realise the concept of love and affection and starts to understand the qualities of women.

The same in the case of Beatrice who initially feels that, men are dominant in the society due to which, she does not like to marry and become a slave to a man. Faithfulness on the part of women towards their men is a theme, which has been very well portrayed in the movie. The depth of love that a woman has for a man is not understood by the characters in the play, which is very much evident in the character of Claudio, who starts to suspect his lover Hero’s faithfulness towards him. This is one aspect that causes the unfortunate turn of events, causing a