How Does Shakespeare Present Marriage In Much Ado About Nothing

Marriage itself is socially recognized union of two people in a bond that putatively last until death. Much Ado About Nothing is a play where marriage is an ever-present part of life; there is always discussion on who loves who. In William Shakespeare’s play, Much Ado About Nothing, the portrayal of marriage is seen as an act of embarrassment than love itself due to the fear of shame that the characters such as Benedick and Claudio have, which would ultimately affect the lives negatively of others around them. For both Claudio and Benedick, their reputation is worth more than the well-being of their partner. Marriage is first spoken of explicitly when Benedick explains how this act equates to being tamed and whipped, hence presenting it as an object of cuckoldry and unwitting deception. BENEDICK: The savage bull may, but if ever the sensible Benedick bear it, pluck off the bull’s horn and set them in my forehead, and let me be vilely painted, and in such great letters as they write “Here is good horse to hire” let them signify under my sign “Here you may see Benedick the married man (1.1.257-262)

Cuckold meant when a woman has been unfaithful to her husband and to Benedick, when a man is married, there is a higher chance of that occurrence to happen. There is pain and suffering that goes along both internally and socially when the man gets cuckold, as it would demonstrate that the woman had more power

He needs his partner to be chaste and faithful because he is petrified of ending up with the horns. Benedick had joked about cuckoldry with Claudio before and now that Claudio has a love interest, he is taking the commentary seriously. When Don Pedro warns Claudio to not marry Hero because she is a whore, he does this to save Claudio from a bad marriage and protect his reputation. Claudio at disbelief, says if the rumor is true he shall disgrace Hero