Much Ado About Nothing Benedick Compare And Contrast

Love Versus Attraction

“People need to learn that their actions do affect other people. So be careful what you say and do, it’s not always just about you.” - Anonymous. Many people, in the world and in works of literature, are oblivious to the fact that their accusations and comments can change a person’s life. The play “Much Ado About Nothing” takes place in a span of roughly a week and a half. During that time soldiers return from war, there are two plots for characters to fall in love with each other, and many lies and deceits go flying around. In the play “Much Ado About Nothing” by William Shakespeare, the characters Benedick and Claudio are foils of each other because of their views on love, their actions/reactions, and their contradicting personalities.

One reason Claudio and Benedick are character foils of each other is because of their differing opinions on love. At the beginning of the play, Benedick is disgusted at the

“Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty...Can blot out Hero’s virtue...What man was he talked with you yesternight. Out your window betwixt 12 and 1?” (Page 67/68). Claudio reacts immediately without thinking or asking for Hero’s alibi, therefore resulting in her “death” from public shaming. Whilst Benedick looks at all the evidence before deciding his course of action. “ Enough I am engaged; I will challenge him. I will challenge him. I will kiss your hand, and so I leave you. By this hand Claudio shall render me.” (Shakespeare 76). With the accounts from Claudio, Don Pedro and the Friar’s and Beatrice’s opinion, Benedick finally makes up his stance that Hero is not guilty. The contrast between Benedick and Claudio is vast in the sense that one doesn’t use their brain before their heart and the other does; much like the differences between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron