Much Ado about Nothing discussion response (07-08-12)

You are correct to first define what love is, and then consider the fact that the people of Shakespeare’s times defined and experienced love differently than we do in our modern age. We have two couples of Claudio and Hero, Benedick and Beatrice, one innocent and drawn together by the heat of passion, while we have another pair that has had a mutual affection for many years, yet kept parted perhaps by fear, or social customs. Yet Benedick and Beatrice are the more ideal relationship as they have developed and tempered their relationship through their verbal sparring with one another over a period of time, getting to know one another, and finding true affection for one another rather than pursuing blind passion. They maintain their safe distance in flirtation, as it is the safest tactic for them to take in their environment during their time. It is only after others have witnessed this exchange go on that other people give their social approval by their scheme to bring this couple closer together. Don Pedro attempts to teach this lesson to Claudio and Hero, who would rush hurriedly into marriage before they had even truly gotten to know one another beforehand as many people do. Perhaps the theme of cuckoldry is such a predominant preoccupation of some of the characters, reflecting the dissatisfaction of the social customs that limit exploring extended courtships, and cause people to pursue others outside their relationship as people are not encouraged to get to know one another before marriage as we are in our day and age. Through the task of getting Benedick and Beatrice married, Claudio and Hero are forced to work together and to get to know one another. They probably wouldn’t have gotten to know one another before marriage if it wasn’t for this scheme of Don Pedro. Don Juan only serves to interfere with their plans, as life often does in ours. Love between lovers may be blind, but the environment around them is not, and often brings its own complications in many different forms.