This is a comparison of the two pairs of lovers in Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing".

Essay by thereelshady007University, Bachelor'sA+, October 2003

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The most important aspect of any William Shakespeare comedy is the love story. The love story is often the basis for all of the action throughout the play. Much Ado About Nothing is a perfect example of this idea because there are two love stories going on at the same time. These romances come from opposite ends of the spectrum. One couple is Beatrice and Benedick; the other is Claudio and Hero. The reader learns everything about these couples throughout the play. The two couples in Much Ado About Nothing possess some of the same relationship traits, but at times it is obvious that there disparity between their relationships.

Beatrice and Benedict make one of the most famous couples created by Shakespeare. This couple represents the epitome of a "love/hate" relationship. They share many things in common. Both are cynical when it comes to love and resist the idea of love and marriage.

They both are witty and intellectual, which leads to many wars of words between the two. In the beginning of the novel, the hate between these lovers is evident. Beatrice says to Benedict, "I wonder that you will still be talking, Signor Benedict. Nobody marks you" (I.i.110). Benedict comes back with, "What, my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yet living?" (I.i.112). The instant hostility Beatrice and Benedict show for each other indicates that both have some sort of feelings for the other, whether it is love or hate. On the surface, the emotion present appears to be hate. However, a trick pulled by Don Pedro, Claudio, and others reveals that the reactions these two experience are brought about by their secret love for one another. Their cynical attitude towards love prevents them from allowing themselves to admit their love for each other until Claudio and Hero...