Beatrice

The play //Much Ado about Nothing// is a comedy by William Shakespeare. It features the lives of Beatrice, her cousin Hero, her mortal enemy Benedict, and his companions Claudio and Don Pedro. After returning from battle, the prince Don Pedro seeks shelter at Beatrice’s uncle estate. He brings Benedict, his court jester, and Claudio with him. Beatrice and Benedict have an old feud that is only inflamed by Benedict’s presence. Then, Claudio seeks Hero’s hand in marriage, and Don Pedro then decided that Benedict would be happy in marriage with the independent Beatrice. Hero convinces Beatrice that Benedict loves her, and Claudio does the same to Benedict.
 * Synopsis**

Everything appears to be going well for the two couples until; Don John (Don Pedro jealous brother) engenders a plot to publicly shame Hero’s virtue. Claudio, believing Hero to be unfaithful, leaves her for dead on their wedding day. Enraged by this shame, Beatrice convinces Benedict to seek revenge for Hero’s sake, each thinking they are doing their actions out of love for each other. In the end, the plot is discovered and Hero agrees to marry an apologetic Claudio. Of course, Benedict and Beatrice discover that neither of them actually loved the other, but do agree to stay together. Don John is perused after fleeing the city and brought to justice.

**Archetype: Byronic Hero** Throughout the play, Beatrice is portrayed as an independent, outspoken young maiden. She admits to being dogmatic and candidly speaks her mind to anyone willing or not to listen. Beatrice is a Byronic hero; she embodies key traits such as distaste for society’s functions, suffering from titanic passions, hidden (or not so hidden) pride, and is not impressed by rank. Beatrice is the daughter of a noble man, and is a respected member of the noble class. However, she does not behave as the noble woman should. She is constantly being contrasted to her quiet lady-like cousin, Hero. Hero docilely does as he father wishes, and marries Claudio because it is her role to do so. Beatrice, on the other hand, shows her discuss for the expectations of her by mocking any suggestion that she should marry. In Act II scene i Beatrice tells her uncle, “Just, if he send me no husband: for the which blessing I am at him upon my knees every morning and evening.” (page 42). Beatrice is thankful for not having a husband, disapproving of the whole notion that women should be expected to marry. She wishes to be man, so that she can shed the expectations of her and do as she pleases. Beatrice does not care how other perceives her, but she does care how others perceive her family. When tranquil Hero is wrongly shamed, Beatrice is so overcome by her rage that she convinces Benedict to avenge her, betraying his friend. While talking to Benedict, Beatrice cries “O God, that I were a man! I would eat hi heart in the market-place.” (page 84.) Similar to Victor’s creature, Beatrice uses her language to bend others to her will. Both the creature and Beatrice suffer from their passions, allowing the passions to drive their actions. Unlike the creature, Beatrice’s passionate anger drives her thoughts and eventually leads to a happy ending for both Hero and herself. Beatrice prides herself in being dogmatic and unfit to a quiet, obedient wife. Although in the end Beatrice does in fact fall for Benedict, she strives to be forever alone. She is pleased to be candid and stubborn, claiming in allows her to stay unmarried. Beatrice claims that she is “Too curst is more than curst. I shall lessen God’s sending that way, for it is said, ‘God sends a curst cow short horns,’ but to a cow too curst he sends none.” (page 42) Again, Hero, a foil to Beatrice, conveys Beatrice’s hidden pride by being respectful, and docile and agreeing to be married to Claudio. Beatrice’s pride, however, is not an impenetrable bastion; as her prideful manner is soften by Benedict’s supposed love for her. Beatrice, although a noble woman herself, is not entirely impressed by the stature of others. After Hero’s fall from grace, Beatrice curses the prince Don Pedro and Count Claudio for the shame they brought on Hero. She wishes to avenge them, but being incapable of doing so (blaming this on the fact that she is a woman.) Beatrice cries out at Benedict “Is a not approved in the height a villain, that hath slander, scorned, dishonored my kinswomen? O that I were a man!” (page 84.) Similarly, the Dark Knight, another Byronic Hero, distaste special treatment for those who believe themselves above the rest. Both Batman and Beatrice are themselves part of the upper class, but want justice to be equal to all. However, while Batman is shunned from Gotham city, Beatrice helps to avenge Hero and have justice brought on Don John. Beatrice is a witty, individualistic, noble woman who embodies the traits of a Byronic Hero. Her pride and passions allow her to avenge her disgraced cousin and even rekindle an old love. She fights for what she believes in and does not allow others to sway her against her will.

**How to speak like Beatrice** Think of that one person who you just cannot stand. With he or she is mind, do you want to learn the secret to triumphing over him or her every time? Follow Beatrice’s example from Much Ado about Nothing, she easily out wits Benedict. A combination of her speech and behavior is the key to her success. Just follow these steps and you are guaranteed to win every feud, just like her. Beatrice uses several types of figurative language in her daily speech, including personification. In doing this, she is able to describe characteristics that she has or finds in others. The personification aids her quick witty behavior, especially when she is quarreling with Benedict. Example from text: “Is it possible Disdain should die, while she hath such meet food to feed it as Signor Benedict? Courtesy itself must convert to Disdain if you come in her presence.” Page 33 The personification allows Beatrice to quickly respond to Benedict and convey that she has no intent to cease her insults. The personification is wittier than simple saying “Why would I stop my insults if you are here for me to tell them to?” She uses personification to flame the fires of the ongoing feud between Benedict and herself. The next time you want to win an argument, use a bit of personification to stump your opponent. Instead of saying “You will never find true love.” say, “Not even Lady Love could find you a suitable mate for your relationship with Lady Envy is too great.” Beatrice is emotional and is easily vexed when she feels as if she or her family is being attacked. When she is in one of her heated passions, she speaks in fragments, unable to organize her thoughts. She speaks her mind without pausing to present them in the proper manner. Example from text: “Princes and counties! Surely a princely testimony, a goodly count, Count Comfect- a sweet gallant surely. O that I were a man for his sake! Or that I had any friend would be a man for my sake!” Page 84 Outraged, Beatrice yells all of her anger at Benedict, who, wishing to please her, agrees to request. The rhetorical fragments are used to depict the extent of Beatrice’s rage. These fragments differ from the usual elegant language that Beatrice uses, and the contrast conveys that she will not be silenced until she get her way. Had Beatrice said “Those two have shamed Hero, and I want to seek revenge on them,” her true anger would not have shown and Benedict would not betray his friends for her. When you are overwhelmed with anger, do not try to compose yourself. Just let the thoughts fly out of your mouth as soon as the swim into your head. Don’t waste time saying “I am upset because you lied to me.” Just cry out “Lies and deceit! Curses, curses upon you!” Beatrice uses metaphor to depict her feelings towards others and her personal views. The metaphor allows her to speak her mind candidly while still sounding like a proper noble lady. Example from text: “What fire in my ears?” Page 63 Beatrice uses fire to describe the shocking and upsetting news that she just over heard (the lie that Benedict loves her.) The metaphor conveys her surprise in an elegant way, showing her elevated status. If she had said “I’m surprised to hear this unusual news,” she would lose the bulk of her elevated speech and the emotion that is conveyed when using such language. The next time you want to convey your thoughts with less words, don’t say “Your face is ugly, with its small, distrustful features.” Instead simply say “The face of a rat you have.” This gets the point across and fewer words means less time for your foe to think of a comeback. To tie all of the different techniques Beatrice uses in her speech, she uses clever wit to win any dispute. She speaks her mind, usually about her dislike of marriage and Benedict, while still sounding like a proper lady. She uses her figurative language to quickly respond to any remark Benedict can throw at her. Example from text: “Benedict: Well you are a rare parrot-teacher. Beatrice: A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.” Page 34 Beatrice achieves wit with another metaphor and insulting Benedict at the same time. Their long time feud is feud by her clever comebacks to any remark Benedict makes. In addition, her wit includes puns that add to Benedict’s embarrassment and add comic relief to most situations. The next time you find yourself in a battle of wits, use a play on your opponent words. If they say “You are as destructive as an angry bird.” Then reply “And like an angry bird, my destruction is aimed at the fat pigs.” This way you turn his or her attack against them, which will hopefully bring the conversation to a quick triumphant end. As with any independent woman, Beatrice is dogmatic to the point of sin. She admits to this, but believes it to be a blessing, a special quality that she wouldn’t trade for the world. She uses her natural stubbornness to get what she wants, and is so persistent that all just give in to her will. Example from text: “Too curst is more than curst. I shall lessen God’s sending that way, for it is said, ‘God sends a curst cow short horns,’ but to a cow too curst he sends none.” Page 42 Beatrice uses the allusion to convey her joy in being dogmatic and un-wanting of a husband. She claims to be too undesirable, which keeps her from ever having a husband. Of course, this is exactly what she desires and is determined to keep it that way. Use this usually undesirable quality to your advantage. Stick to your gut and do not give in to anyone. Lightheartedly admit to this minor flaw in your personality, but stick to your instinct and avoid any sort of compromise. Follow these simple steps and you too will be winning any battle of wits, just like Beatrice. But be warned, these arguments can be confused for feelings for love by your friends. This can lead to a plot to set the two of you up, ending in the two of you actually having feelings for each other.
 * Step 1: Personification**
 * Step 2: Rhetorical Fragments**
 * Step 3: Metaphor**
 * Step 4: Witty Remarks**
 * Step 5: Stubbornness**

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 * Movie Trailer (Yes, the guy who played Hamlet is Benedick)**