The Battle of Wits

Much Ado About Nothing portrays a hilarious and ironic relationship between Benedick and Beatrice. The way Shakespeare makes them hate each other in the beginning makes their eventual love so much funnier. The relationship goes through many stages where they sort of fight, but I believe that they liked each other all along.
Benedick’s relationship with Beatrice in the beginning of the play reminds me much of a boy and girl that like each other in kindergarten. They bicker endlessly every time they see each other. It may be their way of showing like for one another. I think it represents a sort awkwardness between them considering they have been together before. The reason I think that is because of how the movie showed a specific scene of them fighting with all their wit. After being stung by an intense comment and Benedick walks off so he could claim victory. Beatrice becomes sad by Benedick’s “move” if you will and mutters under her breath that it is typical of him to walk away from a situation rather than fight it through. It shows some unhappiness and maybe shows that she still wants to be with him and wishes he could be open and honest rather than fighting every time they meet. If that were to ever happen they would need the help of an outside force.
Their feelings finally come out with the help of their friends. The work of Claudius, Leonato, and the Prince allow for Beatrice and Benedick to consider loving each other. With their help it gives Benedick and Beatrice the opportunity to come clean with their feelings. I think Shakespeare is showing a major idea about human nature. It is impossible to interact as humans in a positive way if the people don’t open their minds. Benedick and Beatrice finally speak openly and realize that they actually love each other. They went from saying that they will never die married” to celebrating love.
A relationship, being sexual or friendly, will never work without honesty. Even then it might still be too awkward to function properly. Shakespeare’s portrayal of Benedick’s and Beatrice’s comical bickering helps show us how to lighten up and be open to share our true feelings. An idea or tradition may be in the way of letting good things happen between people but all barriers must be shed if we are to truly be human.