Blog #3: Benedick over Claudio as the stand up guy

Early in the story, Claudio and Benedick seem like polar opposites when it comes to love and women. Claudio is the eager one, falling madly in love with Hero, while Benedick curses love and the idea of giving his heart to only one woman. Claudio has the characteristics of a great protagonist. He is the kind lord of Florence who has won great acclaim for fighting under Don Pedro. His vulnerable nature toward love makes him very likeable.
Although Benedick doesn't share Claudio's passion for love and commitment, he is also a very likeable character. He is constantly performing for the benefit of others. This makes it difficult to realize whether or not he has been in love with Beatrice from the beginning of the play. Nevertheless, it is Benedicks wittiness that makes him a great character.
At the end of the day, Benedick is the true hero. Claudio proves to be disrespectful and unforgiving once he learns of Hero's affairs. Claudio should not believe a known villain like Don John. If he loved hero as much as he led on, then he would have questioned the accusations, instead of writing his love off so easily.
On the other hand, Benedick remains loyal to Beatrice, once he is convinced of her love for him. He even leaves his services to Don Pedro and challenges Claudio to a dual after Hero's disgrace, showing his loyalty to Beatrice and her family. Benedick clearly proves to be the stand up guy in the end.

Beatrice is an excellent wife for Benedick

Throughout the play, Beatrice and Benedick are deceiving themselves into believing they feel nothing for each other. Because the arguments between them are so "witty", the audience is led to believe that their disdain for each other is not sincere. The fact that Beatrice and Benedick are dismissive of the opposite sex and believe that they will stay unattached forever only magnifies their similarities and supports Don Pedro's belief that they are meant to be together. This self deception that they show is becomes even more apparent in act 2, scene 1, the scene at the masked ball. Benedick's desire to find out what Beatrice truly thinks of him is a certain sign of his interest in her. Leonato is also doubtful of Beatrice's commitment to single life. He hopes that she will one day find a husband. Also, throughout the first two scenes, it is evident that Don Pedro and Leonato have Beatrice and Benedick's best interests at heart and would not try to match them up if they didn't feel they were right for each other. Clearly, Leonato does not share Don Pedro's passion when it comes to uniting Beatrice and Benedick ( Leonato says to Don Pedro: "My Lord, I am for you, though it cost me ten nights' watchings". Meaning that Don Pedros plan will keep leonato up for nights.) Still, Leonato is on board with the plan. Finally, at the end of act 2, scene 1, Don Pedro's praise of Benedick upon Hero is a way to enlighten Beatrice of Benedick"s "noble strain", and "approved valor".

Shakespeare's World Life and Death

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Shakespeare's World Life and Death

After reading "Shakespeare's World", it is difficult to imagine how anyone could enjoy the theatre at a time of such hardship, restriction, violence and morbidity. With an average life expectancy under thirty years in the 1500's, how could anyone have any aspirations or dreams? Especially with little hope on the horizon. It's shocking how a world with no antiseptics, limited understanding of disease, food shortages, and a plague could produce history's greatest playwright. I was also surprised to hear of the cruel and unusual punishment that took place during the Shakespeare era. From something as little as a slapping to a beheading or hanging, people clearly had less regard for human life than they do today. What's even more disturbing is that people found these events as a form of entertainment, as nearly twenty to thirty people a day were executed in front of large crowds. Finally, It was shocking to realize how certain social and cultural ideas in the 16th century do not differ much from the present day. For example, Executions of convicts in America today allow for an audience. Families of a murder victim can watch a man or woman die in the electric chair. It may not be as primitive as watching a hanging but the same concept applies. Also, five centuries after the English had divided the population into two groups, "rich" and "poor", we still continue this idea of "groups" in a society consisting of upper, lower and middle class. I don't believe it is a coincidence that Shakespeare's tragedies emerged later in his career. Perhaps he became more aware of the problems existing in his era and knew there would be little to know change regarding health, politics, family values, and other issues during his lifetime. Clearly in history, movies and plays have served as a portal for people to escape the harsh realities of everyday life, enabling them to imagine a worse, or dream of a better life. It is surprising to me that Shakespeare could have such a passion for his craft and deliver his visions so artistically in such a grim world.

Shakespear's World Life and Death